AKA Why I wasn’t at the BLEND retreat this year.
It’s been 5 years since I graduated from nursing school. And 30 years since my dad graduated from medical school.
And since we both went to school in Philadelphia…
It meant a reunion trip was in order.
I rarely mention my Philly days on the blog (not for any particular reason). But I enjoyed my time there and thus welcomed the trip back. Plus it’s always fun to see my parents.
When I look back on it, the city of brotherly love is where I really hit my culinary stride and found my inner foodie. Not just in terms of dining out (although I did make a point to frequent as many Stephen Starr restaurants as possible), but also preparing food that wasn’t from the freezer or cupboard. At UCLA, I was spoiled by my proximity to healthy (ready-made) eats. Between the dorm fare, the sorority scene, and the campus cafes, I didn’t do much cooking. The only thing I kept regularly stocked on my own was apples, instant oats and canned peas (it’s frightening how obsessed I was with canned peas). When I moved to the East Coast, 100% of my life was focused on nursing school so I really didn’t expect to suddenly become inspired to teach myself to cook in my 0% spare time. Which is why it was odd when I began to do just that. Maybe it was because fresh (pre-prepared) food wasn’t as abundant as it was in California…or maybe it was just a passion that had been building and finally reached the point of realization…but for whatever reason, I decided to make all my own meals.
To be fair, I wasn’t starting from scratch. My mom cooked all our food growing up and she taught me a ton, so I had the basics under control. I could make banana bread and any kind of pasta with my eyes closed. And I knew flavor combinations that worked. But roasting vegetables and marinating things ahead of time and shopping for the week in advance…that was all foreign territory.
Looking back, I’m pretty sure this is where food (and nutrition) became a hobby – a mental break from the books that still stimulated me in some way. So even though I was completely consumed by school work and clinicals, I still found the time to pack my lunches and cook myself real meals (and enjoy it!).
The Reading Terminal Market is where I first began to dabble outside my comfort zone. Since I was broke, I’d buy the discount bags of produce (on their death bed) and then attempt to make them tasty. It was like a CSA, forcing me to try new things I’d never buy otherwise. No cookbooks, no blogs. Just me and my imagination in the kitchen.
I guess I can credit Philadelphia for nurturing my career as well as my side-gig.
Get ready for some yummy restaurant reviews. 🙂
I should have tagged along with you! what a fun time with parents and reminiscing!
Ahhh I’ve always wanted to go to Philadelphia! It’s definitely on my cities to visit list!
I’m from the Philly area and Reading Terminal Market is one of my all time favorite places!!!
Awesome! I just moved to Philly about 2 months ago and am always looking for great new joints to visit. Can’t wait to for the reviews!
I didn’t know you’re a Drexel grad too! Crazy that we were there at the same time, but I rarely had classes at the Hospital.
I work for Drexel and I follow your blog! It was so weird to see the picture of you standing in front of Mario! I was like “hey! I know where she is!”
Hope you had a great visit (looks like you were at BlackBird…YUM!)
So awesome! I’m a recent Drexel grad who still lives in the city. Can’t get enough of it! I also live near Reading Terminal…so dangerous!!
Looks like a blast! I’ve always wanted to go to Philadelphia, plus many other places in the states actually. It must be nice to go back to your old stomping grounds
cool I didn’t know you went to school in philly (and your dad, too!) I was in med school there! Can’t wait for your restaurant reviews…
How cool! Our nursing school story sound pretty similar! I fell in love with cooking as a hobby to just relax and be able to nourish my body. I feel like as a nurse I need to practice what I preach most of the time! 🙂
That ginormous piece of pizza can only be from one place..Blackbird! Excited to see where else you went!
I went to Penn Nursing right next door just around the same time as you (Class of 2008). I’m looking forward to these reviews to see if we liked the same places.