London Day Two

G'day Mates. Welcome to my last day in London! I must say I am a bit sad because London is so massive, but Sophia and I made sure we could see all the things we could see especially all the tourist attractions. After knowing where everything was located from our previous tours, we felt like pros traveling throughout the city.  We visited different museums including The National and the National Portrait Museums, follow by a local art museum where local artist display their work, and paint their art live. It blew my mind to see how much talent these artist have with animals and still life pictures. Afterwards we walked along the river to see the main attractions along the water side of town. There were a lot of people enjoying the beautiful weather, and enjoying their holiday. I got some unique pictures to show you, and hopefully my video will work to show some live footage of the different cities.  Since I love to eat we stopped at a Britain pub restaurant. I figure since I am on holiday I must try the various cuisines. At the pub I got a beef rib pie with mashed potatoes and carrots on the side. It was delicious and the amount of food I received was perfect for dinner, and of course I tried local beer from London. It was actually good, although they serve their beer warm because of the process that they make beer it must be served in a certain way.  Once we got back to our hostel Sophia headed off to bed and I stayed awake for a while because I love the nightlife and I am a night owl. I headed downstairs to the bar that was located inside and they were showing the futbol match between England and Norway. I was excited because I was able to cheer on England as I was actually in London. I met some really friendly people who were watching the game as well, and they were from South Africa, France, Norway, and Australia.  We were having a good time watching the game and getting to know one another. The best part of traveling is meeting people from all over the world and making connections. This is the main reason why I encourage people to take the step to discover the world because there are so many things to see and do.   Well mates this concludes my last night in London. I need to come back someday, but I am looking forward for my trip to Paris, France. I shall see you on the mainland mates!!

Cheers,

Lee IV

Day One in London

G'day Mates! Welcome to London. I must warn you this is going to be a fast trip throughout London.  My friend Sophia and I booked three walking tours for London on our first day. Our first tour was a free walking tour of Royal London where we learned about the Royal family and the history of how things are done in their policies. During this tour we were able to see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, 10 Downing Street, and many more historical sites.  I was amazed with the information I gained during this tour. It felt like I was in a history class, but better because I was able to visualize the information first hand. In our second tour we saw the Old City of London. In this tour   we saw the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, Covent Garden, and other fun unique sites around the city.  The historical value of learning about these places is priceless and I will remember this information for a long time. Our last tour of the day included Grim Reapers of London; which talked about Jack the Ripper, Ghost of Ancient London, former execution sites, and other mysterious information about the city. It amazes me the things people find in the city and how the city evolved during the decades. I recommend if traveling to a city to check out the company, Sandemans, free walking tour guides as they can be found in many European cities. After a long twelve hours of walking through the city we got hungry. We decided to check out a local India restaurant that is famous in London. The food was amazing and worth the cost because everything was fresh and spicy just the way I like it. Afterwards we headed to the tube (underground rail system) to head back to our hostel. Since we had another long day ahead we went to bed to get rested for our day two adventure in London. Until then I shall see you on our next adventure in our last day in London.

Cheers,

Lee IV

Last day in Dublin

G'day Mates! Today is my last day In Dublin, Ireland, but I made sure I saw as much as I could see before leaving. I finally got a chance to sleep in, and was well rested for the big day ahead. As Sophia and I got ready we had to pack because we had to check out for the day. Afterwards we headed out to eat breakfast at a local restaurant, and the meal was reasonably priced. I got scrambled eggs with toast, and coffee for 4 euros and it was delicious. As we finished we headed downtown to check out the free Museums in Dublin. We checked out some unique places that showed Ireland artwork, and artifacts that dated back for centuries. After going to several museums we worked up an appetite so we got food at a local Irish bar. I got an Irish stew with Irish soda bread and a local Irish stout beer, and I must say everything was worth the cost! I must say I am impressed with the portion sizes; it reminded me of being in Wisconsin with meat and potatoes. Being full in Ireland is a key component, but walking it off is simple. We decided to head off to the airport to make sure we didn't miss our flight to London. The check in was simple at the airport and we quickly entered our gate without any problems. In a matter of time we boarded our plane of Britain Midland Airways. The flight was smooth and only took an hour to arrive in London. It was a journey to get to our hostel because London is a huge place, but by following our nose and asking locals we found our hostel without any problems. Since we have a tour of the city in the morning I should get some sleep to get ready for the big day ahead. So I will catch you soon, and let you know in my next blog about my experience in the UK.

Cheers,

Lee IV

Day two of Dublin

G'day Mates! After a lovely first day in Dublin, the second day was even better. The day started off with me only having three hours of sleep because my friend Sophia and  I decided to go on a bus tour to Galway, Ireland. We left early in the morning at 7:10 a.m. and arrived at MacCoole Tours for our journey of the day. On this bus tour we visited a traditional Irish farm that has been with the family for 300 years, and we were guided to Burren Mountain Walk. We were astonished of the views we saw from the bus ride and walking around the different towns. In one stop we tried a real Irish coffee made with Jameson Whiskey, and it was yummy. Shortly afterwards we visited a Medieval Irish Castle called Dunguaire. It is amazing to see a building that lasted so long; I imagined what it would be like to live in the past. As we got on the bus the bus driver played Irish music, it was the perfect setting for an Irish tour. For our last stop we walked about Galway City to check out the shops and attractions, then  shortly afterwards we headed back to Dublin. I must say these tours are a great way to kick off this journey, but I must get some sleep because I probably had six hours of sleep in three days. In my next blog I'll talk about my last day in Ireland and my first night in London, England. See you soon!

Cheers,

Lee IV

Dublin Day 1

Hello Mates! After waiting months and days I have finally arrived in Dublin, Ireland to kick off my backpacking trip in Europe. Once we got off the airplane my friend Sophia and I checked into customs and got our passport stamped from Ireland. I was super excited to add another country to my passport. Afterwards we got on a bus to check into our Hostel. Dublin is busy filled with people, cars, and small streets I don't know how people drive in this city, but it works for the people. As we arrived at Generator Hostel we were amazed how nice this place looked. We were checking in but we were too early for check-in, so then we dropped off our bags in a locker room until it was time for us to check-in. As we walked back upstairs we were going to ask the staff where we should go see in the city, then a lady from out of nowhere told us her company does free walking tours of the city. Without any hesitation we quickly hopped on this opportunity because something free is always good. This company is called Sandman's and they offer free tours everyday then at night they run a Pub Crawl in the city. Our tour guide was fantastic, she showed us around the city, and her knowledge about the city and the history of Ireland was remarkable. I learned a lot about the Irish culture that I never knew before. There was not a moment when I got bored because every location in the history had a historical story behind it. The tour lasted five hours and I was filled with knowledge knowing how the Irish community became a country. Afterwards we were offered a meal deal for 10 euros. We could have a full meal with a drink, and I must say the portion sizes are not small. After eating a hearty meal I super full, but I was happy I got my money worth. Sophia and I decided it would be a great idea to walk off our full stomachs. Once our food digested we headed back to our Hostel to get ready for the Pub Crawl. As we entered our room we met two new people who just finished their studies in Copenhagen, and now they are on holiday before returning to the states. They were really friendly people; they even joined us to attend the Pub Crawl event. The Pub Crawl was a great way to meet people and get to know the local attractions and pubs. We had a great time going to five different pubs, and meeting people from all over the world. As the night came to an end we headed back to our Hostel and we shared stories and we received some great tips on what to do in our upcoming cities. After a long day and night without any sleep it was time for bed! In my next blog I will be talking about my adventure to Galway, Ireland and the western cities. See you soon!

Cheers,

Lee IV

Across the Pond

G’day mates!  Welcome to an exciting adventure ahead for the next month.  My friend Sophia and I will be discovering new countries, cuisines, and cultures.  For Day 1 of our trip we started in Chicago flying out of O’Hare International Airport. Before we departed we grabbed a quick bite to eat at Great American Bagel.  I got a turkey sandwich served on a cinnamon raisin bagel.  It sounds a bit odd, but the flavors marinated well with one another.  I recommend trying this sandwich because these bagels are amazing!  Our first flight was a short trip with a layover in Charleston, South Carolina which was smooth and super-fast flight.  After a two hour flight we got a little hungry again so we decided to eat at this restaurant called Carolina Barbecue.  I must say I recommend the food here because they had one of the best barbecue sauces I have tried thus far.  I got a beef brisket with macaroni and cheese and green beans.  I was full after this meal.  Shortly afterwards it was time for us to board our next flight to Dublin.  In my next blog I will talk about my day 1 in Dublin. I am super excited until then I’ll catch you across the pond. 

Cheers,

Lee IV

100th Blog Post

G’day Mates! It is an honor to announce this is my 100^th blog post! I can’t believe I am passing the 100^th mark, but I am happy to share this journey with you. As I look back it has been a fun, busy adventure, but things are just getting started. Now since summer break is here it is time to take a break from school and enjoy the hot weather. Things are about to get started because you’ll be able to follow my journey throughout Europe for a month. I am travelling from May 21 until June 19 with my friend Sophia from Moraine Park. Sophia and I will be discovering new places, food, and cultures. This will be one of my biggest trips besides when I studied abroad in Australia for a semester. As we encounter new countries I will be posting pictures and videos of our adventures. So sit back and enjoy the journey it is going to be heaps of fun! First stop will be in Dublin, Ireland for a couple of days; this is something you don’t want miss out on! Catch you soon mates!

Cheers,

Lee IV

Culinary Club goes bowling

Ahoy Mates! For the annual end of semester activity, the culinary club went bowling at Ledgeview Lanes. For all the hard work we put into fundraisers, going bowling was a great way for us to enjoy the end of the semester. There were twelve members of the culinary club who attend the event. We had a great time bowling and dancing the evening away. Although I haven’t gone bowling since March my scores were pretty good, and each game my scores went up. My highest game was a 174, and I was satisfied with that score. Hopefully in the near future I can be consistent with a score like that. We bowled four games and didn’t want to stop. Of course all good things come to an end so we all headed home. I am looking forward to next semester for a fresh start and meeting new culinary students. If you are looking for some fun and tasting great food, join the culinary club, I guarantee you will have a blast!

Cheers,

Lee IV

Culinary Students Goes Local

G’day mates! Recently I had the opportunity with other students in my Food Principles class to visit an organic farm. We visited Park Ridge Organics Farm in Fond du Lac to learn about sustainability and the importance of supporting and purchasing local business. Park Ridge Organics Farm

is a family owned and operated certified organic farm offering quality fresh seasonal produce. As we arrived, Robyn, our tour guide, and owner gave us a brief history of how they started their business and how they are impacting the community. I was amazed how much information I was learning and how this farm is growing in popular demand. After Robyn finished talking, she showed us around the farm where all the food grows and is produced. The food was starting to grow and ready for transfer into the bigger fields to finish growing. I had the chance to try an asparagus right from the soil and it was amazing. It was the freshest tender asparagus I ever tried; I never knew this vegetable could taste so good. If you want to find more information about Park Ridge Organics Farm click on the link http://www.localharvest.org/park-ridge-organics-M11061 and you will be amazed on the quality of food you can buy here.

Cheers,

Lee IV

MPTC Culinary Club goes to 2012 Chicago Food Show

G’day Mates! Recently, members of the culinary club and I headed down to Chicago for the 2012 National Restaurant Association at the McCormick Place. In order to participate in this trip we had to volunteer forty hours throughout the school year as part of our club dues. The National Res

taurant Food Show in Chicago is similar to Wisconsin’s Food Show, but is triple the size and I mean literally super massive. We stayed at Hotel 71 which is a prime location in downtown Chicago and minutes away from the food show. I was excited to stay at this hotel because this is the same spot where the film “The Dark Knight” was filmed. As we checked in I found out my room was on the top level on the 39^th floor, and the views were amazing.

After checking in we got on a shuttle bus to attend the Food Show at the McCormick Place. When we entered the building my eyes got huge because I realized how big the Food Show was. Numerous food companies were everywhere including food products, drinks, and even marketing firms. There were so many things to see that I didn’t know where to start. We decided to divide and conquer to see all the attractions and sample the various products. Throughout the show I talked to different people and networked to hopefully find a potential career in the near future. After awhile I got tired because of all the walking. We were there for seven hours and we still didn’t see everything. I recommend if you have the chance to attend the Chicago Food Show to attend at least two days so you don’t have to rush through things and can enjoy the time there.

When the food show came to an end we headed back to our hotel to change clothes for dinner. We attended a restaurant called Vermillion, which is located a block away from Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. Vermillion is a fusion type restaurant that specializes in India and Mexican cuisines. I was excited to check out the restaurant because I love both styles of cuisines, and combining these two was amazing. There were eleven of us and we basically tried everything on the menu. The food was amazing. For the entrée I decided to try a Red Fish mixed with vegetables. Although the waiter said this was the spiciest item on the menu, I didn’t believe him because I love spicy food. When my food came I dug right into my food and the waiter was not lying this dish was beyond spicy. It had great flavor but the spice behind the meat was so overwhelming I began to sweat. After that I could barely finish my meal, but I kept going because the flavor was delicious although the heat kept coming back hotter. As we finished our entree we ordered desserts and they were beyond amazing. The flavors were out of this world, and the decorations were fantastic! Once dessert was done we were full, but a healthy full since all the ingredients were freshly made. We decided to walk back since the weather was nice. We even saw a super nova moon, which is when the moon is closest to the Earth’s atmosphere than any other time of the year. I wish I had a better camera because this moon was beautiful, and I couldn’t get the quality picture I wanted. After a successful fun day it was time for bed. Until next time, ciao!

Cheers,

Lee IV

My South Korea Restaurant Day

Ahoy Mates! May 3 was the day I have been waiting for all semester. I had my restaurant day with a South Korean Menu. I was nervous because I wanted to make sure the food was tasty and the appearance of everything was pleasant. At the same time I was super excited to have my day because I was able to use my own creativity and show what I learned in class. Another reason I was excited was because my family from Chicago came up for lunch. Since I barely see them; for them to come up was an honor to show off Moraine Park. In the morning I set up decorations for my restaurant and set the task for the team to start to get ready for cook off time. When lunch time came I was ready to shake and bake! Me being the host/manager I was able to greet people and talk to the guests. Halfway through my family came; we hugged one another with joy. As they received their food, I checked around with people to see how their food was and people loved it. My family adored the lay out of my food, center pieces, and choice of ethnic region. After this I felt confident that I have the potential of owning a restaurant one day because I love making great food and speaking with people. After my restaurant class was finished I took my family to Blessed Bee Cupcakes on Main Street. They loved the little shop, and the choices they had. Shortly afterwards I showed my family my new house. They loved it especially since it is a upgrade from the previous house. Once the tour was complete my family headed back home to Chicago, and I finished unpacking my boxes. After a day like that I was finished and was completely wiped out. I’ll catch you on the next blog as I head down to sweet home Chicago. Cheers, Lee IV

A busy month of May ahead

Ahoy Mates! Welcome to a brand new month! As the end of the semester nears, my backpacking trip is getting even closer. I am looking forward to finishing the semester because it has been a busy semester, but with all that being said it has been a fun voyage thus far. Looking ahead for this month I have some major events coming up such as my ethnic restaurant day, the 2012 National Restaurant Association Food Show in Chicago, projects, and much more. It is my honor to share my journey with you and I am always open to comments and new ideas. So mates sit back and let’s welcome May! Cheers, Lee IV

Alumni Soccer Game at Marian University

G’day Mates! On April 28, I had the opportunity to play in the alumni soccer game for Marian University. It has been two years, already since playing college soccer and I miss it a lot. Each year I have a wonderful time catching up with former teammates, friends, and the new soccer players. That is one thing I loved about playing soccer at Marian because we are like family and lifetime friends. Of course being alumni we want to make sure we win because allowing a younger group to win is not an option; plus we must show them who is better. The game kicked off at 6:00 p.m. after the women alumni soccer game finished. It was a bit chilly, but once the game started running around made the weather feel a lot warmer. We took the early lead, and then the younger team tied us into half time. The second half we dominated the game with passes, defense, and challenged the goal keeper. As a result we won with the score being 3-1; overall it was a fun game. We all laughed having a good time while getting into shape. Afterwards we headed downtown to a local bar called Fat Joes where we had the reception. We enjoyed the night with free beer, food, and priceless memories remembering the past and present. I had a blast catching up with everyone; I wish we can have more events like this. I plan on staying in shape so I could play in future alumni games to improve my skill level. After a fun day my journey ends for now, but there are more to come, stay tuned! Cheers, Lee IV

Moraine Park Foundation Gourmet Dinner

G’day mates! April 27 marked another super busy day for me. Things began with me attending my sauce class; we made barbecue sauces, a coulis sauce, and a relish sauce. All of these sauces pair great with various types of meats and appetizers. After my class I went to help my friend Rachel move to her new apartment. It didn’t take us long to get things packed and moved. It only took two trips across town to finish moving. Afterwards I quickly went back to school to help out with the Moraine Park Foundation Gourmet Dinner. The Gourmet Dinner is an annual event benefitting the Moraine Park Foundation, which helps support student scholarships. This year’s theme was the Titanic because it marked the 100 year anniversary since the ship sank. Everything on the menu represented the meals served on the first and last voyage. My job for the night was to help out being the drink server, and made sure the drinks were stocked. I had the opportunity to meet staff members who volunteered their time to help out. I also learned the types of wines we were serving to pair with each entrée. I had a great time talking to people, serving drinks, and making this night a fun event. Students and instructors behind the scenes did a tremendous job prepping, cooking, and plating the foods. After the dinner we had to start to clean, but we all did a fast smooth job to accomplish our task. We finished around midnight, and at this point we were all tired and ready to go home. I know for me I was wiped out, and had to get ready for bed because I had to work the next morning. To check out the video I was in for the Gourmet Dinner, click on the Link to see the fun. http://www.morainepark.edu/about-mptc/foundation/2012-gourmet-dinner/ On my next blog I’ll be sailing into the month of May, stayed tuned! Cheers, Lee IV

Tour of Moraine Park’s West Bend Campus

Ahoy mates! I had the opportunity to tour Moraine Park’s West Bend campus. Being the student ambassador I felt it is important for me to check out the other campuses. I drove down to West Bend with my advisor Scott Lieburn. It was a beautiful day and the scenic route was beautiful; it amazes me how the country side looks on a sunny day. As we approached Moraine Park I was excited to see the inside since I’ve never been there before. We didn’t realize until the day before it was West Bend’s Last Blast event. So this gave me a sneak preview of what to expect for the Fond du Lac campus Last Blast event. If you are wondering what is Last Blast, it is an event sponsored by student life and student senate that gives students the opportunities to win great prizes and free food before the school ends. It is a fun time. My advisor, Scott, showed me around the campus. I was impressed with the size of the campus; and the area surrounding it is beautiful. I was able to meet a lot of faculty and staff members, and some students. Around lunch time the Last Blast event kicked off with a theme of beach fun. I had the opportunity to introduce comedian John Cassidy who holds 5 Guinness World Records for the fastest balloon sculpture. This guy was very talented. I was astonished by the things he was able to make with balloons. I even had the opportunity to come on stage to do an act with him. I had a great time being on stage, and John is a clever and funny person. He had everyone laughing the whole time. He finished with a bang. Overall I was happy that I had the chance to tour the West Bend campus, and participate in a fun event. That is all for now, but I am looking forward for another day! Cheers, Lee IV

Student Ambassador Event in Madison

G’day Mates! Recently I sailed down to Madison for the Wisconsin Technical College’s State Student Ambassador Event at the Sheraton Hotel. This event gave the student ambassadors for the 2012-2013 school year the opportunity to meet each other. I was excited to meet people and learn more about their college. The day started off with breakfast and ice breakers to learn each other’s names, and something unique about one another. After the ice breakers we began our teamwork and leadership skills exercise. This was interesting because it taught us how to become a better leader, and the steps we should take when our schedules get hectic. As we finished with this exercise it was time to discuss what our individual colleges do in our communities, and the impact our technical colleges have on education. Shortly after it was time for lunch, and we were served delicious sandwiches and desserts. After lunch we started to rehearsal for our award ceremony. It was a great feeling to be ready for a special night. We were all anxious to kick off the ceremony. During this time we went over the importance and the role of a student ambassador. As the evening approached we got ready for the award dinner. We took numerous pictures before dinner. At the dinner the food was amazing! There were so many amazing buffet style foods, and the desserts were unbelievable. As people finished their meals the program started. The president of the Wisconsin Technical College System and Jonathan Baird gave their speeches as they welcomed the student ambassadors. Afterwards each student ambassador came up to the stage to give a two minute speech about their story of how they picked a technical college. I was amazed by the stories I heard and it really touched my heart of how important technical college are. We all received an award plaque and generous donation from Baird Corporation. It is an honor to be a student ambassador of Moraine Park. I am looking forward to meeting new students, being even more involved with college functions and the impact of technical colleges. This was a tremendous event, and I would like to thank everyone for their support! As the night came to an end it was time for us to have free time. Therefore, I met up with some friends to check out the nightlife in Madison, and I must say it is a wonderful place. With so many things to see and do I recommend checking out Madison either in the day or night. I guarantee you will have a great time! Cheers, Lee IV

– Brewers vs. Dodgers

G’day Mates, like I promised previously, here is round two of the voyage on April 17. After having an early morning helping with the segment for Fox 11, I had to work at Qdoba. The shift went well as the normal lunch rush came in and made the time fly by. I was eager to be done because later that day I headed down to Milwaukee for the Brewers game. After work I met up with some friends to carpool down to the game. We were celebrating our friends Danni’s birthday. She wanted to eat at the Safe House restaurant in Milwaukee before the game started. The Safe House is a unique restaurant that specializes in a spy theme. I recommend this place because of the cool features that are located throughout the restaurant. You can check out the website at http://www.safe-house.com Afterwards we headed off to the Brewers game. We made it in enough time to tailgate, although it was a bit windy we still had a good time talking and getting pumped for the game. The Brewers were playing the Los Angeles Dodgers. Since this was my first Brewers game for 2012 I was hoping they would pull off a win. We sat on the 400 level in which I didn’t mind because I was able to see the whole stadium from the top; I think it is the best seat. Throughout the game we got drinks and food as we cheered on the Brew crew. The whole game was very close; I wasn’t sure if the Brewers had it to take home the win. It wasn’t until the bottom of the 9th when things changed and there was hope. The Brewers fought hard to get the go ahead run to win the game. The people who left early missed a tremendous ending. I was glad to witness a great game against the Dodgers. Well mates, after a long fun day it is time to dock the ship. I’ll catch you on the next voyage as I sail down to Madison for the Student Ambassador banquet, it should be a great time! Cheers, Lee IV

Good Day Wisconsin live at Moraine Park

Ahoy Mates! April 17 was one of my longest days of the year thus far, but it was definitely worth it! I woke at 4:30 a.m. to be at Moraine Park by 5:00 a.m. because Fox 11’s Good Day Wisconsin reporter Emily Deem came to Moraine Park’s Fond du Lac campus to highlight Multicultural Day. This was an honor for the news crew to come to learn about the big event on campus. Multicultural Day is an annual event on campus that celebrates different cultures through food, music, and entertainment. The Multicultural Club and the Culinary Club are in partnership to run this fun event. I was able to be in the first segment with William Green who is the advisor for the Multicultural Club. We discussed what the event was about and what was going to be on the menu. It was really unique to see, behind the scenes, how live broadcasting works. Throughout the morning, different segments from Emily Deem covered various information on ethnic clothing from the Philippians, a berry tiramisu dessert, and different information from various cultures that were going to be shown in the event. To take a look at the video click on the link to see all of the fun things from the morning broadcast show at http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/good_day_wi/take-a-cultural-journey-in-fond-du-lac . I hope you enjoy the clips! On my next blog I’ll tell you about round two of the voyage on April 17. Cheers, Lee IV