I started cooking at eighteen when I left for college and realized I didn't really know how to cook anything for myself. Over the past 11 years, I've been gradually building my cooking skills until I reached a point where people describe me as a "good cook." I'm very proud of this and love reading recipes and learning new cooking techniques. Anything quick and easy I can make after a long day at work, anything with a Mexican or Asian flavor, any dessert without chocolate! My family didn't really value cooking. My mom was one of those people who thought she couldn't cook well, so she didn't try to get better. I grew up thinking cooking was mysterious and difficult and was afraid to try recipes for fear I'd fail. I made tiramissu earlier this year and am very proud of this. I learned how to prepare a thanksgiving dinner by myself! I can make homemade fudge in many different varieties. People frequently request my homemade cookies, chips, and salsa. Homemade mayonnaise and I do not get along. I've set a pan of boiling water on fire once (I'm actually proud of this) and I've set toasting bread on fire in the oven a few times.