Cancer survivor since 2004 (remission since 2006). Love music of all kinds, photography, baking, four-legged furry friends (cats, dogs, rabbits) though currently I have 2 Tetra fish) I graduated Midstate College in Peoria and received my Associate in Business Computer Accounting in Feb. 2008 and received my Bachelor in Accounting and Business Administration in May 2009. I have worked for the local casino as an Accountant since late July 2009. I love to cook the things I don't need to eat- cookies, brownies, desserts. I also do main dishes with pasta, chicken, fish, pork chops and hamburger and lately I've been trying mushroom-based main dishes. I try to fix something new and different at least twice a month. Typically my cooking involves easy to intermediate recipes. We always had a birthday party for my great grandma every year for like 8 or so years straight, and we'd always make the cake.. So, even when she passed, we still celebrated with a cake for ourselves. That was the same with my uncle who passed in Aug. 2005, we celebrated his birthday with his favorite meal/cake in April '06 and have ever since- steak and carrot cake. I just appreciate it when someone thinks you made something wonderful. My chocolate chip cookies and brownies are usually a hit. Every year I try to make something I've never made before (usually around Christmas or family gathering), and I feel "special" that I've accomplished something new! Misreading the brownie recipe and putting 1/2 cup corn syrup in instead of 1/4 (it's 1/2 cup honey OR 1/4 cup corn syrup). Talk about a chocolate mess. I cooked it twice as long, but never set up. I reread and found my mistake... But that was the best tasting mistake!