Let's start at the beginning, shall we?

We all have to start somewhere, but we don't all have to start at the same line. My beginning was a tad bit unorthodox, but as soon as I started, it went by in a snap.

When I started my journey at Johnson and Wales University, I wasn’t what you’d consider a “traditional” student. If 17 was young, and 30 was old, then at age 23 I was considered middle aged. I chose to go into it full heartedly and live the entire experience- dorm life and all. I was accepted and started off my four year journey with the intention of receiving an associates in science- culinary arts and a bachelors in business management- food service management.

September 2^nd, I packed up my 1999 jeep Cherokee, gave my dad a hug- which was just as a surprise to me as it was to him, and headed to Providence. 

 

All cute and perky in my freshman uniform

Move in day was so very chaotic and confusing. I waited in my jeep in line for 2 hours, until I made it to the front door of my dorm. I was told to unload all my things onto a spot in the parking lot and that volunteers would move all my things to my room- since I was told prior to move in to label everything. I promptly unpacked my jeep, got back in a found a parking spot in Guam and made it back to my dorm about 45 minutes later…only to find out that all my things were sitting in the parking lot still. Great way to start off my year..with a workout. lovely. I mean culinary kids don't eat for a living or anything......

After lugging everything myself to my dorm- which was at the very end of the hall mind you, I learned that I was the first one to move in. I took dibs on the only bed not bunked and started to unpack.

My roomates arrived and I was so ready to be instant friends and share tons of inside jokes and have girly slumber parties everynight and all that jazz. Hahaha man was I sorely disappointed.

I had 2 roommates- one from Brooklyn, one from Jersey. Neither of which spoke much- which was the case literally all year. Somehow I managed to get the room for Hermits. The Brooklyn girl literally never made friends. She ate every meal in the room, and never went out. I invited her to everything I did for the first month but gave up eventually. The jersey girl eventually made friends but not really until 2^nd trimester. Both girls were pastry students- so I really had nothing in common with them, as their programs of study were completely different than mine- including levels of discipline. 

If their personal demeanor wasn’t enough, neither one of them decorated their part of the room. Nothing about their space said that anyone even lived there. It looked like they were there to spend one night and that was it. It was as if they wanted to create their own personal hell.  Meanwhile here I am, 23 years old, covered in tattoos, hanging up posters of pinup girls and Moulin rouge. Ewan McGregor everywhere. I wasn’t about to let their lack of enthusiasm rain on my parade.  

 

We weren't allowed to paint, so posters were mainly our source of decoration....looking back now, I have a million ideas of what I should have done.

I had the luxury of living only 45 minutes from campus, so I was able to unpack then bring home all the empty boxes and containers, giving me space under my bed for a hideaway clubhouse

pushing my desk and dresser together gave me ample space to load even more shit on top. Including my extremely necessary fish tank- something I've always had in my life.

My pin up girls and need to always have Ewan McGregor around has never changed since I was a teenager.

In response, I threw myself into my classes and made friends quickly. It was a little difficult being so much older than most of the students- especially being over 21 and living on a dry campus. But I was never much of a partier so I didn’t suffer that much haha however the constant nagging to buy for people was extremely annoying. 

I hated my academic classes- thought they were a waste of time. But absolutely loved my labs/kitchen courses. I learned so much in such a small amount of time. I couldn’t get enough. I took workshops and attended every extra opportunity to learn something new.

Meatcutting with the dreaded Mr. Fuchs. It was such a stressful course that my best friend made a shirt for me that reads " I survived meatcutting with Mr. Fuchs" and to this day has been one of my greatest accomplishments.

Beer tasting with Mr. Choice. Hands down one of my favorite instructors- one of which fully embraced my lack of grace and took my "bull-in-china-shop" demeanor with such great patience.

Nutrition lab. The course that changed my entire prospective on food and how to utilize its components. Bread pudding and tiramisu duo utilizing the natural sugars of vegetables to sweeten the dish vs cane sugar.

Again, nutrition lab. this was my practical dish. Duck two ways, a saffron infused wild rice, raspberry reduction and an herb greek yogurt sauce.

packing up again...including my classroom hubby.

packed up and ready to move...again.

Spring tri of freshman year I found myself involved in ResLife and became an RA. I stayed on campus over the summer and worked as an RA for orientation- which I did every summer following.

The most amazing staff I had the honor of being a part of.

My experience in ResLife is a whole other story-one of which will be quite the novel to compose.  I built several relationships that mean the world to me, but most of all, my experience at Johnson and Wales not only educated my mind but greatly assisted me in truly finding myself and my passion. Continue to follow along as I share my passion with the world, through The Artisan Rooster.