Exciting Futures

Hello Blog Land. I missed out on the June 1st blog entry regarding Family Pride, so I'll do it in a space during this month. Tonight though, is about the future. I'll be working out here in about an hour. Day two of Jillian Michael's 30 Day shred. My regular days off will be Wednesdays and Sundays, but as my second day back, I'm going to motor through. That's my immediate future.

I made a huge decision recently. My family and I made a huge decision. I've been in law enforcement for about 18 years. I've seen a lot of great and awful things. It's been a passion of mine. I love it, but it does wear out your mind, your body and your family. And anyone who knows me, knows my other love in life, is cooking, baking etc etc. I love to be in the kitchen. If I can make something that puts a smile on someone's face, I feel excited. Satisfied. Fulfilled. There arent a lot of things in life you can say that about. Other then the obvious, spouses, children etc.

So, with the support and encouragement of my wife, my sister and a few really amazing friends, I have submitted my application for the August 2011 class at the CIA, Culinary Institute of America in St.Helena (Napa), California. I will be a part of the Baking and Patisserie' class. I will receive my Associates degree in in the program and then try to double major in an accelerated 30 week AA in Culinary Arts.

Jen and I went on a tour with my education counselor last week. It's the most beautiful place I've seen in a long time. I swear it makes you feel like your at Hogwart's in the summer time lol. They just happened to be graduating a Baking and Patisserie' class that day. Ironic. I think not. Amazing are the only words that come to mind. I was close to tears several times during our tour, from sheer excitement and yearning to be there.

We saw the chocolate room where they had just finished a competition. There were amazing chocolate scultpures and one sugar show piece. The room was cold, with it's marble slabs chilled for working with the delicacy that is chocolate. Upstairs we watched as a new class was learning the art of making eclairs and beniet's. Detail. Perfection. Beauty. I wanted to pull on a white coat right there.

There is an 18 week externship that can be anywhere in the world. I'm hoping to do mine in Portland believe it or not. There are some amazing people there who are top dogs in the industry. I would love to eventually be competing in sugar and/or chocolate on a large scale. I will have an acceptance letter in March of next year. It sounds far away, but I know it will come quickly. We decided to wait until the August 2011 class because we'll have no bills by that time, and it will make things much smoother.

I cant even say I'm nervous. I know it's going to be tough, but I also know I'm going to do very well. I'm so lucky to have the loving supportive people in my life that I do. So, here I go. Second career, check.