My goodness, it's interesting to see how many cooking schools there are in the US. For some reason, I always thought that France had the monopoly on them. NSM, I guess.

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The Institute of Culinary Education (formerly Peter Kump's) in Manhattan has an excellent reputation. We've also got the French Culinary Institute -- their restaurant (L'Ecole) is a favorite of mine.

Happy birthdays, Kristin and Maria!!

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A friend of mine went to Culinary Institute of America. He seemed to -- well, "enjoy" it isn't the right word, but he definitely says that he got a lot out of it.

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Happy Belated Birthday, -t!!!

Dave and I are spending the day reading (I am reading my textbooks like a good student), since it is still snowing outside. Although he did go and shovel the walk earlier and dig my car out.

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Happy Birthday, Maria!

Happy Birthday, Kristin! I am so happy that you are pleased with your life right now.

Odd? Saw a guy who looked an awful lot like ND today. In a kilt. He looked like a pre-shorn ND even before the kilt. I admit I did a double take since he could easily still be in town and hair grows.

why is it that all the good conversations I have in bars are with men? Who are older than me?

I don't know but I have found it to be true more than not. I have a theory that they aren't *just* or *only* or *neccessarily* just trying to get lucky and so the conversation matters too. Also? Often men can get more interesting and better conversationally, ime.

Does this sound like a decent topic for a 20 page research paper?

Oh yeah. One I would beg to read too.

Yeah, I just had that date. I am the weeest bit tipsy, and I just had the sweetest kisses. He said I was pretty and he loved looking into my eyes.

Dude. t shakes head wistfully Dude... That is fabulous!

I got good snuggles from a dear, usually far away, person last night. Am pleased.

I spent the day running around getting my car washed, waxed and detailed; getting an oil change; running to the farmer's market for some fresh flowers and scored some fab darker than usual pale orange Gerber daisies, some snifftastic yellow freesia, a dozen yellow roses that I gilded - even if they weren't lilies - with some purple statice from my yard, and a single stem of tuberose; shopping at Trader Joe's which did not have paneer but did have daffodils; and picking up a couple of prescription refills; putting away laundry; did dishes and other random domestic bits. t flops down exhausted

Oh. I also wroted the stepmom and with a great lack of subtley asked what the deal was with the neicelet. Why she was sent so far away, why we aren't supposed to tell her anything and that I promised to never lie to her so it was making for rough communications. This should go ... I have no idea...

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We picked up lots of post-chemo no-prep-but-mild-and-nutritious foods as a surprise for a friend (he goes in for his next round tomorrow) at Trader Joe's. Brought them to him and took him out for brunch at a lovely place called Rose Cafe. he was in much better sprirt than the last time we saw him, as the tumor is responding to the chemo and actually shrinking. Yay! Then we took him home and drove all over Santa Monica and looked at the gorgeous day.

On the way home we stopped by a discount store and bought lots of Things to Put Other Things In. Canisters! Jars! More Jars! We have ants and are doing our best to protect our precious foodstuffs from their depredation, which is fine by me as I love buying organizing stuff.

Now we have a couple of hours to clean and watch the DVD of a motorcycle show the BF just interviewed for before I jump in the shower, get dolled up and go to our firm's Holiday Party. Good weekend so far!

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I also am student teaching and thus very dark gray. I've just gotten my very first teaching-related cold and thus feel very crappy. On the up side, I just checked and school is cancelled tomorrow! Yay!

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{{{Cass}}} I hope you get a good response from your stepmom. Much ~ma for your neice. She is lucky to have you in her corner.

Robin, your friend is lucky to have you. I am glad you are having a good weekend.

Emily, feel better.

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Teaching -ma to all the student teachers! Just remember, if you can survive teaching boot camp, you can survive anything.

So it is a gorgeously warm and sunny day here, and I'm trying not to be smug about it...but 30 birthdays in cold and wet and snow earns me a little slack for this one, right? Anyway, I'm resisting doing work. Had lovely brunch with ND and then went to Trader Joes, where I stocked up on frozen foodstuffs. Came back here, put away groceries, and cleaned some more of my patio.

I really shouldn't have to do school work on my birthday. *pout* Alas, I must. But not yet...I think Ima lounge on my couch and enjoy the breeze come through the screen doors for a bit first...

Oh, and for those playing along at home, I STILL do not have my car back. Five weeks as of tomorrow. Feh feh feh. meara, I may need you to rent something this weekend after all.

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Dave is making dinner. I had to leave the room to not interfere.

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