Next Food Network Star

I've been watching some of this series, plotting my own entry into next year's version (after I go to cooking school.)

For those who don't watch Food Network, the studios are located at Chelsea Market in NYC, a funky building with cool shops, restaurants, and bakeries. It's also across the street from the PR firm where I was interviewed as a finalist for the Dream Fund contest.

I paced the halls of Chelsea Market, killing time before the meeting. I thought it would be a good idea to pick up something sweet in case my blood sugar dropped (having exhausted my supply at about 2AM the night before). So I stopped at a newsstand at one end of the market and bought some skittles.

I'm not someone who spends a lot of time on clothes and hair and I think I actually had to go buy some makeup for this adventure, so I was nervous about how I looked.

As I handed the Skittles to the woman behind the counter, she gave me a friendly 'hello' and said, "well don't you look like a million bucks?" I laughed and said, "That's great, I only need to look like $100K!"

She didn't have to say anything other than, "That'll be $1.25". Instead, she said exactly what I needed to hear at that very moment. I left the Market with an extra measure of confidence and a tad bit more optomism. I felt like a star.

Few would agree that we can expect such kindness from strangers, but most would concur that it sure makes a difference!