In the mind of a sushi chef

It's already been a week since I started this blog and here I am trying to figure out what to write. This blogging stuff is pretty weird for me because I'm not used to sharing my thoughts over the internet for the whole world to see. Some random person across the world could be reading the mindless ramblings from my head. I feel bad for them.

I recently started working at my school's dining common as a sushi chef and it's been pretty interesting so far and I learned a good amount from it. Here are some reasons why:

1. As an employee at the dining common, I have the opportunity to go into the kitchen where they make all the food for the students to eat. Let me tell you this, it's a whole new world back there! I would have never realized it if I didn't work there. It's actually pretty cool to be back in the kitchen. So for all you UMASS-ers, sucks for you! You will never experience the awesome-ness of being in the kitchen. Unless you work at the dining commons.

2. I'm pretty proud of myself at the fact that I can make sushi now. Laugh all you want but remember when there's a sushi making contest, I'd pwn since I have experience. Except when I'm facing against actual sushi chefs like the ones at Minado.

3. I have to wear a black bandana for work and whenever I put it on, I imagine myself getting ready to go into a samurai battle.

4. It's really interesting that students wait in a long line for the sushi that I make. Honestly, I can't make sushi really well. A lot of the times I have to re-roll the sushi because I put too much stuff in it; usually it's the avocado that gives me the biggest problems of all. So I tend to stay away from putting avocados in the sushi (even though it's supposed to be in it).

5. The dining commons waste SO much food. It's crazy to see that we throw away food so easily. Man, I remember going to Nicaragua for missions and every little grain of rice was so important to me because that was my meal! I couldn't afford to waste precious food like that. Yet, I'm comfortable with throwing away a burger that I took two bites out of from the cafeteria.

6. Making sushi is somewhat therapeutic in the first hour of work........ok maybe the first 30 minutes of work. Then the next 3 and a half hours is just dreadful and painful.

7. For some reason, I was reminded of myself when I make sushi. Let me explain this one. When I make sushi, I spread the rice over a piece of seaweed, then add the avocado, cucumbers, crab meat, and roll it up. Everything has to be in the right place with the right amount so that I can make a pretty good sushi roll. It takes so much time and dedication to make a single sushi roll! I've come to the conclusion that I'm like the sushi roll that I was creating. You and I are the living creation that God has made.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb."-Psalm 139:13

He specfically created each one of us with different gifts, talents, and passions so that we in turn can bring him the glory through those things. Let me tell you, I enjoy the sushi I make for myself. Imagine how much greater it is for God to see his people turn and praise him for the work he has and is and will do in our lives.

P.S. I love Philadelphia and Spicy Tuna rolls. So if you ever have the urge to buy me sushi, you know what I want.