Right before I went home for my mini- Maryland vacation, I made a big switch.

I decided to leave R+D Kitchen for a new and exciting opportunity over at Tar & Roses.

I want to go on record saying that I did not write that blog post about our amazing meal there to sweeten them up.  I like to write about things that excite me and my tastebuds.  T&R definitely did that.  And I may have left that dinner with the idea planted in my head that I wanted to be a part of that deliciousness.  But I swear, the rest just happened to almost perfectly fall in to place.

So after a relaxing and fun vacation, I came back to the tricky part of changing jobs.  Finishing up my two weeks at the old place and training at the new.

This is what my past week has looked like.

Don’t feel sorry for me, though.  Along with learning all about new Vermentinos, Verdejos and Viuras, I get to taste through the entire wine list.

Chiantis, Nebbiolos, Kerners, Cabernets, Syrahs and much more.

Of course, I am tasting them because tasting is very educational, and I am here to learn!

As I am up to my eyeballs in multi-colored flashcards and practice tests this morning, I came to the realization that I have one major flaw when it comes to studying.

I don’t drink coffee.

Or Tea.  Or Red Bull.  Or really any caffeine at all.  In fact, caffeine makes me kind of sick.  Like doubled over, got the shakes, sick to my stomach kind of sick.

So – obviously – I stay away from it as much as possible.  Maybe a few sips of Cherry Coke at the movies, but a Caffeinated Kels is not a happy Kels.

All you caffeinated students out there will always have one up on me.  I have to put myself to bed or take a quick cat-nap to revive myself.  You just get to pound an espresso and get back to the books.

This morning, up at 7:30 (an ungodly hour for me), I gave in and bought a whole box of my best energy weapon.

Sugar.

Doughnuts, you are good to me.

xoxo