Barely lived a life, at 24, this girl had struggles. Battling cancer from the age of 21, I was told she was getting better. She was even accepted to UCLA, but sadly never got to go. During one of the eulogy, a friend of hers mentioned that she joined the wrestling team. It brought a small smile to my face that I tried to hide, because I remember that very well.

I can’t remember how long I’ve known her, but as my sister’s friend, she was like part of our family. Now she’s gone, no longer suffering. You’ll always be in our hearts, Ellen. <3

The new section brings the Advanced Cakes, Cookies, and Advanced Plating section. It’ll be interesting because the final is the dreaded wedding cake. Will Adam be successfull in the execution of the wedding cake? I hope so.

Below is a Black Currant Cake made with… black currant. It has a nice short dough cookie bottom and mirror glaze on top. It’s tasty!

Next is the Frangelico Mousse Cake, I don’t know what it is, but it’s pretty. I think frangelico is some sort of liqueur, but I’ve never had it. You might notice the chocolate dome in the center, it’s the start of the odd looking cakes. I just can’t wait until we do the puzzle cake.

Next is the Strawberry Bagatelle, the third cake of the gelatin set cakes. This one is an yellow almond sponge on bottom then a vanilla bean lemon verbena bavarian cream filling (sans the lemon verbena) and of course strawberries inside! All is topped with a green marzipan and I added a marzipan rope heart and yes, those are MY marzipan roses. I’m getting quite good with roses. I can’t wait to get into some sugar pulling extra class!

Who else thinks America is devoid of any type of originality, creativity or whatever. Why must Hollywood REMAKE Asian films. They say imitation is the best flattery, why not just get the rights and import the film?! I rant because my mom showed me The Lake House, and it’s a direct redo of one of my favorite Korean movies ”Il Mare.”

I wonder how Hollywood will mess this one up. OH, they already have! Keanu? Anyone see the ”Matrix”? ”Whoa!” What about ”Bill and Ted…” ”Whoa” I can even remember a commercial for a cable airing of the ”Matrix” where they cut pieces of where he was talking to the Oracle and it made him sound completely… brain deficient. The guy just can’t act…

I’m sorry, but I feel this is an insult to the original ”Il Mare.” Why must America pick up Asian (any of them) movies and redo them. Get the rights to the original subtitle (yes, subtitle. I hate listening to the crappy English voice acting) it and send it to the theaters. Don’t change/add anything. If America doesn’t like it, oh well, you didn’t pay multiple millions of dollars for high priced Hollywood stars and you just reaffirm that America is stupid when it comes to GOOD movies. Hollywood with the ”blow it up it’ll sell” attitude, it’s no surprise.

My opinion, go pick up Il Mare. If nothing else, during the movie you won’t think of a speeding bus or ”Whoa”. Stop making American versions of GREAT Asian films and get some creativity.

…END RANT…

Holy shit! I’ve been sending everyone this video of Dat Phan, a pretty funny Vietnamese comedian who was first found in ”Last Comic Standing.” And I just saw him in the movie ”Cellular.” I’m thinking holy crap, WTF.

Here’s a Black Forest Cake, sans the traditional cherries… I was a little bored so I kept adding decorations. I didn’t want to make it too busy on top. mmm

Here’s a great well known cake. It’s a carrot cake, as the title implies, it contains carrots. The usual cream cheese filling, it’s topped with a thin layer of butter cream and marzipan then a marzipan carrot is placed on top. Ain’t it cute?

Yes, more cakes. Where to start?…

Below is some kinda dobos layer cake, with layers of dobos, chocolate butter cream, and a caramel top.

Below is the Sweedish Chocolate Cake. I was absent for this cake so there isn’t much I can tell you about this cake. But it’s damn good. I will be making this for one of my final projects.

This one is a Lemon Honey Cake with raspberries and Italian meringue. Lots of people like this one because it’s hard to mess up so it’s really moist and stays moist.

This is the Swiss Kirsch Cake, which has kirschwasserin it. It’s like a cherry liqueur, brandy to be specific. Take a Japonaise meringue, add a chiffon sponge, add a crap load of red colored kirshwasser flavored buttercream and you get the Swiss Kirsch Cake. This is topped with a short dough cookie with marzipan cherries and piped chocolate stems.

A funny little story about the Boston cream pie. It’s not a pie, but a cake.

So, I don’t even know why it exists (well I do, but it’s kinda dumb), but May fourth is Star Wars Day. Because someone coined, ”May the Fourth be with you.” it was close to ”May the Force be with you.” But, WHY? I mean it’d be cool if it was the release date for ANY of the Star Wars series. But everyone knows the Original Star Wars was released May 25th. Whatever, happy Star Wars Day.

So, standing in the shade for about a half an hour, Giada gave a quick Q&A. Quickly after my brother and I rushed over to the end of the LOOOOOOONG line for her book signing. We stood in the hot sun for about 3 hours. But, it was great to finally see her face to face. I was really bummed that they didn’t allow pictures to be taken this time. =( I’ll go see her next time… Wait, I’m tempted to do to San Francisco and see her again! jk… Darn I was really hoping to get a picture with her. Oh well, there’s always next time. YAY!