Festival of Colors 2010

It is that time of year again where thousands and thousands of people flock to the Krishna temple in Spanish Fork to celebrate the Festival of Colors.

This is me and my friend Lyndall waiting for the fun to begin. People will often walk by you and say you are to clean to be there and throw a hand full of powder at you. This is what we looked like at the very beginning with very little color!!

The sad thing is that the count down was not even close. We still had an hour before it started and we were looking like we belonged in a circus!

I don't know what happened in this picture but it looks like lyndall is screaming at the colors creeping out of her bag.

This is a shot of the temple and the crowd that had started to gather as the countdown grew closer.

People just could not wait and started early.

For a big group of college students (BYU) they didn't follow directions very well and had a hard time counting down with the band on stage.

This is what it looked like as they counted down 3,2,1....... The colors started flying and people were pushing, at first it was beautiful but then.......................................

It started to grow darker..................................................................

and darker.......................................................

Until it almost looked like it was night time. It was cramped, hard to breath and very loud!!

Last year I was late and was only able to see the colors from the outside and wondered what it would be like to be in the middle of the crowd. I found that out this year and now that I have experienced it from both perspectives I am content and will probably not go back next year. I am to old for that kind of crowd!!

If you want to see a video of what it looked like I found this on YouTube. Someone other than myself was willing to sacrifice their camera.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKVemFU7FoI&feature=related

This is what we looked like when all was said and done!!! You turn almost BLACK because the colors just mix together!

Just one of many Changes

Most young chefs stay at a particular place for a maximum of 3 years. The more you move around the more you learn and grow. If you really make this profession your life can be very exciting. I have never been one to follow that rule. If I find a place I like I get comfortable and stay for as long as I can. I worked at my last catering company for 9 almost 10 years. I worked with the same executive chef who has been there for 11 almost 12 years. We worked so well together that he called me his second wife. Most of the time we fought like we were brother and sister but could also complete each others sentences. He and I had telepathetic skills!! We were an amazing team along with the other prep chefs in the kitchen. They were my second family!
Back in February, after being back in Seattle for the fourth time in four months, I was debating on whether to go back to Seattle or back to school. I just had a feeling like I needed to tweak something in my life. Honestly I was leaning toward Seattle, but he Lord had a different idea. I have been attending a singles ward since back in July and I knew that is where I needed to be. I was thinking it would be a great way to meet people to start dating and living my life again after my divorce. I believe that was true but it also put me in the path of a person that I needed to meet as well. His name is Hal Porter. Hal or Brother Porter is the high council Representative over our ward and just happens to own a catering company. When I found this out I approached him and introduced myself to him as a fellow caterer and thought that would be the end of things. In late January I was given a new calling that required me to go to ward council. In my first meeting I ended up sitting next to Brother Porter. He kept looking at me through the whole meeting and asked my what my last name was. I wondered what was up and when the meeting was over he asked me if I would have a minute to talk with him about non-church things. We met in the hall and he asked my if all chefs had a certain attitude. I said yes and that most of them have huge ego's and feel very entitled. Hal then told me that they were having a hard time finding a head chef that fit their business and then asked me if I would consider taking the position. I said that I would and I did. As soon as he asked me to talk to him I had a feeling like something was about to happen.
I went in a week later and talked with Hal and his wife who run the business together, took a tour of their kitchen and met a few of the employees. I expressed interest and they said they would have an offer for me at the beginning of the week. When the phone call came I was excited but knew what had to happen next. Three words that most employers don't like to hear- two week notice! My bosses face went from shock, to fear, then to panic. It was a very emotional two weeks and my last day was the hardest. I knew I was making the right decision but hated leaving at the same time.
I have now been at my new place for two weeks and am really loving it. The Lord has blessed me with so many wonderful things and get this, all I had to do was ASK!