Allow me to introduce myself...

Hello all in the blog-o-sphere!

I want to start out by introducing myself. My name is Erika and I'm a 22 year old student from Boston. I graduated this past May from Saint Michael's College with a degree in Psychology and will be attending the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology this September for a Masters degree in School Psychology. I am very excited about this endeavor and all of the opportunities I'll have a chance to take part in. Along with attending school, I'll be taking part in a practicum placement to work with a school psychologist and special educator. Until I begin my time at MSPP, I'll be spending another GREAT summer at YouthCare in Charlestown, MA. Here I work with young children who have high functioning autism. I absolutely love my job here and will be sad when I can no longer spend my summers with all my campers. However, I must remember I'll be spending my summers training to work with kids like them for the rest of my life :) !

Outside of my life as a student, I am a daughter and sister, a girlfriend, a reader, a snowboarder, and an aspiring cook. I have been a daughter for 22 years, a sister for 18, a devouted girlfriend for 4 1/2, a reader since I can remember, a snowboarder for 9, and an aspiring cook for the past year. Since I was in high school I have been obsessed with the Food Network. I love watching cooking shows on television, as well as cooking competitions like Top Chef. In my final year at Saint Mike's I resided in a townhouse apartment on campus with a limited meal plan. A few times I got to eat food that wasn't my own (thanks Dave!). However, over the course of the year I learned how to fend for myself pretty well. I even got a few "Mmm this smells good" statements from my vegetarian roommate in reference to a meat dish she'd never eat. Needless to say, I enjoy watching cooking on television, so why not go ahead and get my hands dirty? While I tend to be a picky eater, I am excited to branch my taste buds a bit further (or modify a recipe for a picky eater like me).

This blog will highlight my struggles as a student, cook, and reality-television obsessed young woman. Follow me on my journey through life, food, and finding the thyme to do it all.

Parid & I in Disney in May 2010

Mom, Carl, Me, and Dad in Graduation Garb

Saint Mike's Club