Tour of Wisconsin

Welcome back Mates! Like I said previously the voyage ahead is going to be a blast, so I hope you are ready to join the fun. On Thursday, February 16 I began my short tour of Wisconsin. My day started off with me calling my little brother Nick for his birthday. He turned fifth teen, I can’t believe how old he is getting and within one year he will be able to drive. This only means I am getting older, but after I turned twenty-one I don’t keep track of my age because then it makes me feel old in a way.
After I finished talking to him, I headed off to class for my Ethnic Restaurant class. We were discussing how to run a restaurant by using good customer service, which is very crucial to a business. This was a good topic, but my mind wasn’t focus because I was getting super excited for the Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan concert at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Since it was a country concert, I dressed up in my country outfit. Luckily enough I was able to stay focused for the rest of class. After class I did some home work because I knew I wouldn’t have enough time to do it later. Then my friend Angel and I attended a Tea Party at Park Terrace on campus hosted by Instructor Lois Zimmerman’s cold sandwich class. She always know how make her class productive and fun. The food selection was excellent, we enjoyed all the various types of tea sandwiches, and the desserts were amazing. It is amazing how full you can get from eating these small bite-size sandwiches. Once we finished I was super full and it was time for me to head home to get ready for the concert.

I was going to the concert with my friend Haley from school; she is a big country fan as well. We purchased these tickets five months ago and we couldn’t believe the day finally came. We also heard the concert was sold out, so we knew the concert was going to be awesome. As we were driving up to Green Bay we were jamming out too Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan songs. After an hour and twenty minute drive we finally arrived at the Resch Center. It didn’t take long for us to get inside then we found our seats with no problem. The concert started with 2011 American Idol winner Lauren Alaina and she had a beautiful voice and full of energy. The party really started when artist Luke Bryan came on stage and got the fans dancing and singing. We were having a blast then intermission came for the stage setup for Jason Aldean. I decided this was a good time to get something to drink and eat. As I came on the concourse I saw friends and people who I haven’t seen in a long time. It seemed like a lot of people who I knew were there. Fifteen minutes later Jason Aldean came on stage and the fun got even better. This concert was so fun that I wish it would never end, but of course all good things do come to an end. My friend Haley and I definitely agreed this concert was worth the money, value and experience. Heading home there was a little traffic getting out but it wasn’t a big problem. Our ears were ringing from the loud speakers and our voices were nearly gone from singing the whole night. Like I said before it was worth it! Well after an exciting day and night it was time for me to get some sleep because I have a busy weekend ahead. See you on the next voyage!
Cheers,
Lee IV

Friday Cheer

G’day mates! I must say sorry for the delay with my blogs. This semester has been filled with busy work than I hadn’t expected. With deadlines on scholarships, homework assignments, projects, club meetings, and much more my plate is full, but there is always room for fun. This is why I am excited to blog to share my experience and have you read my blogs. I appreciate you taking time out of the day to read my typical life during my college years. No two days are alike therefore I try my best to keep things updated and enjoyable.

Anyway, on Friday February 10, there is a reason why I title this blog Friday Cheer. It is because it is the weekend and I have a little more time to do fun activities. My day started with me updating my resume for future companies to fit their criteria, and then I plan on finding my career job once I finish my program in December 2012. Although I am nervous I am ready to take on different challenges and make my dream into a reality. After doing some errands around town I got ready to work at Service Master. My shift went smooth and since it was Friday there weren’t a lot of things to clean up compared to Mondays. As I finished work I headed off to Fond du Lac Theater to watch the new release film “The Vow” with some friends. That weekend was filled with interesting films that kept the movie theater packed. There was a good crowd of people attending the film, and movie critics gave good reviews for this film. I was interested watching this film because “The Vow” was based on true events. This film was about a married couple who were in a car accident, and the wife lost her short term memory. Her husband battled with many problems because the wife only remembers her life before they ever met. To battle with this issue was very hard. Throughout the film it showed the up and downs of their relationship after the car accident. I won’t ruin the film for you, but you can check out a sneak preview on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELg843Ot9CQ. I hope you get a chance to watch this film because this film will make you look at life in a different perspective.
Well mates, on that note I must call it a day on today’s voyage, but in my next blogs I will be sailing into various parts of Wisconsin. I hope you get well rested because these adventures ahead is something you don’t want left on shore and missing the fun. See you soon! Ciao!

Busy Monday

G’day mates! February 6, was a special day because it was my mother’s birthday. Although I wasn’t able to celebrate with her I did send a card to her in the mail, and she loved it! Sometimes it is hard not seeing my family all the time because we live three hours away, but I make sure we constantly keep in touch with our busy schedule either by phone, mail, or text. After I finish talking to my mother on the phone I got ready for my busy day of errands. I first went to H&R Block to file for my taxes, this process didn’t take as long as I expected. The staff members were friendly and they made sure any questions I had were answered, and made sure my tax return was a smooth return. Afterwards I headed down to Blessed Bee Cupcake because I couldn’t resist some cupcakes. The special for this week was Guinness and RumChata cupcakes, and they were delicious -- filled with moisture that was out of this world. Once I got my sweet tooth fix in I got ready for my classes.

In my catering class we worked on our personal catering business. It is pretty fun and creative to come up with a catering business and running it as a real business. The name of my business is called JukeboxLee catering service which specializes in tailgating party from different sporting events. Once class finished I quickly got ready for our culinary club meeting. We went over our agenda of upcoming events and creating committee groups to participate in upcoming fundraisers. Afterwards it was time for my Nutrition class. We discuss the nutrition values of food and talking about how they can be healthy or unhealthy. This class is very interesting because we are able to discuss the purpose of food and how it can improve people’s health. During our break time we were able to sample various types of eggs from another class of breakfast pasta and grain. They were learning how to cook eggs in different methods, and like I always say the best part of culinary is eating and sampling. I did over indulge myself with eggs, but it was well worth it! We finished class a little earlier, and then we were able to work on our assignment for the following week. It didn’t take me long to finish then I decided to go home and relax after a long busy Monday. Well mates, like always it is a pleasure to share my journey with you, until next time Ciao!

Cheers,
Lee IV

Super Bowl Sunday

G’day Mates! Super Bowl Sunday is one of the biggest days of the year. As most of you probably know, this year’s matchup was between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. I wasn’t too excited for the game because none of my favorite teams made it, but I was excited for the commercials to see what company had the best one. My day started off with me going to work at Qdoba which wasn’t too bad because a lot of people were getting ready for the Super Bowl party. Afterwards my friend Rachel and I headed up to Appleton, Wisconsin to do some shopping at the Fox Valley mall. We found some great deals on clearance items at different stores. Once we finish shopping we worked up an appetite so we decided to get some supper at TGI Friday’s. There weren’t many people in the restaurant so we decided to eat in the bar area because were able to watch the game as well. Looking through the menu was hard because there were so many great entrees to choose from; it took me about ten minutes to decide what I wanted. I chose this new deal on the menu, which was an appetizer, an entrée, and a dessert, all for $12.99. This is definitely a bang for your buck, I recommend it if you come to this restaurant to check out their menu special. By the way, the food turned out wonderful and everything was fulfilling. At this time we were having a good time talking, watching the game, and laughing at the commercials. My favorite commercial of all was the M&M one because I could relate to the theme they were talking about. Check out the commercial click on the link at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q33drZUXSzY . I guarantee you will get a good laugh out of it.

At halftime we figured we should head home so we’d have enough time to watch the second half of the big game. Once I got home I quickly turned the game on to make sure I didn’t miss anything because this game was more intense and close than I expected. I decided it would be a good idea for me to do my homework at the same to multitask, but that didn’t last long because I was glued to the television. Each team was playing their hearts out since the game was on the line. I was cheering for the New York Giants because I can’t stand the New England Patriots because of long term rivals. In the final minute of the game nobody knew who was going to take home the championship trophy because the game kept going back and forth. During the last play of the game the Giants had the lead, but the Patriots had the ball to win. With a Hail Mary throw to win, the Patriots didn’t catch the ball, therefore the Giants won Super Bowl XLVI. I clapped in joy, and texted some of my friends on the east coast to congrats them on their team winning. They were super excited. After an intense game and day I called it a day and started on my homework. Until next time, Ciao!

Cheers,
Lee IV

Good o Thursday, Feb. 2

G’day Mates, today I had to wake up early but it was worthy for a special event. I was invited to attend a Rotary Club breakfast meeting at South Hill’s Golf & Country Club in Fond du Lac. I was the nominated student of the month for Moraine Park Technical College for my leadership skills both in and outside of the classroom, and being involved with various activities. It was an honor to meet and connect to the President of the club and other members in the community. Some of the members I recognized from my previous school at Marian University. The meeting started with a buffet style breakfast, followed by the opening of the meeting. Shortly afterwards I gave a short speech to the members about myself and the future goals I plan on doing. Speaking in front of people gives me the opportunity to share my experience and encourage people to try new things. After my speech the meeting continued with the agenda followed by a video presentation about a soy cow program hosted in Peru. Soy cow is program that assists the less privilege by passing out calcium products to the community to improve their diets. To find out more information, check out the website at http://www.dreamcenterperu.com/projects.htm. This is an excellent program started by a member of the Rotary Club. To find out more information on Fond du Lac’s morning Rotary Club check out the website at http://www.fdlmorningrotary.com/.

After the meeting I headed off to school for my ethnic restaurant class. We went over costing sheets and menus for our restaurant day. As a reminder my restaurant day is on May 3, 2012 at Park Terrace Restaurant at Moraine Park Technical College’s Fond du Lac campus, and my cuisine is South Korea. If you have the opportunity to come my restaurant day I recommend and it will be an honor to have a great turnout on my restaurant day. After class I basically got some homework done before I DJ’ing at Slim and Chubby’s later that night. There was a good turnout of people that came and danced the night away. I love to DJ because it gives me the opportunity to learn and play songs from different genres and make sure people have a great time! After an early morning and a late night, it is time for me to sleep because Super Bowl weekend is ahead, and I am looking forward the commercials and entertainment! Ciao!

Cheers,
Lee IV

Hello February!

Ahoy Mates! Today, Wednesday, February 1 is the start of a new month! Usually February is a short month, but this year we have an extra day due to Leap Year and the weather has been wonderful for it being winter. Since I don’t have class on Wednesdays until the second half of the semester, I am able to work more hours at my jobs. We were a bit busy for a Wednesday at Qdoba, but I got through the day because I was looking forward to go bowling with my friends from MPTC. As I finished my work at my second job at Service Master I quickly headed home, and changed into my bowling gear. Afterwards I headed over to Ledgeview Lanes to go bowling with my friends. These weekly bowling nights come in handy because I am able to hangout and relax with friends outside of the classroom. Like always it is always a great time singing, dancing, and bowling at the Lanes, never a dull moment. I didn’t reach my goal of breaking 200 yet, but I came close in two games. Well like they all say practice makes perfect! I am hoping next week I can achieve my goal, but most important I have a great outing with my friends. Afterwards we grabbed a quick bite at Taco Bell before we headed home. I can tell even though February is a short month it is going to a busy month filled with homework, projects, scholarship applications, and much more! No worries though I get to share my experience with you, as I continue to learn how to create an amazing video blog! Well mates, that is all for now time for bed. Ciao!

Cheers,
Lee IV

Ahoy Madison, Wisconsin

On Tuesday, January 31, I had the opportunity to do a presentation in the State Capitol. I was nominated to represent MPTC’s Fond du Lac campus for culinary arts to talk about community service projects. Students and staff members from each of MPTC’s campuses drove in a van to represent our schools in the capital. This event, ‘’A Celebration of Student Engagement’’ held in the State Capitol Rotunda was a showcase focusing on Wisconsin’s Technical College students from around the state to represent hardworking commitment we do both in and out of the classroom. I was glad to meet fellow classmates from other schools and network with people around the state. Once we arrived at the capitol we started to set up our display projects on the second floor of the building. The sight inside is amazing; it always impresses me how people built beautiful structures and last all these years. I have some pictures below to show how amazing the artwork inside was like. Shortly after the event started; we talked to students and instructors from other schools and learned new information about different programs. Around lunch time we were offered free lunch from Jimmy Johns, consisting of a sandwich, chips, and a drink which was super tasty.

As lunch came to an end it was time for us to get back in action to present our display, and talk to our legislative leaders from our district. Although we are coming from technical schools we still have the same opportunity of becoming successful as a person coming from a four year university. Guest speaker, Mark Schmitz, owner and founder of zebradog.com talked about his success he gained from a technical school, and now owns a business across the street from the Capitol building. His speech was very motivating and gave awareness that funding in technical colleges is just as important. Towards the end of the event we received certificates of achievement from our district legislators, and gave one final speech about what we are doing in the community to make an impact. As that finished up we started to pack up and headed back to Fond du Lac. Overall this event was successful to me because I had the opportunity to network with other students and schools. I hope there will more people next year because people should be aware of the opportunities of networking and being involved in the community. Well mates that is all for now, stay tuned for the next voyage!
Cheers,
Lee IV

Week 2 of school

G’day Mates, after a busy weekend of working and playing soccer it was time to get ready for week two of school. In my Food Principles class we went over culinary terms, and talked about how we can use these terms in our career. There were a lot of terms I was unaware of because I haven’t had much experience in the food industry, and some of the terms originated from French or Italian cuisine. Nevertheless I gained knowledge of using these terms to communicate with people, and utilize culinary terms into my writing. After class I had a two hour break before my next class, so I decided to get a haircut at Techniques salon on campus. The cosmetology department offers a hair salon that is open to the public for a reasonable cost. This allows the students to gain more experience cutting and styling hair. I figured since the students don’t get much experience on men’s hair I would assist by letting them cut my hair. The one student was a bit nervous, but I told her no worries it’s the only way you have to get practice so no pressure. During the haircut the instructor kept checking to make sure everything was going well, and to say the least, I was satisfied with my haircut. After my haircut they shampooed and conditioned my hair all for seven dollars which is a great bargain. I told them I would come back and recommend others to come here for haircuts. Click here to see a list of their services: http://www.morainepark.edu/services/techniques-salon/#student-labs

Afterwards I got some lunch in the cafeteria then headed into my Food Styling class. We went over our recipes and ideas of how we wanted to design our plating for the food competition next month on March 12 in Milwaukee. With the students in class we have a lot of fun making jokes and coming up with new ideas to have the opportunity to win and place in the competition. I am super excited and nervous but this will give me more experience and make me a better person by challenging myself. After class I got ready for our first culinary club meeting. In this meeting we introduced new members to the club, and talked about our plans for fundraisers this semester. We have to do with a busy schedule ahead, but that is what we best working under pressure and getting things accomplish. Our main goal is to raise money for our Germany trip which is open for everyone including nonstudents, and our food show in Chicago. Both of these trips will be held in May, if you want more information check out the culinary corner board or contact me for more information. Our meetings for the culinary club will held every Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. in room A111, so don’t hesitate, come join the fun! Well mates after a long day, it is time for me to do some homework. I’ll catch you on the next voyage!

Cheers,
Lee IV

Something buzzing in town!

On Thursday, January 26, I started my day off by going to my ethnic restaurant class. I was super excited to start this class because we are able to pick a cuisine of our choice, and use those recipes for our restaurant day. Basically in this class we are taught how to run a restaurant from the front of the house to the back of the restaurant. These hands on techniques are one of a kind to get a sneak preview of how running a real restaurant would be. We went in order telling our instructor what ethnic cuisine we wanted to get, and I was sure I would get India because I love the spices in this region. Before I was able to pick India my friend Julie picked India and I was shocked, but she didn’t know I wanted that country so then I said well I’ll pick another country. Although I was sad I couldn’t get my first choice, I decided another country to choose would be South Korea. Once I did some research I was satisfied with my second choice. We also received our date for our restaurant day and my day is on May 3, 2012 at Park Terrace at Moraine Park Technical College on the Fond du Lac campus So mark off your calendar for this day because the food will be delicious, and I would be pleased to see a lot of people to come out.
After class was done some of my friends and I decided to check out this new Bakery in town called Blessed Bee Bakery located downtown Fond du Lac on Main Street. We were curious to see what this new bakery had to offer. As we entered the bakery our first thought was we were impressed with the layout of the shop. The candy decoration displays on the walls were unique and each turn we made we saw more things that impressed us. After a customer was finished with her purchased we got a chance to speak with the owner! Aimee McCarty owner of the bakery gave us an inside look of how she started her business, and she told us some exciting new things coming soon to her business. Of all the business I’ve seen opening in town on Main Street I have a feeling this business will go far based on the goals Aimee has. I am excited to see a business with a lot of potentials opening its doors to the community. If you get a chance I reckon you stop in and try a cupcake because they are amazing, and I’m guaranteed you will go home satisfied. At least for me I will be back in a heartbeat, and I will have the pictures to show you. Well mates after finishing a delicious cupcake that would be all for today, I will catch you soon on my next adventure!

Cheers,
Lee IV

Australia Day

On Wednesday January 28,I was able to do my Australia presentation at MPTC. I was curious of seeing how many people would come because I always get excited about talking about my experience in Australia. I love doing these presentations because I am able to share and bring awareness about another country, and hopefully encourage people to travel and study aboard in the near future. My event was sponsored by the Diversity office for Lunch n'Learns; anybody who attended my presentation received a free lunch voucher. It was a slow start for people to come in, but then minute’s later people started to show up, and they looked eager to hear my presentation. Mr. Green introduced me and gave a brief glimpse of what the Diversity office has to offer. Afterwards I started my presentation with a ten minute video of my experience in Australia in four months of paradise. Afterwards I opened the floor for people to ask questions about what they were unsure of and discuss my adventures down under. Once people were done asking questions I showed my souvenirs I collected over the months. These gifts I will always keep because my heart is in Australia, and if there is an opportunity for me to go back I will go in a heartbeat. If would like to watch my video you can reach me by email at mcclendon_lee@yahoo.com, tweet me @ jukeboxlee4, or facebook me. Well mates stay tune on my next blog!

Cheers,
Lee IV