Thanksgiving this year was full of friends and cooking at home. I’m going to NYC this weekend so I stayed home for Thanksgiving this year and invited friends to spend their Thanksgiving with me. Or at least stop by my house after they celebrated with their family. Angela and I cooked a bit on Wednesday night and then a little bit more on Thursday morning before she went to her family’s gathering and I took a nap before the big dinner.

I discovered a new-to-me cooking blog, The Pioneer Woman, and used a few of her recipes, including the turkey brine, turkey roast, and the butternut squash puree. I have to say, the turkey this year was one of my best turnouts. Here’s the proof:

The butternut squash puree was absolutely delicious and I think I’ll make it again at Christmas time for my family.

Of course we had dressing, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy (Angela gets all the props on that one), salad, bread, desserts…and more! About 8 people actually ate dinner with me, and then a few others stopped by after their family gatherings. Overall it was a great dinner!

I cannot promise this will make complete sense. There are HUGE thoughts wrapped in these few sentences, so take from it what you will.

Over the years, I’ve come to the realization/belief that things don’t happen TO people, things happen BECAUSE of people. Good times, bad times, etc., are only defined as such by the people who lived them. Basically, an experience is what you make of it. It sounds like an easy concept, and one to which many people subscribe, but yet I still hear people say all the time, “Why is this happening to me?” or “How could that have happened to you?”. It might just be the way we communicate concern or care, but I think it is destructive.

As an extreme example, my father’s passing isn’t something that happened TO me. My father died an unexpected death and I was his daughter. As his daughter, my life was affected greatly. Did it help shape me? Sure. But, I wouldn’t go as far as to say it “changed” my life. How could I possibly know it changed a life I hadn’t lived yet? It WAS and IS my life. It didn’t happen TO me. I am the woman I am today because of the choices (good and bad) that I’ve made in response to that life event.

In essence, I guess I’m saying that we should take responsibility and/or credit for the things that happen in our lives. Again, it is easier said then done, but even though we live in a world where everyone is interconnected, we are all still our own self. And the way one person processes/rationalizes something is unique to that person. So you cannot expect others to process or rationalize things the same way. I’m talking to myself now, you see. :) Although the above thoughts are ones I strongly believe, I also understand they are just the way _I_ have chosen to interpret this life I’m living. So I must also not judge/criticize others who hold different beliefs.

My weekend in Atlanta was a whirlwind of excitement and we had a great time. The audition went well, but I didn’t walk away with an answer, which usually means it’s time to move on. I’m really proud of what I presented to the judges and casting agents, so that’s all I can do! It was very valuable experience and I’m very glad I went through with it.

But now it’s time to get back to work!

My last post was about going white water rafting and, boy, was that fun! I took the front seat along with Kristin and we steered that raft like pros. I even “rode the bull” over two of the rapids, which means I straddled the front of the raft and held on for dear life as the rest of the crew maneuvered us down the river. The water was cold, the guide was a hoot, and the overall trip resulted in two new friends from Atlanta. Here’s a good shot:

And we get to see those friends this weekend cause Kristin, Tom, Angela and I are heading to Atlanta for my audition for FOX’s MasterChef Season 3. I’ve been hosting tasting dinners over the past few weeks and think I have my audition dish ready to whip up for the casting team. You can see pictures on my Kamikaze Chef site: http://www.thekamikazechef.com.  I’m extremely excited about this opportunity (I even have a “Jump the the front of the line” pass) and I can’t wait to get in there. This could be a life changing weekend for me. I’ve been so fortunate to have a great job for 8 years, but I can’t help but think I’ve missed out on a real passion of mine. If this could help turn that passion into a lifestyle, I would just be beside myself. Wish me luck!

I’m about to head out the door to Kristin’s house and then we are heading down to Chattanooga with a full car. Tomorrow we are going white water rafting, me for the very first time. I’m super excited.

Then Sunday I’m going on Brian’s new sailboat! It should be a blast.

Water weekend, here I come!

It’s been a long time since I’ve auditioned for anything, and now I find myself faced with one of the most important auditions in my life! I am attending an open casting call in Atlanta in a few weekends and I’m preparing like I would for any audition. Except instead of practicing monologues, I’m practicing plating food dishes. It’s the audition for FOX’s MasterChef competition, where amateur chefs compete for $250,000 and the title of MasterChef.

A lot of it will be based on luck, I know. The casting call will be crazy…probably an open floor with tons of tables where contestants line up and wait for the judges to come around and taste their food. Much like an 8th grade science fair. The judges will be looking at presentation of the dish, taste and personality of the chef. I really think I have a good chance, but it all depends on what they are looking for. Like any audition, the “director” has something specific in mind and even if I think I’m a good fit, I may not be what they have in mind.

But fingers crossed! I’m hosting tasting nights for the next few weeks to prepare and try out different dishes that could withstand a long wait. Keep your eye on www.thekamikazechef.com for pictures and updates!

Thanks to Jim Voorhies for this one.

Found on the internets:

ISTJ – God, help me to begin relaxing about little details tomorrow at 11:41:32 am
ISFJ – Lord, help me to be more laid back, and help me to do it exactly right
INFJ – Lord, help me not be a perfectionist (Did I spell that right?)
INTJ – Lord, keep me open to others’ ideas, wrong though they may be
ISTP – God, help me to consider people’s feelings, even if most of them are hypersensitive
ISFP – Lord, help me to stand up for my rights (if You don’t mind my asking)
INFP – Lord, help me to finish everything I sta
INTP – Lord, help me be less independent, but let me do it my way.
ESTP – God, help me to take responsibility for my own actions, even though they’re usually not my fault
ESFP – God, help me to take things more seriously especially parties and dancing
ENFP – God, help me keep my mind on one thing – Look, a bird – at a time.
ENTP – God, help me follow established procedures today. On second thought, I’ll settle for a few minutes
ESTJ – God, help me to try not to run everything, but if You need some help, just ask.
ESFJ – Lord, give me patience and I mean right now
ENFJ – God, help me to do only what I can and trust You for the rest. Do You mind putting that in writing?
ENTJ – God, help me to slow downandnotrushthroughwhatIdoAmen

On a day like today, September 11th, many thoughts enter the mind that wouldn’t necessarily enter it on any other day. Thoughts of sadness, anger, reflection and consolation. Thoughts shared by an entire nation, some shared by the entire world. And it is a day that unites people in a way no other day can.

It is also a day that highlights the days that are more personal, days that hold individual meaning, individual sadness, individual memory. People who lost loved ones on this day are both burdened and blessed by such significance. They have stories of heroism, innocence and bravery which they can share with anyone, and be understood by everyone.

9 years and 6 days prior to the Sept 11th tragedy, I lost my father. A loss that is shared solely by my brother, my mother, and those very close to our family. The story I hold onto is uniquely mine. An unusual impulse gift of Rollerblades I call “the magic skates” and breakfast at a nearby family restaurant. The last one to hear “I love you” from Scott Egan.  The note card left on the doorbell by the police who had stopped by, trying to deliver the news in person. The phone call to the hospital as my mom stood in shock, composing herself to explain to her 12-year-old girl that her father isn’t alive anymore. Waiting for my brother to come home from camp, and hiding in the house while our pastor explained to a screaming teen that his father had died. Standing in a line at church while people passed to offer their words of love and condolence. Deliveries of lasagna, pasta, salad and more…when all I really wanted was fried chicken.

There are plenty more vivid memories I can’t bring myself to type. Not today. Not when I’m supposed to be sad with the world. 10 years.

Next September 5th will be 20 years without my father.