Week 1 (09/25/-10/1)– This week I finalized my ILC goals and readings, I collected my readings either physically or by researching online access, and I sent messages out to specific members of my family for pictures or asking for time to talk to them.
Week 2 (10/02-10/08)– This week I started reading The Cooking Gene by Michael W. Twitty. This book felt like the best way to start because it is similar to the kind of end product I hope to have for my ILC. I read the introduction as well as the first three chapters and I created a shortlist of potential writing prompts from them. In the end I answered two, but there are two other questions I spent some time workshopping because I think they could be interesting I’m just struggling to word them in a way that is understandable to someone other than me.
I also spoke to my mom about her tradition of making amazing birthday cakes for us every year, she’s going to talk to me about it more in-depth soon but she did send me some pictures I have uploaded and we talked a little about it. I am excited to write up more about my mom, as well as hopefully talk to some other family members.
Week 3 (10/09-10/15) – This week I read the next three chapters of The Cooking Gene by Michael W. Twitty. So far this book has been really engaging and I’m coming up with lots of ideas and questions that I can apply to my personal menu challenge. I collected images of holiday celebration foods which for our family was mainly Christmas, it reminded me that I should get the almond cookie recipe from my mom ASAP because they are perfect for this time of year. I also started brainstorming meals and foods I ate before college, separated into two categories by location. This list will become the basis for my personal menu challenge as I expand it.
Week 4 (10/16-10/22)– This week I read three more chapters of The Cooking Gene by Michael W. Twitty. I am going to take a break after this week and start reading something else but I do really love this book and even if the quarter ends before I get the chance to put it in my ILC I will definitely be reading the end of this book. I spoke to my grandmother about the foods we ate growing up, and drafted my personal menu which I will keep working on through week nine. I also presented to Sarah’s Freshman/sophomore class on Wednesday.