I have finalized my design for the Philadelphia cake competition, Let Them Eat Cake. Today in Wedding and Display Cakes, I did my first draping of fondant on a square cake, well, any cake in my case. Learned how to marble, finished up our baby carriages. I have to say, I did not like making the baby carriage at all. We casted sugar in egg molds and hollowed them out, made babies and blankets with stenciling out of marzipan, and used royal icing for the wheels. Awesome skills to learn and know, and I’m sure I’ll be utilizing them in the future, but a baby carriage? Really? Soft, pale, baby colors. Meh. Wasn’t pleased. But I was given a 15 pound tub of fondant for the competition. That wasn’t particularly enjoyable to ride home on a bike with but I can’t complain - that’s my tuition in my backpack right there. 15 pounds of fondant. FIFTEEN POUNDS.

I applied for my passport. Should be getting that in the mail soon. And Jim reserved a car rental for Iceland! Goodness he is great. We went out for dinner the past few nights. Manakeesh Halal Bakery - we got a chicken shawarma wrap. And to Saad’s Halal tonight - I had falafel for the first time.

Didn’t get the job at Chipotle. I shouldn’t be upset because, I mean, it’s Chipotle. But, still. I’m tired of my job. At least with Taylor quitting, I have a few more hours. Only catch is I work every day except Tuesdays, where I spend 8 hours in class and then another hour or 2 working towards the cake competition.

Ryan’s band will be playing a show where I’m living in February. I can’t believe it’s February already. January flew by, and I’m already in week 4 of my last quarter. Next week is the halfway point, and I graduate in March. Holy shit.

Most of this is school-related. I didn’t mean for it to be that way.

It feels strangely good to be among people I don’t even know, exchanging our stories and advice through the internet, who share the same burden as I.

1. Let Them Eat Cake - The cake design competition held in Philadelphia for professionals, students, and amateurs. This year’s theme is Under the Big Top. And my design includes a lot a lot a lot of pastillage work. And I’ll probably cry. A lot.

2. Get a new job. Sweet Ending’s inability to give me more than 20 hours a week just isn’t cutting it. I have rent to pay, school supplies to buy, and a trip I need to keep saving up for. Hopefully Saturday’s interview at Chipotle proves to be promising.

3. Finish my menu for my Sustainable Purchasing and Cost Control class. 8 dessert entrees, 2 drinks, 2 savory appetizers, a soup with 2 garnishes, a cheese board, and pricing them all out from buying, to producing, to selling. Great knowledge, tons of work.

4. First Friday with Emily! We have so many great ideas, and I can’t wait to embark upon them.

5. Find warm casual boots for traveling. I have winter boots but I don’t want to lug them around when I’m not wearing them. And my Raynauds makes it difficult to wear just regular walking shoes. I need warmth. Bah!

6. Visit Ithaca! Andrew wants me on his show to teach people how to bake in college. And! I get to see the people I miss a lot. I’m so busy, and it’s making it very difficult to stay in touch. I’m so sorry :(

7. Go to New York to see The World / Inferno Friendship Society play at The Music Hall of Williamsburg. It should be epic.

8. Write sketches in collaboration with Emily and Ryan. I really hope I have time for this but it sadly feels iffy at this point.