Enrolled for several classes today.

I finally registered at SRJC and enrolled in five classes, all with credits that go towards a culinary degree or certificate.

• Foundations, Beginnings: Stocks, Soups & Sauces - CUL 200.12
• Hors D'oeuvres - CUL 200.11
• Poultry Cookery 1 - Entrees - CUL 200.1
• Seasonal Vegetarian Cookery - Entrees - CUL 200.8
• Japanese Cuisine 1 - Entrees - CUL 265.1

All that for just $297! Well, so far, anyway, not sure what I may need in the way of books.

I'm a little nervous, it's been so long since I have been in school, but I am hoping that since it is a subject i love I will be able to stay focused and not be too overwhelmed. If it looks like I am taking too much on I can always drop a class or two, but they fill up fast so I wanted to be sure I got in. I actually got the last seat in one of the classes!

I already know which classes I want to take in the fall, but they won't let me enroll in them yet because only current students have priority early enrollment. I think I can enroll in mid-July for the fall classes. If I get my way in all the classes I want in fall it will be $465 for the six classes (4.5 credits), not including any admin fees.

I am hoping above all that I can manage the classes while working (hopefully at SCC) since all of them take place on the weekends or starting at 5:30pm at the earliest. If I get the job at SCC and it looks like there is no way I will be out by 5:00pm then I can drop those evening classes and stick to the weekend ones.

I just feel good about getting it underway finally. I almost gave up on the dream but Peter just came over and gave me the SRJC schedule and encouraged me to get on the ball, he even offered to help pay the tuition, so I had no excuse not to at least take a couple classes.

What I see as the ideal outcome is that I will start the classes, feel good and comfortable with them, then start working at SCC and have the flexibility to work around my classes a little. Marisa said the schedule would be M-F cooking lunch and dinner, and then preparing something that the clients could heat up on their own during the weekend. Maybe I can choose which days I prefer to take off, so that I can make the earlier classes some days. I am confident it will all work out. Life is good. I am excited and looking forward to it all!

On another note, I have an interview with an agency that provides in-home care for elderly and disabled people on Tuesday. I was thinking I could do that temporarily while waiting for the SCC to open in July, and maybe do a weekend here and there for extra money even after I get the job at SCC. Mainly I just want to keep some options open even though I am positive about the SCC position, since it will only be 30 hours a week on average. Of course with a few classes i will be keeping busy, but it doesn't hurt to keep a few eggs out of the main basket.

Garden pics galore!

more garden photos

We survived the heat wave!

Yes, the garden survived! Even the most delicate baby pale green lettuce is looking strong and determined! Here are a few images, but I'll post more on picasa in a minute.

Top of the list!

Okay so let's take a deep breath and give thanks to the power of positive thinking and trust that it will carry me through to the realization of this dream to becoming my reality.

Here is an excerpt from the email got from Marisa at the SCC this morning

Dear Rupa,
You are definatly at the top of my list for the cook position here ... I really appreciate your offer to help with the upcoming workshop, and that would probably be a great way for us to get to know you and you to know us, plus a good "skills test" for the position. The last workshop I prepared most of the food the night before, on Friday, then spent the morning Saturday getting everything together for lunch in the afternoon. If this is something you are interested in helping with, let me know, and we'll plan for it.

Glad to hear you enjoyed the Four Agreements. Yes, keep asking for what you want!

How incredibly wonderful! I feel like dancing and singing! I responded letting her know that I felt like I had been holding my breath for a week and after reading her words I feel like I can finally exhale. So now all I have to do is wow them with my kitchen witchery and as my favorite piece of junk mail once said, "All will be well!"

Oh my goodness, I am so excited! The workshop is the weekend of June 7th and 8th, which seems like forever from now! I may just drive out there to peek at the area and get an idea of the commute. I think it's about 15 miles, but no freeway, so about a 30-minute drive.

Hope and other things are growing.

Roses and other flowers in bloom outside the back door.




It's been nearly a week since I spoke to Marisa on the phone about the kitchen position at SCC. I believe she said she was hoping to do interviews in a about a week. I sent her an email today just to follow up and let her know how much I really want the job.


I want it so bad I am almost afraid to dream for the fear of being depressed if I don't get it, but so far I have been staying positive.
I set up my peaceful space in the trailer and did a prayer ritual/meditation last night.

Afterwards I tried this Chinese fortune telling thing Julie has, it's a jar of sticks with numbers on them that you shake while asking for a wish and then you shake them until one "pops out" at you and then read the description in a booklet. I wished to get this job or something else that will help move my life in a positive direction. I got the number 20, and it said among other things, that I will get my wish.

I've been doing a lot in the garden lately. Planted a few more wine barrel gardens with tomatoes, cucumbers and a variety of chilies, then filled one wine barrel with flowers. Pretty nice beginnings. There is a lot of grunt labor still needed to make the yard more hospitable and charming, but I'm beginning to see a vision of what it will be like in a few years when it is established and there are colorful flowers everywhere. We already have several rose bushes and other flowers such as lilac, red and white camellias, rosemary, and these beautiful white blossoms that I am not sure what they are:

So the garden is moving along, and I am praying my career also gets this jump-start it needs.