Ready for Culinary School
I was in the very beginning of my first semester, when I got arrested. Over a decade ago, I wanted to do so much, that I didn't know where to start.
I didn't graduate from Fashion Industries High School. My attendance was pretty bad and impeded on my education once I started working in Yellow Rat Bastard- in 2004. Therefore, I got expelled from Fashion with (36 CREDITS... still can't get over that).
Nonetheless, I did not have a HS diploma. So I enrolled in TCI (Technical Career Institute), and chose to major in Computer Networking. I also minored in Sociology (but ended up dropping that class after a couple of weeks because I was working full-time and piled my plate too high). TCI offers the opportunity to obtain an Associates and GED at the same time. Therefore, I intended to use TCI as a stepping stool to obtain my GED, Associates and acquire a GPA-- whereas my next step was to enroll in Culinary School. However, as mentioned, I was wrongfully accused and arrested.
Despite all this time that has passed, I still fantasize about Culinary School. I mean, I started (like typically most children) around 4-5 years old by observing my Mother Dearest in the kitchen. I would find something to stand on and She'd ask me to assist Her in little tasks, like cutting certain foods, opening cans, measuring things, etc. Then I progressed to assisting my older sister with dinner meals while my Mother was out. Then I progressed to experimenting with my own recipes. More errors than trials.. lol. I just had this passion I was unaware of. It makes sense because cooking is an art/ creative form.. and I am a bit of a creative individual.
There was the time when I was around 8 years old and made Sunday Breakfast for the family. They asked me to make BLTs on a bagel. Being very literal, I've always correlated bagels with cream cheese. Therefore, I assumed I was supposed to use cream cheese. So I served everyone their BLTs. Mother Dearest and my Stepfather called me to their room soon after I brought them their Breakfast in Bed. I was apparently supposed to use mayonnaise.. but the cream cheese was better. It was a hit. Still to this day, I eat BLTs with cream cheese. When I ordered BLTs with cream cheese, from a bodega, they'd get confused too.
Mother Dearest's most memorable moment that She still brings up all the time (not complaining, just humbly blushing)-- when She was pregnant, I made this spicy chili from scratch. She still claims that "it is the best chili She's EVER had". I'm just saddened by the fact that I do not remember how or what I did to make it... but I'll make a better one for You Mother Dearest.
I mean, I reflect to smoking weed and having the worse combinations of recipes, that turned out pretty good sometimes (high or not); by exploring and using whatever was around kitchen. This was a bonding moment for me and my brother in my early teens. We didn't bond often.. so those were memorable moments by me cooking in the late night and serving us these random concoctions.
Before I was incarcerated, I was living in Queens with my ex, in her family's two- family home. Forget going out, some of my favorite memories was staying home and cooking with her. Experimenting or following recipes. Or simply getting dinner started (for the family), because sometimes I was the first one home from work or school.
Even now, in prison, I work with what I have and make things up. Chicken Alfredo from scratch. I've made Egg Rolls (with ramen noodles), Lo Mein, Popcorn Chicken, Cheesecake, Seafood Spaghetti & Mackballs (balled up fried mackerel, but doesn't taste like fish), Sweet & Tangy Chicken-- to name a few.
So, because they've stolen my twenties & early thirties... I do not have anytime to waste. Therefore, within the first week I am out.. I need to enroll in Culinary School. I'm Ready!"
