Hi folks! It feels so good to find my kind of peeps! Anyways, obviously i'm a newbie. But wanted to ask, where do i start? how do i start? I'd love to compete and become a good barista, but don't know where to start. I live up here in Alaska, and i have not seen any coffee fairs at all. It's kind of frustrating. And then on top of that, everybody thinks i'm crazy for wanting to just be a barista. I can't help it, I love making and serving coffee. Coffee is more that coffee to me. Especially since I have a pretty well paying job in the government. Everyone just thinks i'm dum for wanting to quit my job and just work at a coffee shop. I don't even want to own my own business, as long as i make coffee and make peoples' day with good quality coffee, I'm happy. I'd also like to compete around the world. That sounds so fun, and make me realize how miserable my life is now. ;( Either way, maybe now i have some hope to fulfill my dreams. Thank you Barista Exchange!!