ADJUSTING SAILS

Well, I left you on a cliffhanger! Oh, how quickly things can change. I fully expected to be writing about my first week externing in NYC, but, in an unexpected plot twist, I am sitting in my home office typing away on a rainy day in Austin.

Sung to the tune of “My Sharona,” I’ve been lamenting “Ayyyyyy, Corona,” and the second verse, “WHYYYYY, Corona?!” all week. As workplaces, schools, and restaurants slowly began to shut their doors, I was bracing for ICE to close. We only had one class and one final exam left before we were all set to venture off to our externships. The days passed and the school remained open, so I thought maybe we could at least finish out the classroom portion of our program.

On Monday, just before we were all about to head to class, we received notification that the school would be closing for an undetermined amount of time, given the situation. It was both saddening and a relief knowing we could safely social distance and not put classmates and staff at risk.

As restaurants were starting to shut their doors voluntarily, we slowly began to get word that externship offers were being revoked. And once NYC mandated that restaurants and bars close, all externships were officially postponed. We were asked to take a leave of absence from the program until things calm down and everything is back up and running.

With this news and the uncertainty of timing, I decided to head back to Austin to WFH here until the chaos settles. I flew out exactly six months to the day of moving to NYC, and it was hard to say goodbye. While this chapter feels unfinished at the moment, I realize how lucky I am. My heart goes out to those in the restaurant world and all of the people who are sick, have lost jobs, lost childcare, and more.

Though I do not know for sure what this means for the future and school, for now, I will be hunkering down in Austin working, cooking, and creating. I recently took a class on croissants and brioche, and voila! I happen to have a spare three days to whip up some croissants.

However this is affecting you, we are in it together. I’m here if you want to FaceTime over tea and scones, to answer any random questions on livening up the food in your freezer, or to send you yoga videos when you’re feeling bleh.

“We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.”

Sending virtual hugs and a warm almond croissant.

xx,

J