Hungry.

"All real Americans love the sting of battle." --George S. Patton

OMG.

Midwinter Break officially sucks.
After my victory at regionals, I thought that I was exhausted, and was so glad that I wasn't going to have to go to school for an entire week, but I was quickly disillusioned.

Monday. I really didn't do much of anything. I hibernated until the ungodly hour of 9, went to school with Michelle, came home, and proceeded to squander the rest of my day on completely pointless pursuits.

Tuesday looked the same in a lot of ways. Except for one thing that shook me out of my mold a little. Now, anyone who knows me well, knows that I love Love LOVE watching any sort of cooking show. Ever since I was little. Every Tuesday, there is a show called Chopped on the Food Network. There are four chefs that square off over a three course meal (Appetizer, Entree, and Dessert) , with one chef eliminated after each course. The winner walks away with $10,000, and the title of Chopped Champion.

So, I turn on the T.V. and get into my favorite chair, and start watching. It's customary for me to pick my favorite of the four chefs, and either predict, or hope that he/she will win. This week it was Madison.

Madison Cowan is a South London native who is now living, and has a restaurant in New York. He's an incredible chef, and has an emotional and almost spiritual connection with all of his food. Seriously, look him up on hulu or something, and watch him cook. Like Now.

But there was something about him that immediately recognized, and decided that I wanted, and I would do anything to get. He had an insatiable hunger (figurative) to be the best. He was completely focused, and was in it with his entire heart. And his dishes were completely flawless. I mean FLAWLESS, people.

During the competition, he and his opponent were very well matched, and because of that, he was absolutely pushed and driven to do better, and ultimately be the best.

This is what I want.
I want to be pushed to my limit. And then pushed harder.
I want to pour my soul into my work.

But most of all, I want to be the best.
The very best.