I Bake.

Hello everyone, it's a wonderful Monday morning here and the kids are in school again, thank God for this because it's always tough having to take care of them. From shouting to correcting, I guess that's just how kids are.

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Today on the Hive Learners, I will be sharing with you all what I do aside from blogging, though it's been a while since I did it, but this is my job.

I am a baker who makes pastries and cakes, but I am now limited now because I do not have an oven. I've attempted several times to purchase one, but I'm unable to do so due to the high costs of things in the country and because of the fact that I'm busy with other things right now.

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I am a student at Yabatech, currently doing my ND3 program. The expenses from school haven't allowed me to push my baking business as I want to, but that doesn't mean I have given up on it. I did do some cakes and pastries for family and close friends, even though it was at a discounted price.

And no, I don't want to change what I do. I tried to learn to sew clothes once, but I wasn't paying much attention because it wasn't my thing, it felt strange to me.

Baking is my passion. From the mixing to putting it in the oven, I really derive great joy and happiness just from seeing my creations turn out fresh, sweet and delicious

It's not that I don't have other talents. Many people have pushed me to try this and that side hustle before. But so far, this baking thing really has my heart.

Like this one time when my aunt wanted to force me to learn hairstyling so I could work in a salon and do hair and massage. But from day one when I got to the salon, I just knew becoming a hairstylist was not for me! The smells and chemicals from all the relaxers did not agree with me at all! Plus what business did I have prying into people's personal lives as they gossiped at the salon? I don't like too much gossip!

Another time, someone in my area tried to lure me into joining the handicraft business she was doing ,making ankara bags, caps and all sorts. It was good and I liked the bright colors and patterns I saw. But when I sat down to try pattern cutting the cloths, after 10 minutes, I had a headache! Not my calling at all.

Apart from the fact that I can thread a needle very well, I don't really have any other talents that I've taken as seriously as this baking empire of mine.Only the cooking department holds me down!

I remember when I was just starting this as a little kid, anytime I smelled bread, buns or any baking scents from our neighbors' houses, I would sneak out from my mom's room to go study and watch them through the window! They didn't chase me away because I wasn't disturbing them.

As I grew up, I would run to the bakeries after school to watch the men and women take measurements and mix the ingredients. Anytime I smelled what they were baking, my mouth would water.

When my own mom saw that this was really what I wanted to do, she started buying the ingredients and equipment so I could practice at home. Even my mom started baking so I could learn from her too, I remember her making my younger sister’s birthday cake, without an oven and that's what grew the passion, gave me experience and turned it into the side hustle I run till today.

Anytime my pastries, cakes or breads are ready and I package them nicely with cute ribbons and bows, I get so much joy and satisfaction seeing how neat and professional they look! When I deliver to customers and they compliment the taste and quality, my heart melts!

In fact, the sweetness of baking is what even got me friends too during school days. Anytime I brought my baked goods to school, they would rush me screaming "Baker treasure! Baker treasure" I didn't even sell it, I just shared it anyway because I baked it.

So there's no way I'll just leave my oven kingdom today to chase another hustle that my heart is not in. Let me focus on getting the oven for my baking first before I think of any sideline career changes.

In fact, the only opportunities I'm reasoning are baking-related ones. Like maybe to start taking cake and bread decoration classes someday or get an industrial oven that will allow me to increase production and work more professionally.

But this is my calling and passion. As long as there is money in it, then better bread will soon rise. I'm always happy whenever I drop this gist for people's ears and they encourage me. My chest swells with pride and I gain more confidence in the thing that I do and love.