First and foremost - something good came out of all this snow! I got the day off of work today! Woo hoo! No - seriously - WOO HOO!!! :)

Secondly, I'm all packed and ready to fly home tomorrow! Finally a real vacation!!! First things first - I want a tan! Second, I need to get my hair hooked up.  My favorite hairstylist ever works at Butterfly Salon and Spa so hopefully she can beautify me like she always does. :)

Thirdly, I'm excited for my appointment at Le Cordon Bleu on Wednesday!  I hope that you won't brand me a "flip flopper" but I think I've come full circle with my life plans.  Having given it further thought, I've decided not to pursue Interior Design.  Not because I'm not absolutely interested in it or wouldn't like to do it.  It's just that I'm a little iffy on the long-term outlook of being an interior designer and I had a moment of "divine inspiration" while at dinner with my family the other night.  My pan-seared scallops and cauliflower puree spoke to me.  Long story short - I want to go to culinary school.  That is my final answer. lol I have a meeting on Wednesday and if all goes well I will be starting school in April!

As for what to do with myself today - I'm gonna go get a wash and a blow-dry so my hair looks nice and purrrrty for my trip home tomorrow.  My mom may or may not be coming over today for an early Christmas... it depends on if the snow plower comes to plow her street!  Hopefully she does bc I want to open some presents!!! :) Plus we were gonna eat some prime rib! (drool...)  Even if they don't - hopefully I can talk Ralph into opening ours tonight since we won't be together on Christmas.  He has to work the day after and so he couldn't get the time off to go home until New Years.  I think he is gonna be soooo happy with everything I bought him!!!

::sigh::

Life Plan 2.0 3.0

All that business I wrote about getting back home to Miami ASAP and going to culinary school... it seems like it was so long ago and not 4 months ago when I thought I had my life all figured out.

Sooo... where to begin...

It has occurred to me that going to culinary school may not be the greatest idea after all.  Not because I don't want to go to culinary school and learn everything there is to know about cooking and baking - but because I'm reconsidering (and most likely eliminating) it as a means to a future career.  I think baking as my 365-day-a-year job for the next 30+ years of my life would take the joy out of it.  (I repeat: I think.)

So I've decided to look into pursuing my other area of interest: interior design.  I signed up for two open houses this week.  One is at the Art Institute of Washington and the other is at Corcoran College of Art and Design. I'm hoping to get all my questions answered about tuition, financial aid, and my eligibility to be accepted into these schools. So I'll be keeping you posted on how that goes.

PS  - Did I mention that my life mentor, Tim Gunn, attended Corcoran?!?!

“I first took a summer class at the Corcoran…and had the most extraordinary educational experience I’ve ever had. For the first time in my life the answer wasn’t in the back of the book. For the first time in my life it was really in me…. It was then that I knew that I really wanted to apply to the diploma program … and I started out on a journey, the likes of which I could never have anticipated.”

– Tim Gunn 
 

I also feel like I'm growing much more independent with age.  I've always found myself happy being someone else's other half - but I've been feeling this strong surge of independence lately.  It started off as a small tingle... but the sensation has just been growing.  I feel like I am growing. Changing. Finally moving in a forward direction whereas for the last two years I've felt stagnant and unfulfilled.  I suppose this was inevitable - as I've been someone's other half for the last 10 years of my life.  (Since I was 15!)  At no point have I been on my own, not having to take someone else's feelings into consideration for practically every single decision I make each day, not having to compromise my own needs to fulfill someone else's.  I don't think it's so much that I want to be single as I just feel like I at least need some breathing room to focus on myself and the things I need to accomplish.

I feel like I need to take the reins and live my life for myself. Start taking care of myself more. Do what makes me happy. Get my ass back to school and become something I will be happy to be for the next 30+ years.

I want an apartment in the city.  I want to see every sight there is to see in DC.  I want to go out with my friends as much as humanly possible and experience all the life that DC has to offer.  The more time I spend up here the more I realize that it's quite wonderful.

I feel like it's time that I start truly living as opposed to merely existing.  Life is too precious and far too short to simply exist.  I hope my future posts are full of accomplishments and new adventures.  Please hold me fully accountable for my ramblings. :)
 

I need to own this pink dress.  And I want my engagement photos to look just like this. (Minus the creepy bug pin.)



And these have got to be the most perfect save-the-dates EVER.  Perfectly me at least. :)

As of today, my 5-year plan is as follows:

Life goal:  Do what you love.  Have a career that makes you happy.

5-year goals:

1. Move back to Florida
2. Open a bakery/cupcakery
3. Get married
4. Make babies

Current timeline:
March 2010

• Transfer to the DoD Tampa office to continue my life as a DoD auditor in the sweet Florida sunshine.  Move to... Lakeland?... or some other halfway mark between Tampa and Orlando.

Sometime between March 2010 and, oh, let's say December 2011 for now.

• Enroll in some form of culinary school for baking and pastry -with a focus on the entrepreneurship aspects of the business as well. 
• Ralph will be enrolling in MMT - some motorcycle mechanic college - because he wants to open up his own Orange County Choppers inspired shop. 
• Ralph's 17 year old nephew may very well move in with us to attend MMT as well (based on Ralph's idea of owning a family business and his nephew's eagerness to do it).
• Ralph seems to want to see if his niece would like to move up as well and attend culinary school so she can work with me in my future bakery.  I'll have two kids and never have gotten pregnant! lol
• Get married.

From January 2012- December 2014...

• Really start digging into opening my own bakery/cupcakery.  Gain as much knowledge and life experience as possible!
• Make a baby! (I guess I gotta do this by 2014... I turn 30 that year!)

I'm not gonna lie - this whole baby thing seems like it's coming up too quickly!  I don't even know WHEN I would be knowledgeable and experienced enough to open a bakery.  Hopefully during culinary school I can get a part-time job at a bakery to get some on-the-job life experience.  If not, then I'll tack that on to my January 2012 plans.  I just can't imagine running my own business and dealing with a baby.  I'm pretty sure opening my own place may fall a few years outside of my 5-year plan.  So maybe the kid will be big enough to go to elementary school by the time all this goes down.  Most entrepreneurs don't wind up with their own business until they are in their 30s anyway. Besides, it will take alot of learning and preparation to do something as big as open my own shop anyway.

So - that's my life plan as of today.  And I'm happy with it!

Watching fireworks on the lawn in front of the Washington Monument = priceless.

Visiting the past at Mount Vernon, touring the former estate of George and Martha Washington, and standing in front of their tomb = awe-inspiring

Sampling the NOM NOMs at Ben's Chili Bowl = Obama-riffic

My 4th of July weekend was leaps and bounds better than last year's debacle.  And one of the most memorable ones by far.

Hooray. <3

Eff.

Make that FML.

For the last TWO WEEKS my air conditioning has been BROKEN.  My house is hot and sticky and I am miserable! On one hand, it forces me to get out of the house and do something.  On the other - gimme an effing break!  I have to tote my 3 floor fans from room to room in order to not pass out!

In lighter news, I'm still torn about wedding gowns!  Part of me wants to go long and traditional and the other half would just as well go knee-length and classic.  However I'm quite certain that I don't want a train on the dress.  Trains = ugly poopy fabric bustles.  And I don't want to be swallowed by some princess-poof dress.  SO - my dress will definitely be simple and not fussy.  I recently found some VERY affordable options!  What do you think?

Option 1: Hollywood starlet-inspired



Option 2: Va-va Voom! (*Note: Unfortunately Ralph is not a fan of the mermaid fit. That bum! lol)

 

Option 3: Soft and romantic (*I like that the lace bolero would cover my tatt.  And cover me in general. I almost like the idea of a more conservative look - showing less skin. - And my hair would definitely NOT be in a ponytail! I would so rock a vintage hair accent.)



Option 4: Jackie Kennedy-inspired (*Hellooooo, birdcage veil!)



Here's a link to the webpage if you want to see the dress w/o the jacket.

1. Exercise, dammit. Just do it already.
2. Clean out fridge.
3. Grocery shop.
4. Go to Megha's and help her decorate cookies.
5. Return terrible Blockbuster movie (Mall Cop) and rent something decent
6. Tidy up house now that guests are gone and vacation is over
7. Wash/fold/put away clothes
8. Personal maintenance: at-home mani, pedi, and facial
9. Cook a healthy but delicious dinner. (Refer to Cooking Light magazines for inspiration.)
10. Read. (*Also consider purchasing book 1 to begin building my 'how to own a baking business' book collection)

I sold my first cake on Friday.  I am officially a cake dealer. (wink wink wink) lol  I have a second cake order in about two weeks for a Winnie the Pooh cake for someone's first b-day.

I have this tingly feeling inside when I think about my future in baking.  Like I should really pursue opening a bakery.  And I totally have ideas - 2 major ones for now that I'm pretty sure are unique.  At least for Pembroke Pines.  But I'm truly scared to talk about them because what if someone steals my idea!  What if someone I tell thinks its a great idea and happens to mention it in passing to someone else and somehow that person - or someone else they know takes it and runs with it before I ever get a chance?

My world would be CRUSHED. :(

I feel like I've really got something here.  But of course I wouldn't totally know without telling other people about it and hearing them go "oh, what a great idea! people would love that!"

 

See my problem?  What's a girl to do?  - Besides make her confidants swear a blood oath of secrecy? lol (j/p, folks.)

Anyhow, Ralph worked today so I had the afternoon to myself.  I decided to go to the mall and browse all the girl stores I never get to go in when I come with Ralph.  I ended up treating myself to a few pieces from NY & Co.  Normally, I don't shop.  And if I do I don't spend much money (usually less than $50).  It's weird because ever since Ralph and I created a joint bank account last year I've been afraid to spend any money on myself.  I don't feel like it's mine to spend.  It's "ours".  And I shouldn't be making selfish purchases with it.  Which is absurd really.  The healthy thing to do is have "yours, mine, and ours" allocations in our income so that either one of us could spend money on personal items and not feel guilty about it.  I guess the thing of it is that we have spent the last year paying off debts so we haven't had much free money to mess around with anyway.  But now that all debts are almost paid we do have a little more breathing room.  I think I'll sit down and talk to him about it in the near future.  Maybe even tomorrow.  I'm not much of a shopper but my wardrobe is in dire need of some sprucing up.

So I spent $150 today (omg - i know - i totally "went crazy") at NY & Co. and bought myself a few things for work.  My work wardrobe is PATHETIC.  Dress code is business casual but most days I don't even feel like I look very professional at all.  The store was having one of its usual sales today and collared, short-sleeved work shirts were on sale for $15!  I'm normally CHEAP when it comes to shopping but $15 for a work shirt is totally reasonable!  So is $30 but it's a stretch to get me to pay $30 or more for a shirt.  I'm trying to overcome my penny pinching ways - I know you get what you pay for in most situations and that's why all the work clothes I bought from Steve & Barry's last year are about to go in the garbage!  Tim Gunn would be so disappointed in me if he saw my work wardrobe.

But not anymore!  I bought great pieces today.  I'm especially in love with my apple green cardigan/sleeveless ruffle top combo.  I finally own a khaki pant as well.  Finally I will go to work feeling confident about my appearance! :)

Ralph's parents are flying up on Thursday.  His sister and her bf are flying up on Friday.  And first thing Saturday morning we are all piling in a van and driving to Niagara Falls for Memorial Day weekend.  Ralph planned this trip for his father bc apparently his dad has always dreamed of seeing Niagara Falls.  I was SUPPOSED to be leaving for a business trip the Tuesday after Memorial Day but I'm not sure if it's going to be rescheduled or not.  Holy bah-geez.  I just realized that if I have to go on that business trip I won't be able to make the Winnie the Pooh cake! Boo - I guess hopefully the trip will get rescheduled!

Anyway - I think I'm off to bed.  Hope everyone's having an amazing weekend. <3

So - Wednesday I did end up making some arroz con pollo for Ralph.  I looked online for authentic Cuban recipes but wound up finding an arroz con pollo recipe from Cooking Light magazine!  Bingo!  Forget authentic Cuban - the both of us are on a diet.  How perfect to enjoy a lighter version of one of our favorite meals!  I found the recipe here:

Arroz con Pollo, from Cooking Light magazine

And it was delish!  Hooray! :)

As for David's Bridal... lets just say nothing I tried on made me go "Ohhh my.  This is the one!"  And I learned that an empire waist wedding dress is just not flattering on me!  I went in to try the one dress and the consultant pulled 3 others for me.  They were nice.  But none of them were really doing it for me.  Especially when I got home and uploaded the pics I had the lady take (since I was there all by myself and had no one to give me opinions!).  This was the nicest of the four - I really loved the beadwork on the top and the lace overlay on the bottom.  Probably my ideal combination.  But I felt like the dress was wayyy to heavy on the bottom.  I want to wear the dress - not the dress wear me!

 
 

Oh, and that dress was not my size AND the consultant said they offered it in "petit" so it would be a few inches shorter on the bottom and fit me better since I'm so short!  But like I said - I didn't fall in love with it.  I guess maybe I will try a more fitted dress after all.  Although I read that some lady had hers altered so that it had a sweetheart neckline which I would love... hmm... I'm gonna keep this one as an option I guess because it's definitely in my "dress under $1000" budget.

Other than that, nothing much else is going on.  I found another job I'd like to apply for back home so I'll be doing that soon.  I do think if I move back home that I will wind up enrolling in culinary school.  I'll probably lean more towards the entrepreneur track though.  So we'll see!

For the first time in my professional career, I have taken a sick day without really needing it because I was tired and just didn't want to go to work today.  Mind you, I'm clawing for things to do at work most days anyway.  So I usually wake up and wonder, "how am I gonna kill 8 hours today?"  :(  I can't wait to be busy again.

But I don't want to have skipped work today in vain.  I'm trying to make a list of things to accomplish today.  For one, I want to go to a book store and buy a cookbook for my mom to complete her mother's day gifts.  I would also love to walk around the mall a little...  I definitely need to get off my butt and pop in my workout dvd because I gained all 5 lbs that I lost back so my clothes are back to not fitting again!  That's what I get for being lazy and indulgent.

So far, I've made myself a nice breakfast.  I watched the Morning Show and got great ideas for Mother's Day breakfast and a new mac-n-cheese recipe.

---------------------------------------

"Mother's Day Mac-n-Cheese" - recipe by some twenty-something chef who made it for his mother (and his restaurant)

1 Box pasta shells (cooked)

In the bowl with the pasta shells:

Add Red Onion,

Red bell pepper,

Chipotle puree, (looked like 2 spoons, I'd go with teaspoons since we are talking chipotle here but the guy didn't say.  I don't even know if I would put that much in.)

Pinch of salt,

1 Lb. of baby shrimp (cooked or uncooked I guess.  It looked like it was uncooked.)

In a pan on the stove:

Mix some butter and flour in a pan (they were so vague about this they gave little to no specific instructions about how much to use of anything.  I guess bc the guy makes this at his restaurant), add 1lb jack cheese, (didn't say how much) manchego cheese, and (again, didn't say how much) cotija cheese. He pretty much just had a bowl's worth of each cheese.  "Let it boil down" and add milk so it becomes a cheese sauce. Pour cheese sauce over the macaroni. Pour into a greased casserole dish, add some breadcrumbs on top, and bake for 20-30 minutes at 350.

Apparently it has a kick to it but it's delicious.  I'd like to make it. Maybe I'll try this weekend.  Let me know if you do!

---------------------------------------

Other than that I think I'll pass by David's Bridal and try on my very first wedding dress.  I know I'm all over the place with what I want and such but I've actually shot down wearing a T-length dress.  I DO want to wear a simple dress, but I still want to look like a bride.  And most of the T-length dresses I've seen just don't look very "bride-y", if you will.  So I think I want to try this one on:

David's Bridal Website

It's sort of everything I'd like: sweetheart neckline, a-line, a little embellishment, empire waist, halter top (which works for me bc i have small shoulders), and it's flowy so it will hide my pooch if I don't produce a washboard stomach by my wedding date. :)  I really don't want to have to wear a corset or anything else that would squish my organs and likely upset my gastritis! Tight fitting clothing does that to me.  Makes me feel sick. :(  So I wear alot of spandex and casual dresses these days. - Which has turned out to be both cute as well as functional!  Besides, I want to be comfortable on my wedding day!  I don't want a dress I can't breathe (or eat!) in. :)  But the picture of this girl is pretty much the look I'm going for: this style of dress, a very similar wavy hairstyle, and the same length veil.

So...
- buy mommy's gift
- workout!
- go to david's bridal
- check out L'Academie de Cuisine and figure out what classes are being offered
- go back on USAJobs.com and find additional job offers back home

Oh and I think I want to surprise Ralph with some traditional rice and chicken (arroz con pollo) tonight.  I made it for him the way my grandma makes it (Puerto Rican style) but he is Cuban so I'm gonna try and make it that way.  I'll let you know how that goes.

I guess that's about it. Byeee.