Hello, everyone!
Sorry I haven't written.  Its the end of the semester already and as I call it "Crunch Time."  I have finished all my classes, and somehow I don't have any more finals.  Culinary was a HOOT!!  We had so much fun. I can't wait to take the second part.  If you want to learn something new, have fun, and eat your projects... take Culinary. Chef Scott Bova is a fantastic teacher and a great guy.

Well, my son's All American football game got cancelled, just a few days before the game.  Two of the sponsors backed out at the last minute.  John is going to send out recruiting tapes, so all is not lost. 

Christmas is just days away and I haven't started shopping yet.  My whole family is coming to my house…4 kids and spouses, 2 granddaughters and my mom.  Four generations under the Christmas tree!  There is no better gift in the world.  We plan on following our tradition of watching "The Christmas Story" nonstop.  We have our 2 year old granddaughter in training. She now gives a raspberry after singing "Jingle Bells", says "You'll shoot your eye up" (yes, up not out), and looks at Papa's leg lamp and says "just like the movie!" 

Well everyone, have a great break, rest, enjoy, and have fun!  But mostly, have a Merry and Blessed Christmas or Hanukkah, and a very Happy and Safe New Year!!

Entry: 11/07/2007  

Hello, everyone. Thanks for checking out my first blog entry. My name is Mary Rachuna. I am considered a "non-traditional" student. I decided to go back to school when our youngest graduated high school. It's pretty neat to think that I am going to graduate the same time as my son! It is a lot of fun to share stories about homework, professors, and campus activities with my son, his girlfriend, and ALL the kids he graduated with! This is my third semester here at JCC, and I love it. The professors are great. Didn't realize professors could be so down to earth and CARING. The kids here are great, too. I must say, all those stories and rumors about kids nowadays being rude and impolite are totally UNTRUE. I have had more doors opened for me, and more kindness showed to me than ever before. There are great kids here. Must be that the parents are great too!

I suppose I should tell you about me. I am a business major and have only one more semester to go. I have been married to the most wonderful man on earth for 21 years. We have 4 children, ages 30, 23, 20, and 19. We are so proud of all of them. We have 2 granddaughters, and our first grandson is expected in February. Our youngest, John, has just become an All-American for football. He attends ECC in Orchard Park and is studying architecture. The game will be televised, too. ESPN 2 we think. Anyway, I will let you know. He has been Conference Special Teams player of the week for 4 out of 7 weeks. It is really exciting around here, with colleges calling, scouts checking him out (D1 and pro teams) and offers coming in. John has to pick 5 D1 colleges and commit to one on national television. Kansas has already offered him a full ride, and Louisville wants him to come NEXT semester! I am sorry about bragging, but I AM SOOOO PROUD! Our daughter, Liz, is married and expecting another baby. She is a stay at home mom, and loves it. She was born to do this. Our son Tory is a personal trainer and just became general manager of the World Gym in Niagara Falls. He also works at the gym in Williamsville. He is a busy boy! Our oldest, Joshua, lives in Maryland with his daughter, Annera. Hopefully, they will be home for Thanksgiving. I miss them so much.

I am also taking the new culinary class. This is the first time it has been offered, and it is SO much fun. I have learned a lot, and made great friends. It is run by the Food is Good organization, and I must say, having a gourmet chef of a 4 Star restaurant as your teacher is REALLY exciting! We had "fear factor" day a few classes ago... if it was raw, we ate it!
If you have read all the way through this you should pat yourself on the back! I hope I didn't bore you too much. I will write again.

My photos from the culinary institute

Kathy Whittemore doesn't like Sushi!!	Tartar?? Never again for me!
Chef Scott Bova...Sushi King!	Seviche (raw scallops in citrus juice)