Passion, realized

I have withdrawn from graduate school.

I know this will shock many of those reading this.  Some of you know about the blood, sweat, and tears that I put into applying for graduate school.  You know of the continuous obstacles I faced and overcame while going through the admissions process.  You witnessed the excitement I exuded knowing I will be able to continue my education studying Social Work, a field one would assume was my passion.   Well, if you are reading this, you also know I have another love, food. 

I have always loved to cook and moving into my own apartment in 2007 allowed me to tap into that love more freely.  I've hosted plenty of dinners for friends and received many praises for my cooking ability.  Many of those around me have continuously asked "Why aren't you cooking for a living?" or "You should start a food blog."  I've always dismissed those comments because I didn't think a professional career in the culinary industry was for me.  I just loved to cook and feed people, that's it.  The recent move to St. Louis has positioned me into a new realm of conscious.  It's allowed me to be more aware of things going on in my life.  Consequently, it has allowed me to realize that food is not only a love of mine, but it has become my passion.  The decision to withdraw from graduate school came about organically, and swiftly.  I battled with the idea and wondered if my decision to would be the right one.  Yes, I wanted to study Social Work, but not because I loved it.  The social status of people in our society is still an issue dear to me, but I was not pursuing that career because I wholly wanted to.  I was going to graduate school because it was expected of me and it was the only way I would advance (having only a bachelors in Sociology).  When I initially contemplated the idea of a career in food my main issue was how I would fit into the culinary industry, where did I belong. 

I can tell you now, that I have found my passion and I know that it is only a blessing to be able to not only realize your passion but be in a position to explore it.  I have taken steps toward my culinary journey, starting with the creation of this blog.  I will also be enrolling in culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu.  There are many more goals I have set for myself and I welcome you to witness my journey as I explore a passion, realized!

-Theresa