You can't take it with you: Kaminsky's, Charleston SC

I should have known something was up after the server left our table the first time.

He was too nice. He was just too happy. It wasn't normal.

And it wasn't an insincere happiness either. This man was genuinely thrilled to be there. When I decided to order the berry cobbler his face lit up with pure and unfiltered joy. I should have known then.

A ceramic bowl was placed before me. I could barely make out the crust of cobbler or blue berries beneath the mound of ice cream topped with whipped cream and raspberry sauce. The heat from the cobbler created a steam when it met with the frosty cold ice cream that was smothering it from above.

After the first bite it all made sense.

Who couldn’t be happy here? Who wouldn’t want to live their life serving the most amazing deserts known to man in a tiny room with exposed brick and warm lighting. Why would that server ever want to leave this place. Why would I for that matter?

Once I was able to collect myself I glanced across the table. Nick was staring at me. Wonder and amazement in his eyes.

“What,” I said. Nervous that I’d made some sort of unconscious exclamation that I would die happy now I’d tasted this miraculous cobbler.

“That was the most delicious bite of cake I’ve ever had,” he said. “I’m afraid to take another bite because there is no way anything could ever be better than that bite.”



For the first time I noticed that he had a large slice of white cake sitting in front of him. Our buy one get one free coupon put to good use. His plate was covered in a caramel drizzle. The cake looked as if it had some sort of caramel mixed within the batter. As Anna would say, “the intrinsic nature of the cake was caramelized.” It looked delicious. I couldn’t think about anything but my cobbler.

As I gazed lovingly at my plate, I cursed the delicious dinner we’d just had at a fancy pants restaurant down the street. How dare those oysters and flounder take up room for this masterpiece of a cobbler? What had I been thinking when I ever ate anything but this cobbler. In a sugar induced craze, Nick and I began to make promises we knew we couldn’t keep.

“I’ll never eat anything but this cobbler ever again,” I swore. “If I died now I’d be happy because this cake is all that matters in the world,” he wept.

It was too good. We didn’t even eat it quickly. We savored each bite. Sucked the essence out of every particle of each dish. Neither of us even came close to finishing. And then we realized. We couldn’t take it home. Not only would it prove to be a logistical nightmare. The consistency of both dishes were not suitable for travel. But there was no way to transport the atmosphere and the flavor of that tiny place. It wouldn’t be the same. It would ruin the most delicious thing either of us had ever had. We didn’t want a reheated version of heaven. Not when it was sitting right in front of us.

A delirious laughter took over. We were filled with the simple joy and remorse that comes with the knowledge that you’ve tasted the best, and nothing will ever be as good ever again.

Now, in the light of day, I realize that there is a reason to go on living. Because I can have my slice of heaven again. In fact, it only costs $5.75.

Price of an American Education: the pre/post-graduate dilemma

LSAT - $130
Study Materials - $50
LSAC - $150
Transcripts - $30
Applications (10 schools) - $530

Total Cost of Law School before stepping foot through the doors: $890.00

Average Tuition per year: $25,000
Average Cost of Living per year: $15,000

Total Cost of a Legal Education in America: $120,890.00

How much is too much? At what point do you put a dream in a drawer and lock it shut because it's just not reasonable?

Cost of happiness (for parents and other disapproving relatives)

More and more young 20-something couples that I know are moving in together. In my mind, ignorant as I might be, that seems like a very rational thing to do. On the other hand, when I hear of young 20-something couples getting married it is very difficult to get my mind around it.

I think it is safe to say that the opposite outlook is taken by the older generation.

I find myself having more and more conversations with people who are trying to find a way to break it to their parents that they are going to be living with their significant other with no matrimonial intentions in sight.

Would they rather we all tie the knot for better or for worse? It's just not that generation any longer.

We are the generation of taste testers. The generation of options and careers and travel. Jumping up and moving across the country or the world is a viable option for so many of us. Marriage just seems like something for old people ready to settle down.

Understandably, many parents and older relatives do not want to hear about young couples living together. But what about the obvious cost savings associated with such a choice? Especially for people who have moved somewhere together?

Let's be honest here. If you're dating someone, odds are you are spending most of your time at his or her house anyhow. And I know that parents want to keep up the lovely facade that you only see one another in a chaperoned group on Sunday afternoons. But that is most likely not the case, and deep down they know it.
So why do they make us feel guilty for wanting to live together?

Now, I am not campaigning for a slew of 19 year old college kids to move in with their significant others. But if two intelligent people who obviously get along are both out of school and working doesn’t it make sense for them to live together? Especially if they have moved somewhere together or don’t know many people in their area.

A single apartment, ANYWHERE, averages no less than $700 per month. Then throw in the cost of parking, cable, internet, electric, water and groceries. That is more than $1,200 a month that could be split down the middle. Add in little things like car insurance, car payments, student loans, credit card bills and just the general cost of living, and you’ve got a pretty hefty financial burden being demanded of a young 20-something just out of college with a pathetically low salary at an entry level job.

PARENTS. You are costing your financially independent (and therefore struggling) children more than $10,000 a year in frivolous costs.

Sure, sure – they could live with a random roommate. But what are the odds of THAT working out. Some people are lucky (such as me – xoxo Petra&Olive!) but I’ve also heard horror stories about people who move in with nut jobs or even just with people they don’t mesh with. This isn’t college anymore. We have careers and busy, busy lives and the last thing a struggling young professional needs to worry about is what to expect once they get home from a hectic day at work.

So what is the answer? Who knows. Because when it comes down to it, a lot of families are not going to budge on this issue. And a lot of young adults are going to have to find a way to pay for the cost of keeping their parents and relatives happy.

Snow in the South

Snow has been a hot topic of conversation in Charleston this week. Is it or isn't it? Will it or won't it?

I've heard the possibilities discussed in a million different ways and yet...no snow. In fact, no one even seems to be wearing coats. Now - it is cold. And people are clearly expecting snow on some level. But for some reason, coats seem to have disappeared in the south.

This is even more fascinating because about two months ago, when I was still wearing tank tops and shorts. People here began wearing uggs and north face jackets as if they were preparing for inevitable cold front. I was hot just looking at them. But now that it is actually cold, it's as if the entire population has changed their minds. Mother Nature called their bluff and they aren't having it. People are walking around in long sleeved tees and jeans while talking casually about the snow that may or may not ever arrive.

Very strange bunch these southerners.

Perhaps it's because they all keep their homes and offices at a temperate 75 degrees. They know that even if they're cold for a moment it won't last long.

Or maybe, like me at the moment, they just don't own winter jackets. Because although winter does come in the south. It doesn't stay long. And perhaps the vast majority of southerners prefer to just suffer through the two cold winter months and refuse to purchase a bulky winter coat that will take up a large portion of minimal downtown closet space. Or maybe they're all just nuts.


Can't wait to see what happens if it actually snows. Against my better judgment I'm going to go ahead and make a broad assumption and say that most Charleston residents don't have a whole lot of experience driving in the snow.

The bridges should be especially fun. For anyone that doesn't know. Downtown Charleston is a peninsula, so to get anywhere you have to use one of three very, very large bridges. I can only imagine the chaos that will ensue if any of those bridges becomes covered with snow and then thousands of terrified South Carolinians attempt to drive over it. Yikes.

Tax Cuts and Coffee

I heard something very interesting while driving to work this morning that made me think of our struggling president and it gave me a moment to turn recent events around in my head a bit.

As it turns out, bold coffee typically has the least amount of caffeine. This obviously turned my world upside down. All this time I have been fooled by the basic assumption that BOLD = STRONG.

Well, that's what you get for making broad assumptions with little to no research to back it up.

Apparently, bold coffee beans are cooked longer and as a result lose some of the natural materials that create the caffeine we Americans love so much.

Bold does not necessarily mean strong. So, given the basic logical equations - one could assume that a lack of boldness does not necessarily mean a lack of strength. Can this apply to the country? Just because the president is not making the boldest moves - does that automatically mean that he is not strong? That he will not give this country the energy boost it so desperately requires?

Now I have not been blown away by Obama. I have not read about what he is doing and thought, "WOW - thank God he is President." But let's be fair here. The man was given a field with poor soil and told to make it into a productive farm. And he took that challenge. But after he took it they threw a curveball, "Oh by the way, you can't use any tools. And your entire crew just quit."

Extending Bush tax cuts was a strange move in a lot of ways. The general idea of saving less and spending more doesn't seem like a great plan. It was in fact, a very not bold move. And at first I saw it as a collapse of Obama’s strength under the constant pressure of Republican opposition.

Do you know what the stated number one priority is of the Republican Party?

To deny President Obama a second term.

They actually said that. They have actually said that no matter what he does - they will fight him. No matter how many times he tries to get them to agree with him - to work alongside their Democratic counterparts - they will fight him.

No matter how I feel about our present Commander In Chief – that’s a tough burden to bear.

But after learning about the coffee I have second guessed my perception of our president's strength.

Perhaps Obama is not making bold moves. But when you look at the situation he has put himself in, apparently he has the strength to take on the Republican Party and the Democratic Party in order to find the balance that our country requires.

Change takes time. And maybe Obama wasn't the best choice - but he was the choice that was made and maybe, just maybe, if someone would allow him to continue making his (not so bold) moves. He will give us the strength we need. And who knows, perhaps if we let him cook a little longer our president will grow bolder and his strength will be taken up by the American people. Or he could burn and ruin the whole pot. But let’s keep it optimistic.

Then again. This is a comparison of coffee to politics, so don't take anything you read here too much to heart.

November in the North Pole - frigid tempertures of low 40s hit Charleston, SC

It's finally cold in Charleston. Apparently snow has swept in from Minnesota and the chill is passing through the south. I blame Tara. Although I wouldn't mind seeing a little snow. Actually...when I think about it, snow is the last thing I need. It will simply taunt me with the reality that I live in a flat tropical paradise where people ride on waves and not mountains. Snow completely contradicts the whole principal of moving here and does nothing but make me miss home.

I want to learn to surf. May as well join in with the locals. Although I suppose now is not the best time of year, not to mention the fact that I barely have time to sleep not to mention surf.

I'm anxious for the holidays to be over. Holidays are stressful in normal situations, living 14 hours away only makes them more so. I don't even have a single Christmas decoration up in my house. It's sad. I was thinking the other day of the house at 517 E. University and the Christmas Tree we had there. We decorated it with tinsle, christmas lights and a lot of glitter. The glitter wasn't the best idea, it didn't do much for the tree and our house retained remants of it well past the holiday.

I remember coming home from an interview in Chicago and everyone was getting ready for our Christmas party. I think that was the year we said BYOB and the table we put out for alcohol collapsed under the weight of everyone's contributions. I believe there were pretzels and snowflake shaped Little Debby's as well. I doubt many people paid attention to the food. At some point a St. Bernard joined in with that party. Anna locked herself in her room and Trellis deleted all the pictures from everyone's camera. We had at least 6 couches in that house and we'd pushed them all up against the walls - where some of them remained until the end of the year. By the morning I was sleeping in the living room snuggled up next to Tara who's feet were freezing like a vampire.

I think that whole night was thanks to Amber and Jesse coming home one day with a Christmas Tree that nobody wanted and then everyone loved.

Life and Times of Three Young Professionals

From: Tara.Garrett [mailto:Tara.Garrett@target.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 2:46 PM
To: Emily Gibbons; Tessa Rossi
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

I’m not holding my breath just yet… it is all still very new and things often change. We’ll see!!

I’m not sure 3 p.m. works for me, I have a meeting to discuss 2011 Halloween contingency planning.

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From: Tessa Rossi [mailto:TRossi@hirons.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 2:49 PM
To: 'Tara.Garrett'; Emily Gibbons
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

OH tg you are too cute.

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From: Emily Gibbons [mailto:egibbons@palmettogoodwill.org]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 2:51 PM
To: Tessa Rossi; 'Tara.Garrett'
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

ALSO. 2011 Halloween contingency planning. HAHA.

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From: Tessa Rossi [mailto:TRossi@hirons.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 2:54 PM
To: Emily Gibbons; 'Tara.Garrett'
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

I don’t know what contingency means.

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From: Emily Gibbons [mailto:egibbons@palmettogoodwill.org]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 1:53 PM
To: Tessa Rossi; Tara.Garrett
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

And were I drinking coffee it would have been all over my computer. We aren’t allowed to have coffee at our desks here. It is hard.

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From: Tara.Garrett [mailto:Tara.Garrett@target.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 2:54 PM
To: Emily Gibbons; Tessa Rossi
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

How do you survive??

Tara Garrett | Business Analyst | Seasonal and Stationery | Target.com | 612.304.5571

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From: Emily Gibbons [mailto:egibbons@palmettogoodwill.org]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 1:57 PM
To: Tara.Garrett; Tessa Rossi
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

It’s very difficult. I start by waking up at 6:30 to walk pepper and drink a pot of coffee. Then I bring a thermos with me to work and keep it in the break room. Then I go to starbucks during my lunch break and buy two Americanos with extra espresso – one to drink and one to put in my empty thermos in the break room.

With that I am able to barely make it through the day.

Barely.

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From: Tara.Garrett [mailto:Tara.Garrett@target.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 2:59 PM
To: Emily Gibbons; Tessa Rossi
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

Haha oh my! I drink one cup before I go to work, put the rest of the pot in my travel mug for my desk and the rest of the day I get Diet Pepsi for a quarter… pretty good deal!

Tara Garrett | Business Analyst | Seasonal and Stationery | Target.com | 612.304.5571

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From: Emily Gibbons [mailto:egibbons@palmettogoodwill.org]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 2:00 PM
To: Tara.Garrett; Tessa Rossi
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

Diet Pepsi is liquid satan.

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From: Tara.Garrett [mailto:Tara.Garrett@target.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 3:02 PM
To: Emily Gibbons; Tessa Rossi
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

Shut your mouth.

Tara Garrett | Business Analyst | Seasonal and Stationery | Target.com | 612.304.5571

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From: Tessa Rossi [mailto:TRossi@hirons.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 3:05 PM
To: 'Tara.Garrett'; Emily Gibbons
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

Ive never had a caviety in my life and although I hate my teeth, I will vote that taras teeth are like chicklets and lovely and perfect so there.

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From: Emily Gibbons [mailto:egibbons@palmettogoodwill.org]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 3:03 PM
To: Tessa Rossi; 'Tara.Garrett'
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

Orange chicklets.

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From: Tessa Rossi [mailto:TRossi@hirons.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 3:07 PM
To: Emily Gibbons; 'Tara.Garrett'
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

Did I tell you I couldn’t grasp the concept of hot tub time machine? But I finished it bc dale from greek is on it. In it. Im really tired.

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From: Emily Gibbons [mailto:egibbons@palmettogoodwill.org]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 3:07 PM
To: Tessa Rossi; 'Tara.Garrett'
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

Remember when I met Ashley and Fisher? I just went through part of our mass communication and said a little prayer that our IT department doesn’t monitor email.

Pepper is in love with my bear and she steals it and humps it. It’s weird.

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From: Tessa Rossi [mailto:TRossi@hirons.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 2:10 PM
To: 'Emily Gibbons'; Tara.Garrett
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

Our IT department is Brett, and I don’t care if he reads these emails because I bet he will laugh. Pepper is supposed to be the humpee, not the humper. She is a lady. Not that she’d learn much from hanging around with you.

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From: Tara.Garrett [mailto:Tara.Garrett@target.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 3:09 PM
To: Tessa Rossi; 'Emily Gibbons'
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

I’m officially wierded out…

Tara Garrett | Business Analyst | Seasonal and Stationery | Target.com | 612.304.5571

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From: Tessa Rossi [mailto:TRossi@hirons.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 3:14 PM
To: 'Tara.Garrett'; Emily Gibbons
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

The mailman came and I missed the buzzer because I was talking to you guys!!!!! WTF!!!!!!

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From: Emily Gibbons
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 3:15 PM
To: 'Tessa Rossi'; 'Tara.Garrett'
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

Annnnnnndddd, you’re fired.

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From: Emily Gibbons [mailto:egibbons@palmettogoodwill.org]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 2:26 PM
To: Emily Gibbons; Tessa Rossi; Tara.Garrett
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

For future conversations – let’s plan a group vaca somewhere this spring. Nick gets really cheap hotels - $75/week at the hotel group he works for – it’s called Blue Green.

Let’s go to Mardi Gras 

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From: Tara.Garrett [mailto:Tara.Garrett@target.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 3:27 PM
To: Emily Gibbons; Tessa Rossi
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

GREAT idea! I’ve always wanted to do Mardi Gras!

Tara Garrett | Business Analyst | Seasonal and Stationery | Target.com | 612.304.5571

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From: Emily Gibbons [mailto:egibbons@palmettogoodwill.org]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 3:36 PM
To: Tara.Garrett; Tessa Rossi
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

TESSA. Find tickets. Us and Trellis. Go.

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From: Tessa Rossi [mailto:TRossi@hirons.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 3:39 PM
To: Emily Gibbons; Tara.Garrett
Subject: RE: Let's get this party started

I’m busy watching trailers of movies!