Why I Cook and How I learned

Cooking has always been something that I enjoyed to do. And although my mother and I don't always get along, I'm so grateful for her to teach me how to cook. Even if I didn't want to learn at the time! My mom knows how to cook. I'm still impressed she was able to work a full time job and have dinner on the table by 5:30 every night and we would all sit around and eat AS A FAMILY.

I can't even do that and I'm living alone and am done with work by 4 most days. Do moms have serious super powers? How do I get them without being a mom?

Don't get me wrong, I want to be a mom ONE DAY. Just not today.. or tomorrow.. or maybe the next five years. I need to get through grad school and, you know, get married.

Oh, I didn't talk about grad school! Well because my life needs to be hectic all the time, I decided to go back to school for a concurrent masters degree. That's right, people TWO degrees. Masters of Arts in PR/Advertising and a Masters of Business Administration. I am hoping to be completed by Summer 2015, I started Spring 2013. So, just chuggin along, about half way to go!

Ok, back to cooking.

I love cooking. But cooking for one is stupid. Sure, I can whip up something delicious but then I have so much leftovers, and I hate leftovers. (I know, such a food waster, but it's true!)

My true rant here is how do people not know how to cook? I watched Worst Cooks in America and I about died. Seriously?! How can someone over the age of 10 not know how to cook. Don't get me wrong, when I was younger I couldn't figure out how to boil water without it being in the teapot. But I still could boil water! What's your excuse?

This all goes back to my mother. She really taught me her ways and I realize how much I cook like her. You read a recipe and then do a similar but probably nothing at all like the recipe.  It actually works, really well!

- As I write this blog, I'm talking about how I can't sew at all, which is funny because my mother was also a seamstress for a while. I can sew without a machine, but not with one.

Why Hello There!

I remember way back when blogging started and everyone had an online journal. I'm sure if I did a large Google search you could still find my journal or Myspace page. I started a blog a few months ago, but then only posted maybe two posts and stopped. I was super into it but then got busy, I realize it's more of a lifestyle to keep up and I also didn't have a theme I wanted to use. 

I am trying to expand my career in many ways for digital marketing, and figured blogging would be a great way to familiarize myself with the tool. I also love to cook and am trying to get healthy. I know everyone has a cooking blog, but who doesn't want to share tasty recipes with the world?  Yes, Pinterest has helped that a lot, but I want to share my own experiences too! 

Well, let's start at the beginning: 

A little bit about me: 

Is it weird I'm having trouble starting this? Do I start with my career or with my life outside of my job? I feel like my job shouldn't define me, but it kinda does! Ugh. Let's try this...

I am from Pittsburgh, PA, born and raised. I love the city though can't stand the cold. It is my hometown, and I will always bleed black and gold even if I leave for whatever reason. 

My family and I during POPS Christmas Concert 2013

My family mean the world to me, though there are times I wish I could disown them. I have a baby sister who just turned 24. (Ha, yes I said baby.. she's still my baby!) She is trying to find her way in this big bad world as a MPH (not miles per hour, but masters of public health). It's hard as the older sister to watch her struggle, but I know she will figure it out soon. 

Vito

Other than my crazy family, I'm madly, deeply, head over heels in love with this guy, Brad :). We are pretty much the same person and I couldn't be more excited to start a life and future with him.  Oh, and I need to mention, I'll be adopting a puppy as my son. Brad has a [sometimes] sweet Boston Terrier named Vito. Although I literally die every time I walked in a room with a dog, we have gotten the allergies under control so I can live with the two of them! We move in together in June after my lease is up!

Our cute but somewhat corny picture. The photo session was a gift for my birthday. 

Lastly, but definitely not least, I couldn't imagine my world without my best friends to stand by me and pick me up when times are tough. Although my best friends are no longer living in Pittsburgh, I know I can always count on them to have my back in various situations. It's hard to grow and lose friends, but there are a few that have been with me through thick and thin. Heck, I've know Aleana for 24 years, I don't think she is going anywhere fast! I'm proud of my friends and all their accomplishments too. I'll gush more about that later!