NAVIGATING MY AWKWARD POST-GRAD LIFE

Allow me to bring you up to speed (on my life).

I graduated from college one year ago. I didn’t follow the “normal” postgraduate route and find a nine to five job. Instead, I spent last summer waiting tables on the docks of Lake Minnetonka, buying impromptu plane tickets to Albuquerque, New Mexico, Chicago, Illinois, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Then, I decided to learn French, so I bought a one-way ticket to France. I was told on a daily basis how “crazy” I was and that I should just settle down and find a job.

It would have been easier for me to listen to this so-called “advice,” but I’m glad I stuck to my gut and took off for France with nothing but my camera, computer, and very heavy suitcase.

I lightened my load along the way and got rid of what I could, because, quite frankly, pulling a suitcase that weighs almost as much as you do up 200 or more stairs in the metro is way more work than a few pairs of pants and sweaters are worth.

During the seven months I spent in France not only did I see a new part of the world, I learned a third language, met more interesting people than I can count on two hands, and discovered that being “crazy” is not only fun, but also rewarding.

I flew back to Minnesota mid June to visit my family and make enough cash to move again. I’m heading to New York on September 7 and possibly back to Paris for one month. I’m not sure where I’ll be living come October, but I have six weeks to figure that out. That’s plenty of time, right?

The post-graduate cookie cutter plan isn’t for everyone.

Life is about trying on hundreds of different hats until you find a perfect fit. I’ve worn many hats over the last year, from a student, to a waitress, a writer, a news reporter, a storyteller, a gardener, a nanny, and more.

I’m still navigating my awkward post-college life, debating if grad school is the right decision for me, applying for jobs almost every day, and living in my childhood bedroom. Most people think that’s every college grad’s worst nightmare. Not mine. Living with my parents and working anywhere from one to three jobs, depending on the day, has allowed me to begin making my dreams my reality. I get to explore the world.

OH-LA-LA!

At L’Herbe Folle lunch isn’t complete without a homemade dessert and me-oh-my are they good.  Raphaëlle seems to test my self-control (i.e. sweet tooth) on a daily basis.   My cooking and baking skills remain slightly questionable, but I’ve learned – well, watched – how to make a few of the desserts.  My tasting skills, on the other hand, have been put to good use!

Without further ado, I give you a sweet taste of happiness:

I didn’t think I liked Creme Brûlée, then I tasted it here. It is life changing.

Warm homemade galette is like tasting a slice of heaven.
(Galette: layers of pastry with an almond cream filling)

Île Flottante or Floating Island is a poached meringue that floats in crème anglaise (English cream). If I wouldn’t get sick and didn’t have a conscience, I think I could drink a few cups of crème anglaise. Adding a poached meringue to it makes it that much better, but it’s not complete without caramel drizzled on top… which I forgot to add before I snapped this photo! 

Mousse à la Framboise – Rasberry Mousse

Making Macaroons
When Raphaëlle told me we were going to make macaroons, I might have started drooling. It’s a slightly lengthy process, but I taste tested along the way. The almond flour needs to be ground up to a very fine consistency, mixed with egg whites, sugar and a few other ingredients until it becomes shiny. The “batter” is shaped into bite size pieces and then, you wait… for hours, until they are ready. My first attempt at making them (with help of course) wasn’t the most successful… something happened to half of them, but they still tasted phenomenal! I told Raphaëlle we should make them with all of the workawayers, I’ll be an expert by the end of my stay here if we do!

Vacherin Fraise: a homemade meringue in between two layers of strawberry ice cream topped with homemade whipped cream.

I’ve only covered about half of the desserts she has made. There have been a few chocolate cakes that are to die for, tiramisu, homemade caramel, apple crumble and more, but I’ll give you a taste of those another time!