School, Work and Winter

As nerdy as it may sound, I am ready for the school year to begin. Yes it is summer, the weather is nice and hot, everybody is hanging out swimming and/or with friends all day and all night because there is no homework to be turned in the next day (unless their doing summer school or taking summer classes). I'm ready to be back on campus, head in the books and being that much closer to my Bachelors degree. I have one big goal for this school year, to be able to study abroad in Italy. The program is very competitive and I hope to be one of the chosen few like the kids being able to visit the Willy Wonka factory.

Me on the other hand, I have been working the whole summer and it will continue to be like this for the next 2 months. I love it though, working at the restaurant is always exciting and I may be able to have one of my dishes be ran for a special. I believe that the kitchen team will be speaking sometime this week on menu changes and what not. I have pitched one dish I would like to try, I was told by the Executive Chef to create the recipe and bring it in to him. So that's where my time is going to after work, writing in my composition book recipe ideas.

The Winter season is without a doubt my favorite season of all. The snow, the style of clothes I can wear, living by the mountains and knowing that there is plenty to do up there. I love everything about winter! Also with my "Switching Styles" mission, I am already ordering new clothes for the Winter in order to upgrade my style and be prepared before anybody else is.

Well those are my thoughts for right now. I have to get ready for another day of work. Not complaining because I have this Friday off and it's Pay Day Friday. I think I can survive another 4 days of work knowing that I have a pretty nice check coming up. If you have any updates on what you are doing let me know, I don't want to be selfish by sitting here and not hearing what you have been doing with your life so far this summer! :)

Exausted is the Feeling

Every day, every hour it seems like I am either working, doing work that has to do with school or taking care of personal business. Don't get me wrong, I know the schedule I put myself in and all though I am very happy with everything, I would really love just a day of absolutely nothing to do! I look at my planner and there doesn't seem to be an off day in the week anywhere!

Co-op: This is going pretty good if I say so myself. With my transition of sites I am at Encore Restaurant in Denver, CO. I am learning how to effectively work on the line the most consistent and fastest way I can. The food is amazing, the chefs are helpful and the constructive criticism only makes me want to do better the next time.

Food Writing class: Oh how I love this class! The one night out of the week when I am in Food Writing class I am able to sharpen up on my writing skills and focus on what I love most in a different view, through writing! I have some article topics in mind and as I don't have all the time to sit down and write them, I type my ideas in my phone and then refer back to them when I do have free time to focus solely on my work.

Personal life: Well with the little free time that I do get, I usually spend it listening to music, reading or organizing my schedule in my planner. Although things are becoming better as I am in contact with my best friend more often now. Graduation is in a month and then the summer break is here! OH HOW I CAN NOT WAIT! Project and sessions with the CLI are going good, highlight video conversations (you'll see when it happens) and of course wanting to blog but never having the time to. I will though try my hardest to blog as much as I can daily even if it is only a couple of sentences.

Overall, I am exhausted beyond all belief, I know that at the end of the tunnel there is a light and it screams to me "When you reach me understand you're hard work was all worth it, now take time off to realize it!" I guess its the life of being a college student huh?

- Kenon Thompson

First Trip to NYC (The Unoffical Countdown)

The pre-planning has come, the time I can finally say that I am planning my first trip ever to NYC!!!!! I don't think anyone understands how excited I really am travel there. The atmosphere from research and pictures just seems amazing, just think about how much better it is in person? Times Square..... just saying that gives me chills. I know that when I get there I will not and do not plan on going to sleep! I do have certain reasons though on why this trip is so important to me.

Being able to travel to NYC lets me know personally that all the hard work, the pain, the stress, the success and the failures all paid off. Knowing that what was once a dream, I'm able to make reality. After college I want to..... no I will move to New York City in quest of becoming the best chef in the world. I don't care if I have to start way at the bottom of the kitchen brigade because overall a real chef's work is measured by their work ethic, passion, determination and respect for food.

So date plans for the trips...... Plan on making that trip around the Christmas week where I will be able to celebrate and welcome in the new year for the first time in NYC! I'm so excited about this trip and I will let nothing get in the way of this.

Unoffical countdown 297 days!

- Kenon Thompson


All pictures courtsey of Brian Dubé. Website: http://newyorkdailyphoto.com

Fire and ice

Picture courtsey of Brian Dubé: Website: http://newyorkdailyphoto.com

Gustavino

Picture courtsey of Brian Dubé: Website: http://newyorkdailyphoto.com

Sun, Moon and Stars

Picture courtsey of Brian Dubé: Website: http://newyorkdailyphoto.com