Should I or shouldn't I?

[Lobodeb]

I don't know if I've told you all this, but I really want to become a pastry chef. I've looked into lots of schools, but they are mostly day programs. Since I cannot afford to quit my job, a daytime school isn't an option for me because I'm 99.99% sure I couldn't find a night time job that pays what my current job does.

So, I found a class at Wilton. It's called the Master's Course. It's 10 days of in-your-face, quick and dirty culinary classes.

Here's their description of the class:

Class Description:
Professional course for teachers, bakers, caterers, chefs, enthusiasts or beginners. Designed to prepare students for a career in cake decorating, this course teaches basic techniques to design and decorate party cakes and ultimately, a fully decorated 3-tiered display wedding cake. Students perform all decorating under close supervision and learn to make 15 flowers and 20 different borders. Class materials are furnished, including Decorating Cakes book, tips, nails and decorating bags.

Master Course students will also have the opportunity to sign up for valuable supplemental classes, which are offered during the 2-week Master Course session. Individual courses on Gum Paste, Rolled Fondant, Creative Confections and Sugar Artistry enhance the skills learned in the Master Course and introduce students to alternate decorating mediums that can express their talents. Students will receive a Wilton Certificate on completion of each class and will keep all projects.

I know I want to take the course. That's not the issue. They only had one course that's only on the weekends. I can't do that one because a) it's full and b) it would interfere with Hugito's birthday party. So my only option would be to take the 10 day straight class. That would mean I would have to burn up almost all of my vacation time for the year!

Do I really want to do that?

I'm going to talk with my boss to see what my options are.

Can you help me see reason?
Edit to add:

I just called the school and they won't be offering another weekend course until next year.

[Marigold2]

The course sounds pretty good. If you are truly interested in this line of work you have to make sacrifices both in money, time and effort. Nothing comes easy. How about having your son's birthday on a different day? Since he is such a little guy he won't know the difference. You have to be willing to put your career ahead of everything but your child at this point. Good luck to you.

[kuhio98]

Do it! I hope your boss is supportive. Show Hugito that it is important to follow your dreams.

I received the following in an e-mail at just about the same time you posted. Coincidence? I seriously doubt it!

The first day of school our professor introduced ourselves and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being.

She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?"

I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze.

"Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked.
She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids..."

"No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.

"I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake. We became instant friends. Everyday for the next three months we would leave class together and talk non-stop. I was always mesmerized listening to this "time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.

Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know."

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, "We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!

There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight. Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets."

She concluded her speech by courageously singing "The Rose." She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives.

At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep. Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.

[jackmilliesmom]

Ok so you want to be a pstry chef fine but think this through thoroughly before you decide and weigh up the pros and cons. It sounds silly but do a list of both. by the way what is your job now and what kind of boss do you have. Mine would show me the door if I asked for 10 days to do something completely different than what I do at work the only other option is to come in an hour early and work an hour late to maybe make up the time but you have a child who is probably in day care to consider so just think long and hard I know you really want this and it is your dream but does the end justify the means and needs must now and not later - JUST THINK IT THROUGH

[catnapper]

Oh Debbie, take that class! Not only will you learn a useful trade, but you'll have so much fun! I want to take that class myself now (and I can't cook for anything)!

[wolflady]

I agree. I think you should go for it! Life is short, so do what you dream. There are things like this that I have always want to pursued, and I think I'm going to start looking into it more.

Let us know when you start!

**hugs**

[emily_the_spoiled]

I did something like that last year (I took a week off from work to take a weaving class). It was the best holiday I could have given myself

I was interested in learning to weave and this gave me the opportunity to find out whether I would enjoy it (before spending all the money on equipment). But I also met some really great people and had a great time.

Take the class, it is only 10 days of your life but you may regret it later if you don't.

[cassiesmom]

My brother-in-law has always encouraged me by saying, "Do what you love; the money will follow." You'll never know how it would have turned out if you didn't at least try.

[kimlovescats]

I just saw your update that the class won't be offered again for a while. Look at this as your answer! Everything happens in its proper time and place. This gives you time to PLAN ahead and work out all of the details that will make your decision and schedule easier! You WILL do it, it just has to be at the proper time!

[Cataholic]

Debbie,
If it meant taking up nearly all of your vacation time, sorry, but, I wouldn't do it. With a little one in the house, that is not practical.

I am all for following ones dreams, but, do not believe that the money will follow. I am not suggesting that life goals should ONLY be about money, but, what IF your boss okays the ten day absence, but, somehow thinks this means you will leave your current employer, and you are passed over, or let go down the line. You prolly aren't going to take those new found skills into the job market anywhere close to where you are now.

Is there a demand for pastry chef? Have you done any of this in the past? Do you think you would even like it? I mean, it isn't the same as taking a ten week course, two hours a night, for $150.00, where you can just quit it...no real investment. Here, it is a ten day course, prolly more expensive than $150.00, and ten days of lost time from work/or, use up all your vacation.

I don't know....I think there needs to be some more thinking on this one.

Johanna

[joycenalex]

i'm gonna say go for it. i have done many strange, wonderful and wild things over my life, but the only things i regret is the times i was too timid to try something new. 10 days is a lot of time, maybe you can take 7 paid days and 3 unpaid to keep a small bank for baby stuff?

[moosmom]

My niece went to Drexel in Philadelphia. She recently graduated and is going into the pastry business. Her fiance has set up a website with pictures of her product and is doing quite well.

Johnson and Wales is another great culinary institute. Good luck finding your dream!!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Do it - the options are limited simply so you have no choice!!! Go for it

[Lobodeb]

How about having your son's birthday on a different day? Since he is such a little guy he won't know the difference.

I would, but a) we're having it at a hall and have already paid the deposit, b) his birthday was Jan. 2nd and the party isn't until Jan. 27th, so I really don't want to put it off until March, when this course ends and c) the course is full. But thanks anyway!

Lisa (kuhio98) thanks for posting that. Very inspiriational.

by the way what is your job now and what kind of boss do you have.

I'm a project coordinator for a national litigation consulting company. I'm a glorified meeting planner. My boss is actually very supportive of me doing this. As a matter of fact, she's encouraged me to check out various schools and told me what kinds of questions to ask. She's even written letters of recommendation for me for some of the schools I've applied to. She LOVES my baking.

...only other option is to come in an hour early and work an hour late to maybe make up the time

I'm on salary so that wouldn't make a difference.

Kim (catnapper) I wish you were here, we could take the class together! It would be so much fun!

Johanna (cataholic), the class is $800. My theory is that I would try this in an attempt to get a feel of what culinary school would be like. There are several hotels, restuarants and casinos here that pay pastry chefs more than what I make now. I'd rather spend this $800 for this course, than $5,000 for culinary school.

I also neglected to mention that I will still have 5 sick days if I burn all of my vaction time.

maybe you can take 7 paid days and 3 unpaid to keep a small bank for baby stuff?

Hmm, that's a possiblity!

Thanks for your suggestions, everyone. I still haven't made my decision yet. Maybe everyone can pray that they do another weekend class before next year!

[Lobodeb]

I just thought I would let you all know what I decided.

I decided to wait on the 2 week course for many reasons.

1) price
2) vacation time
3) I'm going to be starting a new job soon and I know I won't have that kind of time off with pay

But, what I did decide to do was take another cake decorating course offered by the same company. It's a 4 session course, once a week after work hours for much, much cheaper.

I'm going to register tonight.

Thanks to all who gave their opinion and helped me decide.