Zebra Purse Cake

I love each and every cake I make.  I work my hardest at making each cake a true creation, a unique piece of "edible art" (if you will).  I hope that comes across in the cakes themselves.  Sometimes I have to get really creative with an idea that someone will send me.  Sometimes, though, I don't have to get too creative on the ideas and I just get to be creative in making the cake.  Either way, I get to play with food and have fun.  Geez, I love my job! 

I love it when I get the neatest cake ideas sent to me and I can just play and create.  Seriously, how cool was this cake idea? 

A pink zebra-striped purse cake!!! 

Edible silver and hand-painted zebra stripes details

I hear the birthday girl and all her friends went for mani/pedis and then partied and ate this cake.  What a fun birthday idea (hint, hint, any of you who know me....).

Happy Birthday Sophia!  You're the coolest for ordering this fun cake.  It was such a neat idea!

And, now, since I have a blog, I want to blog.  I want to ramble and just share my thoughts.  You don't have to read this.  You can just look at the pictures above and move on (also, how awesome is my new camera???).  I just want to talk about doing what you love.  Yep, a post about life... 

For any of you wondering, I did not get my education in "caking."  I went to college and pursued history and archaeology.  Wha?  Archaeology?  Yep, I spent most of my 20's (and some of my teens) covered head to toe in dirt.  I found dirt in places I didn't know dirt could be.  I traveled this beautiful country and saw some amazing places (and some not-so-amazing).  The last company I worked for (which shall remain un-named so don't even try to email me and ask) had me and my coworkers going to big and small towns all over the map.  I met some of the nicest people (and also came a little too close to being shot on private property).  I really had an amazing time.  One day, though, that started to change. 

I traveled alone (every.single.time.).  I ate fast food one too many times.  I sat alone in airports missing my husband.  I got on a plane covered in dirt because I didn't want to miss my flight.  I also walked into a Target covered in dirt and swamp sludge and walked out in a brand new outfit simply because I didn't want to repeat the plane incident (changing in a dressing room and having a store associate walk you to the register to pay while you carry your dirty, nasty clothes while wearing new clothes... not so fun).  I almost got attacked by wild boars (true story).  I missed my flight when the one thing I wanted to do was get home a wee bit early.  I walked around "urban" areas feeling a little out of place and a just a little too unsafe.  I racked up one too many reward points for hotel stays, airlines, and rental cars.  I busted my butt for my clients.  I got chewed out by my boss.  I worked way more than full time. 

I missed my life.  I became someone I didn't know... bitter and angry.  Why?  Because I believed my boss when he said that "it's called a job for a reason."  I worked my hardest and gave it my all and yet I never seemed to please my clients or supervisors enough and, that?  That was when I knew I had had enough and things needed to change.   

If you EVER work a job where your superior tells you that "it's called a job for a reason" or "it's not supposed to be fun, it's work," RUN!  Maybe you don't need to switch careers like I did.  Maybe you just need to find a new employer (I know, easier said than done in this economy).  I've had amazing bosses who appreciate their employees (here's talking about you, A!); it is possible.  Please, please, please though, realize one thing for me.  You get one life.  Don't spend it working too many hours to enjoy it.  Love, G.

I will get down off my soapbox now.  ;)

**UPDATE** I re-read the above post and thought I should add this---
Don't get me wrong, I don't regret pursuing my dream of being an archaeologist for one single second.  It just turns out that my dreams changed somewhere along the way and I'm so incredibly thankful for each and every one of you for helping me pursue those dreams now.  Do what you love, no matter how many times you need to change careers.  ;)