Week 2 at Les Roches

As I was just typing "Week 2" as my title of this blog, I began to think to myself, "Is it already week 2?" This past week was so incredibly busy! As things began to pick up, the level of being homesick decreased at the speed of gravity. Monday was a very long day. It is the longest day at the school as I wake up at 5:45 to shower and suit up and walk down the hill to my bus stop and sit in class all day without arriving back to my residence until 7:00pm. I guess they are teaching me the real world, ey!

Some funny things that have occured in my classes: I am the team leader in Food and Beverage Productions. In that class we discuss the key components of the industry and do a lot of hands on activity. For our final project we are given a case scenario in which we have a budget and have to plan up to a ten course meal for approximately 600 guests. In this project we have to do every single detail as if it were reality. We have to even design the kitchen layout (with 3D computer skills)! It won't be too bad, but the logistics are heavy.

In French class the professor asked me in French, "What did you study before you came to Les Roches?" and I responded in French saying, "I came from du Parc" (which is where I live here in Switzerland). I felt pretty stupid but everyone laughed, so it was ok I suppose!

Wednesday is our practical day. The busiest day of the week. We are assigned throughout the semester specific restaurants around campus in which we serve, wait tables, and cook. The next 3 weeks we are assigned to the Market Place, the main restaurant. We will be cooking. This past week I was assigned to be in the hot kitchen to prep foods for 600 guests. I made carbonera sauce from scratch! He literally gave me 20 pounds of bacon, and a lot of ham in which I diced myself and put in a huge bowl as I sauteed and added the rest of the ingredients! It was amazing! I was in a full chef outfit with a hair net and even a hat! I won't lie, it was pretty exhausting running around and cooking all day. 600 people is a lot of people to serve in a two hour time frame! On top of all the fluster, I accidentally locked my key to my locker INSIDE my locker. So I was frazzled and stressed, to say the least. After we cooked, served, and cleaned the chef and I had a very bonding experience. He gathered some kitchen tools and broke into my locker at 9pm at night...it was hysterical...and very loud! But he managed to do the job, for sure! I got asked to be the head leader of the cold kitchen (where we prep salads, fruits, anything cold...really) for this Wednesday. I assign my classmates duties and make sure each person executes them throughout the day. I am really excited, but I know it will be pretty intense! I guess the best way to learn is hands on!

I am also taking a class in beverages. I think this class is going to be my favorite! Haha! It's main focus is wines (we learn the best soil techniques for the grapes, each type of grape and the acidic level, the temperature for grapes, etc), but later in the semester we will approach champagnes, beers, and coffees (how to make different coffee drinks, all the different beans, etc). Love it! I will definitely teach anyone who wants to learn. We even have our own wine production here at the school. We get to drink different wines in class, too. Luxury!

We had Friday off of classes this week due to a cantonal holiday. I don't really know why, but I definitely did not complain! Thursday night the BBA program had a party in which you pay 15 Francs (approx 15 dollars) and you can drink all the beer and liquor you want. Get crazy! It was a blast. Check out my pictures on Facebook for further details! Friday night, Paula (Brazil), Audrey (Canada), and Sophie (France) all hung out and had a few glasses of wine. I was in the Becca mood where I was giggly and laughing at everything, so needless to say I was having a blast. At about 1am, Paula and I decided to go to the bar which is about one mile walking distance away. It was fun, but rainy and cold. The weather is beginning to get a little chilly...I can't even imagine what it will be like come December! As for today, I am getting organized so I can hit the books all day tomorrow and some tonight. As you can tell I am having a blast, but school mode is about to kick in. The classes are awesome, but I think I may struggle a little bit in French (haha, in reference to the story above) and Financial Management (haha, are you surprised at that...me and money!). So, I will be doing a lot of studying in those categories! I wanted to go on a hike, to Zurich, or Montreux this weekend but the weather isn't cooperating and I will be heading to Milano next weekend! I feel lazy and as if I am not taking advantage of this amazing country, but I figured I would actually focus on my studies and organizational skills prior to delving into the books. It is sad to know that you realize you are growing up. Looking back, I wouldn't even begin to admit all these things about studies at PC. Real world, here I come baby!

Well, I guess PC is about to start classes if they have not already begun. Kinda weird, but I am not too sad. Very surprised how easily I have conformed to this way of life over here. From crying the first few days here, to not even being able to cry (other than laughing so hard) in less than a week is pretty crazy. If I were to give any advice, just stay busy...that way I won't have time to think about things. Head is screwed on tight, I am ready to learn! I can't be any happier to realize that I have found my calling in hospitality. I am so pumped!!! I don't know exactly what I want to do, but I imagine I will cross that bridge at a later time!

I feel as if I am writing a book, so I think I may stop. I hope everyone is doing well across the pond, and life is only happy for all!

Love,
Becca