Atlantic to the Gulf.

On Monday, I packed everything in my apartment on Johns Island and played a fun game of tetris trying to fit it all in my car. Have I mentioned how tired I am of packing and moving and packing and moving? My sister and I figured out that I have "stuff" in two houses, two storage units, not even counting what I had in Charleston and the two suitcase limit to return to New York.

I am getting all too familiar with packing and moving.

I drove from Charleston straight to Thomasville. I chatted a bit with my aunt and uncle before hopping in the car, again, to RIDE to Destin, Florida, to meet my sister for a week of vacation, with mom and Gamma. Atlantic or Gulf? If I had to choose one of the other, I would have to pick the Gulf; it is like my second home.

I loved how the rays radiated through the clouds. I took this picture with my camera phone on the drive from SC to T-Vegas and I think it is super cool.

On Tuesday, Jess and I spent some time on the beach, her getting her tan on and me getting my, well, burn on. Jess, also, attempted to get her read on, with her new Kindle. I have decided that while educational and fun, if you have one, Kindles are extremely annoying for those who do not have one and have to compete with one for human companionship. :) I mean, me read good but me no like to read. We walked down to the jetty and spent some quality sister time together. Tuesday afternoon included a bit of shopping with mom and dinner that night at PF Changs. Mmm.

Perfection.

View from the balcony at 602. I miss Destin in the summer!

Gamma and mom left on Wednesday, but Jessica and I stayed a day longer. Jess and I thought about eating at Commander's Palace on the Destin Harbor but decided against it. However, we still wanted to explore down by the harbor and decided to eat at Harry T's. To our shock and surprise, we found out that Commander's Palace (the original is in New Orleans) in Destin had actually closed in November. It was a beautiful restaurant, that Jess and I had the pleasure of dining at last year. I am sad to see that it did not make it through these economic times. Harry T's, with our cheese and crab dip, my honey balsamic grouper with veggies, and Jess's seafood combo basket, was delicious.

While waiting for our table, Jess and I walked along the water and near the bridge. How beautiful, right?

Unfortunately, it was overcast on Thursday. I spent most of the day watching True Blood on DVD (thanks, Swanns). Jess did make it down to the pool for a bit to... read. We cleaned and packed and showered and headed to Thomasville.

After getting my hair cut and almost killing my sister (love you), I spent a good amount of time trying to fit life into two suitcases to take to New York for three weeks. I have three weeks of classes in New York, half of a six week block of classroom classes. I then fly back to Georgia for July break, before heading back to New York to finish out my last "year" at the CIA in August. Eh yi yi.

This is what happens when you have no permanent residence, things accumulate. Do you think I have enough pillows on my bed in Thomasville?!

Jess and I drove to Athens on Friday. We met Greenie at Asia Cafe. Greenie and I watched a bit of tele, while Jess cleaned, all while waiting for dad and Shirley to come visit Jessica's for the weekend. Happy Father's Day weekend!

After getting ready for the day and binding my finished extern manual at Staples, all four of us went to the Atlanta airport, where we said our goodbyes. I hate traveling to New York by myself with a 50 pound bag, and hopefully, this is the last time I will have to do it. Now, here I am, waiting to board my flight to New York.

CIA, here I come!

"I'M LEAVING TODAY. I WANT TO BE APART OF IT, NEW YORK, NEW YORK."

Hay Reh

It's not goodbye but see ya later...

Dear Kiawah,

My whole mindset when I left New York to come South was to simply complete my extern to the best of my ability, to learn as much as I could, to work more than I thought was physically and emotionally possible, to meet some new people, and to just finish the credits for school. I could only see the destination, the end result, fulfilling the externship requirement, moving back to New York, and finishing school. Never did I think about the journey; I could never have imagined what that journey would come to mean.

From February 2, 2011, to June 11, 2o11, I worked at one of the greatest places on earth. Kiawah is beautiful. It's location on the Atlantic relative to historic Charleston is unmatched. It's reputation is comparable to none. How lucky was I to spend four and a half months here?! Walking away from this place is heartbreaking, but I know that there will come a day that I will be able to come back, to work or to visit.

To my Kiawah family, to my friends, my team, my colleagues, you, each and everyone, made my experience the greatest of my culinary career thus far, to which I will match every other. You embraced me with open arms. We laughed, we cried, we joked, we stressed, we worked, and we shared life. I leave you, Island, as a better chef, hands down, but more as a better person. To you, I am truly grateful.

Robyn- Thanks for making fun of me (and the blog) and making me rotate the ice cream.
Temperance- Thanks for sharing my love of Army Wives and Pretty Little Liars (and not being mad at me for posting this for all the world to see). And, thanks for being the best supervisor ever!
Robert- Thanks for filling the bakeshop with music. I'll never forget our adventures outside of work. I will beat you one day at monopoly.
Christine- Thanks for being my replacement and being too sweet to make fun of. "WAHHHH."
Erin- Thanks for increasing my tolerance and forcing me to be confrontational. I will get my cooler back, Boo Bear. And, you better re-read your card to know how truly thankful I am to you. Blue Moon for me... and Sweetwater for you?!
Chef- Thanks for always having something interesting to chat about and giving me your take on the news.
Heather- Even though you side with the Gators, I still love you. Drinks after work to dancing at Wild Wings, thanks for the fun times!
Erin #2- I wish we had met in Hyde Park. We would have been best friends, before now!
Jay- Thanks for always being a friendly face as I started my shift and left for Jasmine.
Trevor- Thanks for becoming my little brother/ fake boyfriend over extern and for forcing me to drink and be merry with y'all, almost every night, whether I wanted to hang or not. And, thanks for all the laughs in JP.
Dan- Thanks for loving the OR, for never leaving me alone with Trevor while drinking, and for letting me play with Basil.
Kate- Thanks for helping to balance the girl to guy ratio in Jasmine. Our nights working together were some of my favorite days at the Sanctuary.
Franke- Go Dawgs?!
JD- If I could pick a favorite, you would be in the running. :)
Rob King- Yes, I cleaned the back sink. Thanks for always giving me food.
Amber- Thanks for always being there for me to chat, to avoid work, and for being my fellow Georgian.
Rachel- You were always super helpful. Thanks for helping me by scooping ice cream.
Maria- Thanks for always asking about my day and stealing my treats!

The list could continue. I am leaving so many people out, but I think you understand that so many people made my time at Kiawah what it is and was. Goodbye, Kiawah, for now. I will see you soon. Until then, continue to offer unforgettable experiences to every one who bikes, swims, walks on to the Island, and drives through that gate. I will miss you.

When my mom and I first drove to Kiawah before I started work, I took a picture of this sign, at the entrance to the Hotel.

And, I took this picture on my last day of work, as I was leaving the Island.

I will not remember the beginning or the end but the in between.

SOUTH CAROLINA IS HOME TO PEACHES, TOO.

Sincerely,

Haley

"Sometimes you feel like a NUT..."

***Disclaimer: the next few blog posts are about my last few weeks in South Carolina, the end of my extern, and saying goodbye, for a time, to my Kiawah family. I apologize in advance for me being sentimental, sappy, emotional... you get the point.

It's been a whirlwind since I last graced the blog with my presence (of mind?!). I blame my externship... my friends... my family... my job... my schoolwork... and my life. That's fair, right?! I truly love blogging and having a virtual journal of life in pastry school, but sometimes, you just have to live life because it's short and sweet and you must savor every minute (like my imagery?). Life gets in the way of blogging, for real, but, do not worry, I will always find the time to update. I'm not a quitter. Let's finish this blog out right, right?!

Monday, May 23, 2011
I came to work to plate service at Jasmine. However, Jasmine did not need me to stay after setting up my station. I, therefore, prepped a bit before going home.
*Strawberry Soup
*Chocolate Caramel Mousse

Tuesday, May 24, 2011
*Milk and Honey.
*Ricotta Cakes.
*Pecan Pie.
*Bread Pudding Base.
*Cut Croissants and Pralines for Bread Pudding.
*Creme Brulee.
*Mac. Baskets.
*Pecan Tuile.
*Lemon Lace Tuile.
*Chocolate Glass Tuile.

My cousin, Kristy, who recently graduated from Auburn, came to Charleston/ Mt. Pleasant to interview for an internship at an architecture firm. She arrived just in time for us to have lunch before I headed to work. I, of course, treated her to Zia, my favorite local spot. I then wished her luck and drove to the Island.

With Temperance off, I came in early to prep for the night. Not uncommon for a Tuesday, our number was low for reservations at Jasmine, and there was no need for me to stay to plate. Therefore, I took the opportunity to clock out of work and to spend a few hours in the Ocean Room with Erin, to see the back of the house during service. Jasmine and Ocean are like night and day, and I thoroughly enjoyed, even for a night, seeing desserts at a different restaurant. Erin, being the Pastry Queen that she is, quenelles (is it qu, as in QUiet, quenelling or qu, as in toQUe, quenelling?) like a champ, and just from watching her for a few hours, I swear I am better at it myself. On the fly cake, no problem, Erin can do that, too, even though she doesn't love cake. "Best wishes" on a plate in chocolate, yeah, sure, that, too. It was a fun night. Thank you, Ocean Room, for letting me pretend to be a black, striped aproner for a few hours.

I came back to my apartment to watch the finale of Dancing with the Stars with Kristy. Yay, Hines Ward, from UGA! We, shortly after, called it a night.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011
I am usually really good at writing things down to blog about them later. I did not write down what I did for the day at work for 5.25.11. I know, epic fail on my part. I can make it up to you with pictures from earlier in the day...

Kristy and I woke up relatively early, for me, to go explore the Army Wives houses/ buildings in North Charleston. I know, I recently went on a solo adventure to do the same thing, but Kristy is a fan, too, and I thought I would share my knowledge. We even took pictures to prove that I was not lying the first time and didn't just copy and paste pictures of these places seen in the show to make myself look super cool. :)

You can barely see her, but there is Kristy near the steps, in front of the Administration Building.

And, here I am, so proud!

After our little trip, we went back to my apartment to get Kristy's car before driving to Kiawah (so I could go straight to work instead of driving back and forth). We parked her car at Freshfield's Market, at the entrance to the Island, and drove to the Hotel. We walked around a bit and I gave her my signature tour, that I have done a few times now. We hopped over to the Town Center Market for a deli lunch, before I drove Kris back to Freshfield's, where we parted ways.

*Since her visit, Kristy was offered the intern position and is moving to Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Congratulations! I hope to have family night dinners in Charleston, our new home, soon, Cuzzy!

Thursday, May 26, 2011
*Milk and Honey.
*Lemon Tuile.
*Pecan Tuile.

Friday, May 27, 2011
OFF

Temperance was kind enough to let me have a Friday and Saturday off, our busiest nights of the week, in order for me to travel and celebrate one of my oldest friend's wedding! I woke up early on Friday to drive to Thomasville. The day included surprising my mom early, eating with her at work at the hospital, making pralines in her kitchen, and opening my birthday gifts, finally. My mom and sister had the first 6ish months of my blog printed and made into a book. It is awesome, all 200 pages of it. I may or may not have cried a bit to see my life in print, to enjoy for many years to come. And, a cupcake diamond necklace, too?! Thanks! Love you both!

Evan, who came to Charleston for her Bachelorette weekend, truly celebrated her wedding weekend with B. I was honored to be a part of it, including her island casual night of cocktails and dancing. With moving from state to state, and working a ton, and living in Charleston, I do not have the opportunity to see my Thomasville friends very often. I so enjoyed seeing some of my dearest high school friends, laughing, dancing, drinking, all in Evan and B's honor. It was so great.

Catherine, me, Sarah Frances, and Bailey at Cocktails and Dancing!

Saturday, May 28, 2011
OFF

My mom and I went to Tallahassee to do a bit of shopping. Of course, we had to eat at our favorite lunch spot, Crispers, to eat our flatbread and tomato bisque. Our trip was very, VERY successful (thanks, mom). I even redeemed my Starbucks birthday reward card! I love a free coffee. Oh how I miss spending Saturdays in Tallahassee playing with my mom!

Evan and B's wedding was the most fabulous wedding I have ever attended. Everything was beautiful and perfect and straight from a magazine really. Evan was a stunning bride. The Tams played for an incredible night of dancing. The Country Club has never looked so wonderful. Seeing old friends and catching up with Thomasville people was fun. Basically, no wedding will ever be able to top this affair. Congratulations, Evan and B, and thanks for an unforgettable night!

Isn't she beautiful?

I love my roommate, Whitney. (And, yes, she will always be my roommate!)

Some members of the Brookwood Class of 2005, minus a few, who attended the wedding.

Sunday, May 29, 2011
*Chocolate Glass Tuile.
*Pecan Tuile (in the shape of a flower, like when I first started my extern).

I drove from Thomasville straight to Kiawah and made it to work, thirty minutes late. It's a good thing that Temperance does not hate me. I worked service and left the Island exhausted by the end of the night.

Monday, May 30, 2011
Temperance was off, and I prepped and plated.
*Pecan Tuile.
*Creme Brulee.
*Blackberry Sauce.
*Mac. Baskets.
*Ricotta Cakes.
*Caramel Chocolate Mousse.
*Milk and Honey (best ever).
*Pralines.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Temperance was off. I prepped and plated.
*Bread Pudding.
*Key Lime Pie Base and Key Lime Pies.
*Lime Chantilly.
*Glaze on Chocolate Torte.
*Cornmeal Cake Batter.
*Funfetti Cupcakes.
*Baked Milk and Honey.
*Pecan Tuile.
*Chocolate Tuile.
In JP:
*Cut Cake.

I love making Bread Pudding!!!

Sprinkles make life, just better and more colorful. These were so fun to make. I felt like a 10 year old with Betty Crocker mix. I just needed some Rainbow Chip icing.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011
OFF

Thursday, June 2, 2011
OFF

I spent the majority of my two days off working on my externship manual, required assignments for school. This will be submitted to the school, for them to grade my extern, the largest weighted "class" at the CIA at six credits.

Friday, June 3, 2011
*Milk and Honey (2x recipe and baked).
*Pralines.

Saturday, June 4, 2011
*Milk and Honey (3x and baked).
*Lemon Tuile.

I should note, for future documentation's sake, that this was the last day that Erin made my FAVORITE orange ricotta takeaway cakes. As I leave, the orange ricotta cakes go, too. Sad, sad, sad day, for which I was NOT prepared.

Sunday, June 5, 2011
OFF

Sunday Funday included pool time (at which pool, hmm? I don't know), vodka watermelon, publix subs, hot cheetos, monopoly, Criminal Minds, and pizza. It was a great day off with great friends.

Monday, June 6, 2011
OFF

I worked, all day, on my extern manual. Lame.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Temperance was off. I prepped and plated.
*Key Lime Pie.
*Milk and Honey.
*Mac. Baskets.
*Pecan Tuile.
*Lemon Lace Tuile.
*Chocolate Chip Cookies.
*Cut Pound Cake.
*Chocolate Glass Tuile.
*Lime Chantilly.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Temperance was off. Christine helped me prepare everything for Jasmine service.
*Creme Brulee.
*Milk and Honey x3 (150 baked).
*Pecan Pie.
*Pineapple Salsa.
*Pecan Tuile.

On Wednesdays in the summer, Jasmine offers a buffet and an a la carte menu. For the buffet, we provide small desserts for both adults and children, from small fruit tarts with vanilla pastry cream to marshmallows. I made sure these were filled at all times during the night. There are only three desserts on the a la carte menu, the cake, creme brulee, and bread pudding. There was also a party of fifteen, with a special menu, offering creme brulee and bread pudding. Well, for some reason, communication was crossed and key lime pie was offered. I am so thankful I prepped key lime, in hopes of helping Temperance the next day, because I indeed did need them. Ah, stress.

Thursday, June 9, 2011
*Mac. Baskets.
*Pecan Tuile.
*Lemon Tuile.
*Milk and Honey.

This was the most crazy, busy, exciting night in Jasmine. I do not remember how many we served but it was a lot. I was tired by the end of the night, to say the least.

Friday, June 10, 2011
Temperance was supposed to be off, but she came to prepare everything for Loggerhead Buffet that night. I did everything for Jasmine, minus a few things that Temperance was so kind to do for me! :)
*Vanilla Shortbread.
*Milk and Honey (200).
*Creme Brulee.
*Mac. Baskets.
*Pecan Tuile.
*Lemon Tuile.
*Chocolate Glass Tuile.
*Chocolate Chip Cookies.
*Lime Chantilly.

Apparently, there is a kid's buffet every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Jasmine. Hmm. I asked. They said no buffet. Wrong. I had to run around to prepare cookies for that at 5:30. I also transported a truffle plate for Chef Larry and that was crazy, too.

What do you give a one-year-old for their birthday? Ice cream? I don't know.

Rob King, who preps for Jasmine and works the back station, most often, made me this delicious dinner that I thought I should include on the blog.

Saturday, June 11, 2011
*Lemon Lace Tuile Batter.
*Milk and Honey.

My last night was bittersweet. We were not super busy, but for some reason, it was still a late night. I tried to say all my goodbyes, but I hope they were more like see ya laters. After work, a group of us went to King Street in Freshfield's. It was great and meant a lot to see some Kiawah faces and celebrate with them.

Sunday, June 12, 2011
My last Sunday Funday in Charleston was perfect. Zia for lunch. Pool time in the afternoon. Pesto Pasta made by Erin and Erin. WILD WINGS for drinks and dancing. And, finally, of course, Waffle House to end the night! Enjoy these pictures from the night.

"Hey Robert. Run up the Custom House, a Charleston landmark, stairs."
Heather and I are having fun, while Erin is masking her fun with sadness (because I'm leaving).
This photo is too great NOT to post and NOT to document my last night. I feel like I could figure out who I was singing, but does it really matter?! :)
Mmmm. Chocolate chip pancakes and hashbrowns (scattered, chunked, and covered, of course) at WaHo at 3 am. It's like eating at a Michelin star restaurant. :)
Erin is sad. Haley is sad. Erin is wanting her bed?!
86 Haley? This is hug number 1 and pre-puddle. As I was walking out the door, I saw Erin start to cry and I started bawling. It was like a movie... me running back inside to give her another hug. That's true bff love.

Saying goodbye to Heather, Robert, Erin, and Erin was like ripping my heart into four pieces. Thank you for coming out on my last night, y'all. I will miss each of you so, so, so much. I will see you all in July. Mark your calendars for Wild Wings! :)

As my externship in the South comes to an end, I find it only appropriate to end my post with an end to my church signs series:

"Remember, hell is uncool."
"If the wages of sin is death, then don't you want to quit before payday?"

"BE YOUNG, BE FOOLISH, BE HAPPY"

Haley weeps a lot

*Happy Belated Anniversary, Kellee and BT. This is an exciting year. Enjoy your last few months before two becomes three. I can't wait to meet little Tynlee!