Life philosophies of an (almost) 23 year old

I hope you have been enjoying the first few weeks of 2011.  For me, the new year is always a time to reflect on the year that has just passed, and what a year it has been!  I had a wonderfully crazy last semester of college; graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s in business; said goodbye to Lady, my faithful friend of 19 year; welcomed a new addition into the family, a puppy named Taco; spent nearly 6 months working for my parents; partied in Vegas for the first time; traveled to Prague and Berlin; moved to France; started to learn French; and completed the Basic Patisserie Certificate at Le Cordon Bleu.  I can hardly believe all the experiences I’ve had! 

I like to think of people kind of like I do cooking.  You start with a couple ingredients; add new flavors, maybe a little heat.  The original ingredients will always be there, but you add layers of flavor and introduce elements to get something different.   I’m certainly not the same dish I was when I rang in 2010.  Next Thursday I’m adding a whole new layer to my cake—it’s my 23^rd birthday!  Over the past twenty-odd years I’ve developed a few life philosophies which I have compiled for your reading pleasure.   It’s nothing profound, just the musings of an (almost) 23 year old living in France. 

Take time to enjoy the little things.  From leisurely lunches to a national average of 4 weeks of vacation per year the French have this concept down pat.  Not all of us are lucky enough to live the French lifestyle, but I believe in quality over quantity.  Take a few minutes to listen to your favorite song, read an interesting article, make yourself a nice meal, or just arrange that microwave dinner on a real plate.  The few minutes it takes to do simple things can turn a good day into a great one.   

Don’t worry so much!  I have found that pastry chefs can be quite a high-strung bunch.  More than once I have seen my peers burst into tears and exclamations of “OMG I think I’m going to have a panic attack!”  Are you kidding me?  Don’t waste time and energy worrying about trivial things.  In a month, a year, five years, is what you’re worrying about today still going to be relevant?  If so, then okay, I’ll get you a paper bag to breathe into.  But, you forgot to add sugar to your batter?  It’s just a cake!

Stay young.  I believe that age is just a number and “growing old” is a state of mind.  If you have children, or have spent any time around them you know that they show a constant curiosity for the world.  Many Europeans seem to share this mindset and show a genuine interest in their surroundings.  I am constantly impressed by the number of languages Europeans speak and the places they have visited.  I’m not saying that you have to travel around the world to exotic places, but just keep an open mind.  Read a book, watch a documentary, or just try that dish that no one can pronounce at the local Chinese restaurant. 

The past is the past.  I recently traveled to Prague, Czech Republic and Berlin, Germany.  It was not that long ago that the people in these countries lived in fear of speaking out against their government, or they were blacklisted for crimes such as “being an entrepreneur,” or they watched walls being erected around them and were told they would be shot if they tried to travel over them.  Today, Prague and Berlin are much different.  They are places of fun and culture that tourists from all over the world flock to.  As you all know time-travel has yet to be discovered, and as far as I know they aren’t close to any breakthroughs.  Because of this, we will not be changing history anytime soon.  Living with anger or resentment hurts the person who harbors these feelings more than it does anyone else.  I think in life we should make our apologies, accept the apologies given, move on and take away only the lessons we learned.  I know this is easier said than done, especially when you know someone who is a total b**ch, but remember the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference.

Everything in moderation.  Better yet, as Julia Child once said, “Everything in moderation...including moderation."  The French love their rich sauces, pastries, and bread.  If you told a French person you were going on the Atkins diet (no baguette!?) you may be admitted to an insane asylum.  Les Français know when to stop.  Unless you are training to become a sumo-wrestler, then yes, you should practice moderation, but I also believe that to live in a constant state of self-control is tiring.  To avoid insanity indulge yourself every once in awhile. 

Celebrate!  I think that people often feel they must wait for government workers to have a day off work before they can bust out that bottle of bubbly.  While I’ve never been one to turn down a glass of Veuve, and I live in a city where champagne flows like water, celebration is not just about the drinking.  It’s about making an effort to acknowledge the good things in life.  Take time to celebrate the little things; a good hair day, you met a deadline, it’s your birthday week!  Life is too short not to. 

Alright, stick a fork in me, I’m done!

Bisou, bisou,

Maggie

“At a birthday party you’ll never remember what you had for dinner, but you’ll always remember the cake.” 

-Chef Nicolas Bernarde aka Hot Chef

Triple Chocolate Bavarian Cream Cake,
I decorated it with my initials so it could be my birthday cake!