Scholarship rant

Well, I just had my second nutrition test. Amazingly, I didn't even look at any of the chapters covered until the week before the test and I still managed to pull an 88%. Will I get the "A" I want, maybe since we have one more test and I've done pretty well on homework. As a friend said, "just get through it, take a "C" if you have to. We can't always be perfect." However, I really want to do well to keep my grade point up so I might be able to get a merit-based scholarship for next year.

I've been looking all over for all kinds of scholarships and there are only two that I can even qualify for. As I told my Chef from last semester, I checked into all kinds of scholarships for women over 40 returning to school, but I didn't qualify for them because I wasn't displaced or widowed. I mean, come on, I'm 41, have two kids and have spent the last 13 years following my military husband around the country, doesn't that count for something. I'm finally going to school to do the thing I love, trying to return to the work force, show my kids that learning is a lifelong thing, and because I have a husband who has a decent paying job, I don't qualify for a whole slew of scholarships. While I don't need the money (although school is definately taking a bite out of our budget) for school, it would be helpful. Not to mention that I'm pursuing a degree in a very male dominated profession. Really, have you looked at who the top chef's are? Women are definitely the minority - which a whole nother topic for another day.

Okay, back to the scholarship thing. The James Beard Foundation gives out over 70 scholarships to culinary students every year. Being as they have different types of scholarships, I'm thinking I've got a shot. Well, I would if they would ever get the applications up! Students were supposed to be able to download the applications in Jan. Then it got bumped back to Feb, then it was supposed to be March 15th. Are they up yet, nope! I called - keep in mind there is a 6 hour time difference, so it was early here - and got the voice mail of the woman that is supposed to know when the forms will be available. She hasn't called back:( I'm really put out, this is THE James Beard Foundation, the best known food industry foundation! Being recognized by them as a Chef or restaraunt of the Year (region, style, etc) sets you for your career.

Well enough ranting - time to do some evaluation of my latest english muffins attempt.

Okay, this semester hasn't been that great so far. I've been taking an on-line nutrition class, yuck! Anyway, not being in class and taking a class that I don't really like (and some stuff with my kids) has put in a bit of a funk.

Currently, I'm trying to bake my way out of it. My current baking obsession is trying to find the perfect english muffin recipe. I know it's out there, but I have yet to find it. I'm also considering trying my hand at artisan bread again. Especially now that I've up-graded from my KA Artisan to the KA Pro 600 - it's so sweet! Okay, so about two months ago as I was in the middle of making my weekly batch of pizza dough when the dough hook quit moving, but the motor was still running. I had managed to blow out the worm gear (apparently I had pushed it to much while hitting the top end of the flour-power rating every week). Anyway, since I live in HI, sending it back to KA to be fixed wasn't an option and the local authorized repair place wanted $60 just to crack it open and tell me what I already knew was wrong. Anyway, some other nice KA forum members were kind enough to guide me through repairing it myself, so for about $40 and 30 minutes of my time, the Artisan was repaired. In the mean time my hubby decided that since I had managed to kill the Artisan in 3 years, I probably needed to upgrade. I didn't argue and now have the coolest new Pro 600. The new mixer has inspired me to try bread again. I decided to try english muffins first because my kids love them for breakfast. I've tried a couple of recipes, but I've yet to find one I really like. Anyway, at least the not quite right muffins are pretty good!