And so it ends, or maybe it should be: So it begins.

Dad, Me and Mom

Yesterday was a joyous day; after 3 long years I have graduated from the Culinary Institute of America with my Bachelors of Professional Studies in Baking and Pastry Arts. So is it the end or is it the beginning?
As of now, it's the end of my educational path. I leave the school that I have called home for over 3 years. It is possibly one of the hardest things to do, to leave the room I love (which is bigger than the one I'm returning to at home), the friends I cherish and the great food.
However there is the beginning of something new: my career! Is has been quite daunting to pursue employment. While some of my fellow classmates have already secured positions, I am still seeking one that fits me and one that I fit with. The numerous opportunities are here, there and everywhere. To find myself the perfect one will take time, but I am fully prepared!
A day after graduating, I was fortunate to see my great friend, Karni, graduate with an Associates in Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts. Buddies from our time in baking classes that started in 2007, we are quite inseparable. To celebrate, we going to head to New York City.

Me and Karni after her graduation.

On my own, I headed down to Manhattan to go for a "scavenger Hunt" that a great friend of mine, JJ, prepared as a graduation gift. I placed scavenger hunt in quotes because he set everything up as a surprise to come visit. It is quite possibly the best gift. We headed to Flushing Queens for some Steamed Pork Buns before we headed back into Manhattan to meet Karni. The three of us went over to Max Brenner. Toasting some marshmallows with JJ.

One chocolate cocktail and chocolate fondue later we headed off. Max Brenner. One chocolate cocktail and chocolate fondue later we headed off. We had dinner on St. Mark's Place in the East Village. The Japanese "restaurant," which had no English name was located between 2nd and 3rd Ave was packed with American patrons and just as many Japanese ones. The menu had more Japanese on it than English, but thankfully... pictures are worth a thousand words. Under an hour later, we headed across the street to introduce JJ to some Pinkberry. I believe we made a follower out of him. Yet in that 20 minutes, we realized Pomme Frites was right around the corner. Never to let an opportunity to have some great food escape, we headed over and ordered some fries with Sweet Mango Chutney Mayo, Parmesan Peppercorn and Rosemary Garlic Mayo.

Karni and JJ enjoying some fries.

The culinary feast to celebrate was complete. We were all quite stuffed and content to have had some familiar food as well as some foreign food. Although the food was memorable, the time spent together was most defiantly unforgettable.