Spring Break

I can't believe Spring Break went by so fast! It was so much fun and so much happened!! Soooo, let's recap! 

Thursday I drove to Norman to see Jacob, who I hadn't seen for 3 whole weeks! (3 weeks too long if you ask me...) Friday, we went on a double date with some friends to BJ's Brewhouse and then Starskate where we showed the disco who's boss. 

Me and my fiance, Jacob :)

While there, we were told we were the cutest couple in the entire face of the universe -their words, not mine- by a couple of middle school girls. Then they asked what "our relationship status" was. We told them we were engaged, and pretty much gained our own entourage for the evening.

Jacob gave me my birthday present a little early, and good thing, cause a good cast iron skillet needs time to be seasoned ;) He knows me too well! 

Naturally, I used it to create a wonderful sauteed steak that's finished in the oven with compound butter with chives.

I drove back Tuesday afternoon so I could start my shadowing at Maggiano's the next morning at 5:45. 

Pros for 5:45 A.M.- no traffic.

Let me tell you, it was INCREDIBLE! I followed the Executive Sous chef around for the morning while he did inventory, helped make huge quantities of marinara and Alfredo sauce and got to taste EVERYTHING. If you know me at all, you'd know I was in culinary heaven. 

At 9:30, we had 'family breakfast' where some of the cooks made a meal for all the other cooks. This morning, they made pollo con mole y arroz! That's chicken with stinkin awesome spicy cocoa sauce and Mexican rice for all ya'll non Spanish speakers ;)

I got to know the ins and outs of being a kitchen manager, became fluent in spanish- as I'm sure ya'll have already figured out- and what's that? Oh yeah, I got to learn some amazing recipes! 

So if you've never been in a restaurant kitchen before- like me- there's something you may have never guessed. You see, when I make a dish at home, it may take me, say, an hour- hour 1/2, depending on the recipe. I have to make the sauce, cook each ingredient, yadda yadda yadda....

BUT, in THESE kitchens, they've basically already made all the ingredients up and have them in large coolers, ready to be put together, into amazing, mouth watering dishes.

So when I made chicken Marsala, it probably took me, maybe 5 minutes, most of that was dedicated to grilling a perfect piece of chicken. Somehow, I never guessed their secret to speedy dishes...

Also, I've decided that I'm going to get one of these kitchens for my house...

The second day was much like the first, except I didn't have to wake up at ungodly hours this time. I got to talk to the banquet manager and beverage manager some more and ended up going home a little early. 

My time there was so informative, enlightening, and really fun! The chef offered me a job to start off as a cook there if I wanted- if only I lived a tad close- and now, I also have a really awesome experience to take with me!

My birthday weekend. Was. Awesome.

Friday, my mom and I went to the Dallas Arboretum, and it was fantastic! 

Tulips, tulips, everywhere!!

Jacob came into town, and Saturday, we went to a couple's shower for my friend Jessica & David.

Then, me, Jacob, my friend Haley, Amy, and Amy's sister and friend went to Billy Bob's to celebrate my birthday at midnight! I love getting to dance with my man :) 

The others may or may not have been asked by random weirdos to dance, including creepy old hip-thrusting man, choke-hold man, and smelly arm-pit man...sorry, guys!

The next day, me, Jacob and my parents went to Bonnie Ruth's to have brunch with Mimosas :) so fun!

We ended the night with dinner at Razoo's, The Other Guys, and hot tubing! 

I am SO incredibly blessed by all my friends and family in my life!!

Overall, my spring break was filled with lots of friends, love, and new experiences! 

What are some of your favorite spring break memories?

Feel free to comment!

With much love,

Megan