Pre-test

Remember in school when you used to take pre-tests before starting a new subject? They were never graded, it was merely to see how much you knew. Then a similar test was given later to see if you learned anything. Well, this weekend I'm giving myself a pre-test of sorts. It's not exactly French pastry, but it's fun.

For our contribution to his family Easter, Nate and I are bringing a brood of these cute guys.


However there's been some debate. In the spirit of giving, and also the fact that I can't make up my mind, I'd also like to make a flock of these.


I mean seriously. How adorable. So we'll see. A few sheep may sneak their way into the mix. Nate is intimidated by the sheep heads for some reason. I don't see a problem. Whatever we do, we'll be tackling them on Saturday. Hopefully most of them will survive for Easter.

When in France...

I measured myself for my new pastry jackets (Nate helped). I had to email the measurements to the school and tell them what name I want embroidered. Good question. After consulting with a couple friends, I decided to go with Jacqueline. I may as well take advantage of my already French name. It'll feel like I'm back in my high school French class again. That's what I went by. And that was lucky as there were two Jackie's. I mean, Jacqueline is my official given name, but no one has ever used it. When I first graduated from Ad school, I put it on my business cards in an effort to sound more professional. Or start a new identity of some sort. But it never worked. People naturally shorten it. Or they'd ask me point blank if I go by anything else. I gave up quickly. I've always been much too agreeable. My parents don't call me Jacqueline either. Not even when I was in trouble. They do, however, sometimes call me Jacquelino. But that's not the same. In Australia I pretty much went by Jack or Jacks. The Aussies crop every word they can. I guess Nate calls me Jacqueline occasionally. He's the only one.


But France will be a different story entirely. Jacqueline will roll off their French tongues with a beautiful melodic ring. And I'll have it sewn onto my pastry jacket so they can't forget. And no one will know me as anything else. In fact, they won't know that Jackie even exists. Mon Dieu!

Pastry Couture

I just ordered my new school clothes. Monday through Friday I'll be sporting some of the best looking shoes and pants you've ever seen. At least I'll be comfortable. Elastic waste bands are probably appropriate, yet very dangerous. If you're interested in a pair of black and white pin strip chef pants, it just so happens that they're currently on sale at ChefUniforms.com.

Parlez vous anglais?

So it's time to blog again. I can't promise I'll be better this time, so I won't. I hate to disappoint anyone, mostly myself. So I'll just leave it that I'll do my best to be a better, more consistent blogger. Okay? Although, I don't think it'll be an issue as I am very excited to share my new journey with whomever would like to listen.

I've had my fix of third world countries for a while, and my time in Australia has come to a close. It's time for something completely new. I've packed up my life in Bondi (it's amazing how much one can acquire in just two years), dropped some of it in LA with my sister, and brought only the essentials with me to Boston, where I'm shacked up with the boyfriend for a month or so. Then in just a few weeks I'm off to France where I'll be throwing myself into a new country, a new language, and a new industry. I'll either sink or swim as I explore and learn the art of French pastry.

As of April 9th, I'll be living in Yssingeaux France and studying the art of French pastry at L'Ecole Nationale Supérieure de la Pâtisserie. No, I'm not leaving advertising forever. I'm simply taking a break. I'm taking the opportunity to explore something new. I'm learning a new skill. I'm exploring a different way of life. I'm taking a hobby to the next level. I'm challenging myself. People keep asking me why I'm doing this and there are several reasons. But the most obvious reason is, why the hell not?

So follow along if you like. I'll be rambling on as try out a new identity. Jacqueline Lee, Étudiant de la Pâtisserie. (Don't worry, I'll be taking French classes too.)