Winter 2015: A new inspiration

 As I was browsing the library aisles, I came across a book I had read a couple of years ago while in college. Thinking about it, and checking it out, brought certain memories with it. The book title is called, 'The Kitchen Counter Cooking School' by Kathleen Flinn. That winter of 2015, I was in my second quarter at university and becoming more etched in my major as an English literature major. But I needed some flavor and inspiration in that dull environment of a classroom. 

Some days, I felt like falling asleep and dozing off in my own world. Before class would begin, I would soak up as much juice as I could from the book I was reading before a stone, cold feeling would hit- that professor reminded me of beige, plain walls and brown and dark panels hovering around a dark room. Where was the life? I thought I would feel inspired studying and reading English novels and writing essays. I began to feel like an orange being sucked out of zest and motivation, as well as creativity. I wasn't so sure of English literature was my thing anymore, where I belonged or fit in. 

Reading Kathleen Flinn's first book, 'The sharper your knife, the less you cry', was an instant catcher in the inspiration department. I would soak up the words before the dreary and plain English class would start. I couldn't wait to get back into it at the break. I would sit next to my new acquaintance, Sefali whom I shared a class with the quarter before. We connected, at least on a class and academic level. I didn't feel so alone or isolated in that drab class, (besides a nearby picture of Frida Kalho on the wall near me) and her forceful energy and determination to do well in the class encouraged me to enhance my reading speed- we read at least 5 books in that quarter! 

Cooking became a more focused pursuit and interest of mine. Now cooking more regularly for family at home, I became engrossed and inspired in cooking memoirs. I loved learning about chef's experience in the kitchen, their motivation, their story. I enjoyed reading about food and recipes, techniques, and all the learning curves. I later became interested in Jacques Pepin's cooking show. He's a lot of fun to watch, and his cooking memoir is wonderful as well!

That Winter quarter of 2015, I was thinking a lot. I contemplated what was ahead for me, and I calculated just a lot of English classes where I didn't feel that I fit the type or agreed with the certain liberal agenda being presented. With the help of my dear sister, a lot of talking and even tears, I gulped my way through another new transition and learning curve- declaring my major in International Studies. And I couldn't wait to see what the next quarters would be like. 

I knew based off of the class curriculum, I would need to do an international internship or study abroad. And the class listing was varied and exciting, not just an extended list of pure English classes. I would take a number of history and geography classes, and economics class and keep studying and pursuing Chinese classes. And of course, more cooking memoirs and books to keep me going. I was looking forward to what was coming!