Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I tried the okra...I don't know if "firm" was the right word, but it wasn't slimy for me at all, it was pretty well held together and with a good flavor. I was quite satisfied with it, in fact. I noticed a lot of steam when I took it out of the microwave, leading me to suspect a lot of water is supposed to evaporate.

Come on @wunami, you know what I meant. The natural chemical make up of a fruit such as an orange, grown from the earth, is completely different than the manufactured "natural flavoring" in an "orange drink". Same goes for Diet Coke, yo!

I bought a jar of Swad something or other once, and it had the strangest flavor, not what I was looking for...or even close. I tossed it.

I agree with the other posters about Amy's and TraderJoes Indian food, it's decent. Esp those pouches of veg dishes.

First ...I really enjoy your blog!
A really, really, really long time ago as a new graduate, I landed a job that I loved. I waited for five years before I went to graduate school in a field that is different from, yet similar to, what I was doing. By doing that, many more doors were opened to me. I am so glad that I took the time away from being a student to mature. I made better decisions for myself.
By the way, until I finished grad school, I always worked a second job as a food server!

When I graduated from college in 1999, I got a job in another restaurant. I had worked in a bar through college and thought it was time to work somewhere where I served more dinners than drinks. I ended up working there for 7 years. I did find a job in my field, but I was unable to quit the restaurant. I could still use the money and I find that I miss it.

I'm curious if you mentioned your blog in your interview. If I were a prospective employer, I would not want an employee blogging about the details of my restaurant. I do career counseling and offer this - PLEASE, don't ever talk about it in an interview!

Grad school?

I mean...that's what lots of people do when the economy is down.

@AuntJone: If only! I wish I had thought of this first. ;)

Hey Hannah, I know it's not much consolation, but you're better off than print media (my field). At least your industry will never become irrelevant.

I'm graduating in May, and as far as my experience has gone getting into graduate school, you would be applying now for Spring 2010, as most schools set their deadlines for Fall 2009 in January at latest. hellojodi raises a fine point, and I would like to make another. Try to think ahead about what you want in 30-40 years. I honestly cannot say what life would be like with a MFA in poetry outside of writing stuff to sell or being a community college professor, but I noticed from family members and friends around him that a terminal job as a server or other member in a restaurant seems to take its toll. After a bit, it seems that all the standing up gets to you, not to mention the occasional burn or other random accident. And too many seem to have no concept of retirement. I'm not saying that you should go for the MFA, but it might be worth giving it, being a server, and a few other occupations a second thought. I hope everything goes well for you, and thank you for always updating us on the life of a server.

Yeah that polaroid thing is a little weird ... live where you will be happy, and be open to to different jobs and opportunites that are out there. I moved to a small mountain town 2,000+ miles away from home, school, and all my professional contacts. Being here makes me happy and even though it took a lot of effort, I ended up with a madly satisfying job that I never thought I would have ended up in in a million years.

@hellojodi - I agree. I am trying to put off grad school until a) not having a master's is significantly holding my career back or b) I get truly, hopelessly burned out - hopefully I will be at least 40 when either happens (I hate school ...).

Best of luck to you!

Good point, Mikeismora. In fact, Eric Ripert says he's inspired by McDonald's and Burger King.

I was thinking the same about the photos...then I thought, it was mandatory for physicians to present their applications with photographs when I took care of coordinating physicians, international and domestic, to be interviewed for staff positions in my section.

It's not really that different, but feels weird to have a quickie Polaroid.