Iceland, you've really done it this time!

Beach is stuck in Iceland. That damn volcano has decided to spu ash again, and she's stuck, ALONE in Iceland! The poor thing had to take a bus for 6 hours in Iceland, and is hoping to get to Paris tomorrow. I'm just so darn SICK of this volcano! Sure it was funny the first time Gill said her plane was canceled due to a volcano, but this just isn't funny anymore!

This week has been pretty quiet around LCB. Monday we had demo then practical and made the most delicious meal. We made pan fried steak, turned potatoes cooked in goose fat, a celery flan and madeira sauce, and I have to say...I killed it! We had Chef Thivet who has really grown on me. In demos he seems completely disorganized and not prepped, but manages to finish with plenty of time remaining and is just so happy all the time! I really like him. We had him in practical and I was nervous, I've never gotten more than a "bon travaille" or "bien' from him and because he did the demo, I wanted to knock it out of the park. It was really fun, we got to decorate the top of the flan with blanched strips of leek leaves and carrot and celery root rounds. I thought I would hate that part, but I actually really liked it. I got a 'magnifique' from Chef Thivet and he said my sauce was 'parfait'. I was thrilled!

Here's a picture of the dish after he had tasted it, so it was a little messy.



We had our student soiree on Wednesday night which was SUPER fun at this bar in the 6th. It's so great seeing everyone all dolled up and letting loose together, but I'll tell you what: there are about 25 people that I know! I didn't recognize anyone!

Well I'm off to study and pray that Beach arrives tomorrow morning, I can't imagine what she's doing in Iceland!

A bientot!

Iceland, you've really done it this time!

I love Paris in the Springtime

I'm a bad blogger. I've had about 75 blog drafts done, but haven't pulled the trigger. Many apologies, I know my sisters get upset when I don't update!

Things in Paris are unreal (still). It's hard to imagine what life would be like if I weren't here doing this right now. My friends and I have been talking about what happens when we're done here- like will calling Anthony be my first order of business everyday? Will I ever ride a bike in a line with all my friends again? Will I ache missing being in the kitchens at LCB all day? Sometimes I find myself getting very emotional about when this is all over. These people and this school I've been in have been so amazing that I can't imagine life after LCB. So let's put that out of our minds for now.

Since I was stranded in Paris and couldn't meet Mom in Spain, I somehow managed to live through the weekend and had a great time with her when she passed through Paris. We walked around, had a picnic in the Champ de Mars, had high tea at Mariage Freres, just had fun. I have since recovered from the burns, but not without a bruised ego. Chef Caals, among others have taken to calling me 'main au feu' (hand of fire) and are sure to mention that you shouldn't burn yourself at this point.

After having very low confidence, I'm feeling like I did at the end of basic, like I'm in my groove and doing well. The last 4 practicals I've killed it and am really looking forward to kicking ass the rest of intermediate. I'm so thankful that I've hit my stride again, nothing is worse than low confidence when you're in culinary school!

I leave you with a promise to be better about blogging and a before and after shot of my work today. (warning: sort of graphic picture of a skinned rabbit)

A bientot!