The Appetizer before this year's main Course

In the last month, my life has changed completely;  I quit the longest job I ever had, giving up a nice salary and all the comforts of the employed along with the travel, office politics and mundane beaurocracy. To celebrate this momentous event, I also decided to change the way I look;  I cut off 6 inches of hair and bleached my dark brown hair a light golden blond.  I've also let go of the babysitter and nanny and have exchanged all those hours I used to spend working, for time with my little girls - baking, cooking, playing boardgames and enjoying every minute of it...  The end of the decade also marks the end of a corporate life for me and the only life I've known since becoming an adult.

2011 will be the year of a new Me!  In 10 days I will begin a new professional career by beginning my studies towards le Grand Diplome at Le Cordon Bleu.  For 9 months, I will be waking up to spend the day doing what I love to do - cooking - and learning how to do it bigger and better.  2011 will mark the year I live out one of my biggest dreams. 

I've written about this before, but now that I am officially done with my "old" life and that the new year is upon us, the excitement of my new career has me bubbling with thoughts of future possibilities and visions of culinary accomplishments and it is making it impossible for me to get any sleep (its 3:47AM, now, and I had to get up to write this, in the hopes that getting it out might finally let me get some rest). 

Am I crazy?

I feel like a  teenaged girl who has just been asked to prom by the coolest guy in class, or like someone whose just sold their house for more than the original sales price - or as if I just found the Christian Loubouting classic Black Leather stilettos for 50€ (as opposed to the 600€ price tag they normally carry) - or like I've just eaten the most delicious Appetizer ever and I know that it pales in comparison to the Main Course that I see making its way to my table.  If you can relate to any of these examples, you would know but a fleeting moment of happiness compared to what I am experiencing.  And this is a feeling I hope everyone gets to enjoy one day.  I only wish that everyone who reads this gets inspired to follow their dream(s). 

OK... I got it out of my system.  Now, back to bed to see if I can finally get some sleep.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you! 

May 2011 bring you happiness, good food, and all your dreams come true. 

xoxoxo