Day 3

Today was a good day. I got to sleep in until 9:30 with no alarm to wake me up. I did absolutely nothing useful until lunch, or at least I don't remember so. At lunch I met up with a friend and he and I went to the banquette and catering department, and this is when the real adventure began.

While Aaron and I stood in line, chatting with two other CIA students, we were being seated and a commotion started up behind us in line. You see, the CIA doesn't work in semesters it works in blocks, and Aaron and myself are in block B. When you are in block B you must go to the banquette and catering department for at least once a day for a meal for a grade. Not a bad deal, I'm being graded to eat. However, two girls behind us in line wanted to swipe their cards (the swiping of the cards prove you ate at the department) and leave. However, our waiter- a much more experienced student- insisted that they stay and eat. It was part of this poor fellow's grade, and what a commotion it started! And oh sweet Lord, of course they were sat with Aaron and I, and oh no- they didn't sit together and whisper their complaints, no, they sat on the opposite sides of the table and talked very loudly about the most minor things they were upset about. However the girls left early, to my relief, and Aaron and I enjoyed our dessert in peace.

After which I toured the school and completed homework. Four o'clock rolled around and my gastronomy class approached. When I arrived at 3:50 the class was full and a professor was talking. I looked at the schedule on the wall which said that that particular class didn't end until four. To wait until my class I went around the corner for a bench to wait on until 3:59 when of which I returned to the class and still the class hadn't left... In a panic I double checked my room and professor. Finally I entered the room with the "unfinished class" and the professor informed me I wasn't late. I asked her if she was Mrs. Chalmers and she replied in a proper English accent "On a good day." I sat down, mortified that my first impression was my timing. However her lecture carried on and she captivated me. She was full of information and a light intellectual humor. In the middle of a fact she would included a sentence where if you weren't listening properly would never be picked up. However with close attention she kept you smiling with her contrast of brash humor hidden in a suddle classy English package.

After class I huffed up to the fourth floor- don't ever feel guilty for eating at the CIA, you'll walk it off- determined to make it to my next class on time. ...I over shot it. The professor kindly told me I was an hour early and to get myself some dinner. I did just that, adventured back down my four stories to the Mediterranean Cuisine and carried my tray into a beautiful room that used to be an old chapel- the wall lined with stained glass- full of loud college students. The noise for me was uncomfortable and lonely. I felt out of my skin and need to find a new place for dinner.

I made it to my food safety class and enjoyed it very much. Later I dropped by my dorm to change into some comfortable clothing and head to the store for a printer cable and a tv cable. As I did so I called people back home. My first call was to Zax, a very good friend of mine back home. Its wonderful talking to him, he helps me through the lonely transition from small town to college, and makes me feel whole. I do miss him very much. My next call was to my father which was wonderful. He is the person who inspired me to come to the CIA and I am very excited to tell him about all my adventures. He and I talked most of my trip into town then back to the campus. I feel right here. I feel safe.

Day 2

Again, another early morning, but this time we made it to breakfast and with some stumbles I finally discovered how the breakfast ordeal worked. This time I sat with all girls, and realized now why I sat with men. These girls were mean and making fun of other girls as they walked by. I decided I was not going to be sucked into this group and excused myself to go on a walk. I didn't want to fill my new slate with the clique that feels superior by making others feel vulnerable.

We started our second day of orientation with 3 hours of lectures, very similar to the other day. I've heard from other CIA students orientation is the hardest part, and I really hope so because this is getting ridiculous. The information is important but I am exhausted emotionally, physically, and socially at the point and I need some down time.

We go to lunch for another fabulous meal and this time lunch was rather enjoyable. Not only did I have to bring up icebreakers at a medium but I was completely consumed by the conversation and couldn't get a word in edge wise. (Again, no familiar faces and all men). This group however was much older than all the previous groups. Before I had been sitting with about 4 boys my own age and one much older, and while I would speak to the boys my own age I would feel isolated in that I felt centuries old, and if I would speak to the lone older person I would feel centuries younger. This time I was surrounded by an entire table of a much older crowd and I felt like I found my niche. It was a good lunch.

We returned yet again for hours of lecture, one of which was a question and answer session with the President of the CIA and I thoroughly enjoyed that seminar. At the end of a painstakingly long orientation process we finally got our schedules and cooking supplies. I have beautiful new books that I cannot wait to read, a new complete knife set, whisks, thermometers, measuring spoons, pastry knives, and so much more. I completely ditched all my fear and felt like it was the first day of school. I compared my schedule to new found friends and organized my knife kit the exact way I wanted it. That night at dinner I sat with a mixed group with a few familiar faces and had a wonderful time. I think today I've met 3 solid friends. My schedule tomorrow doesn't start until 4 so I plan on sleeping in and doing what I want to do. So far, life's good

Day 1

Today I woke up at 6:30 hoping to catch breakfast at 7. However, even though I showered the night before, my morning schedule still kept me so busy that me and Katelyn missed breakfast. I would go into the bathroom with my toothbrush and toothpaste but without my makeup and have to go back to my room, then back to the bathroom. This happened at least 3 times.

The dress code is strict, business casual, and after learning the rules I was petrified I didn't have a single thing in my closet. Fortunately I found my black dress shoes, black nylons, black skirt, and yellow baby doll shirt. Due to sleeping on my wet hair the previous night my hair was Shirly Temple curly. I perfected my makeup and went to the Admissions Hall to start my orientation. Walking into a room, knowing absolutely no one sounds intimidating but walking into a room and seeing everyone else looking just as terrified as you actually puts things in a better light. Katelyn and I found some people we met on our tour the other day and we all appreciated some friendly faces in the morning. Then we were ushered into the auditorium.

Everyone was given a huge stack of papers with a list of departments on the front. The goal was to go down a line of tables and get signatures verifying you did not owe anything to the department. Also down the line you registered your car, were fitted for coats and pants, and given your photo id. As all of this came to an end lunch began. Lunch was a grand thing. You were served by the banquet class and had a 3 course lunch. I made sure I was seated with completely new faces, somehow they were all men, and introduced myself, trying to keep conversation up. The meal was delicious and we were sent back for team building, and yet again dinner. Dinner worked out the same for myself, trying to sit with all strangers, and some how they ended up male, and introduce myself and upkeep of the conversation. I felt like I pulled out more ice breakers than I have ever heard in my life. Why was I trying so hard? Why was it so hard? If I didn't speak no one did. It was almost stressful.

By the end of the night we were given our first homework assignment in three parts, only needing to do the first that night. I did all three, sought out a grocery store after that, and finally went to bed for another late night.

Moving In Day

Today is my first day (aside from tours) on the Culinary Institute of America's, the premier world culinary college, campus. Today also acts as my first day on my own, moving out into the world.

As most nervous college first timers, like myself, would do, I get to the CIA as early as possible, this is after a two day drive of course. I would not recommend it again. I was the third person in line and still felt like I was behind. My father and I were not lucky enough to grab ahold of a magical red cart that makes moving so much easier, especially when you are on the third floor. He and I made numerous trips to the car and back, carrying heavy loads up three sets of stairs to a tiny dorm then back again. I have many bruises still on my body to prove this adventure. When our last load consisted of the grand T.V and refrigerator, my father stumbled on the brilliant idea of putting our name on the waiting list of one of these magical red carts (one man was bribed $25 for his). This made the last load a breeze, I suggest you bring one from home yourself.

As our cars finally resembled cars again, my father rest and I unpacked. Trying to find a place in a tiny room for all my unnecessary equipment actually calmed me down; it was like I had the ability to step outside my self, look down from a bird's eye view, and put my new life together in a way I saw fit and organized, instead of hoping everything would fall into place. Everything passed my expectation and me and my roommate joined the dorm building meeting as my father, bless his heart, went to the grocery store for things I had forgot to pack. This is another thing I recommend. With the technology we have today, try to meet your roommate ahead of time. We found each other on facebook, learned each others interests, negotiated the room supplies, and learned each other's name (which ironically happens to be the same as my own).

We commenced on a tour, our tour guide was as bubbly and informative as could be, and me and my roommate tagged along behind, meeting people as we did. However, walking around the big campus, up and down three to four stories was not what my poor body needed. Moving in and touring were the death of my muscles that night. When Katelyn and I returned my father and her mother and finished everything that she and I did not get around to, which I appreciate more than anything, and my father and I went out to our last Father-Daughter dinner.

That night I didn't sleep well, nor relax my muscles in pain. I felt like it was the first day of summer camp but I had to keep reminding myself that I would not get picked up in a week. This was my new home, my new start, my clean slate. I didn't know if I was terrorized or ecstatic.