I LIVE!

Its hard to believe but I survived this week.
And by "this week" I mean these, past three days.
Its been stressful, hectic, sleep-deprived, and CRAZY.
In fact I am so tired now, that I won't write any more right now.
Maybe later.
Just wanted you to know that I didn't perish, and I passed my test.
In case you were wondering.

Server-tude.

I've pretty much always thought that the "waitressing thing" wasn't my cup of tea.
When I eat out I think, Man, I would hate that job. I could never do that.
But then again that's what I said about Tim Hortons too...I'm beginning to see a pattern**
I believe I touched on my dislike of waitressing briefly in my last post. Well today I went in for my first shift at Billy M's as a server. Uh huh.
I wasn't actually assigned any tables, because it was technically a training shift, but I did a little bit of everything and had a taste of the waitressing life, including an angry customer.
My conclusion: I still don't like waitressing. Big surprise! What a shocker.
It wasn't even the cranky people...Tim Hortons has sufficiently desensitized me to that! I just don't like the table-hopping, the fake smiles, and the customers with attitude. I gravitate to the behind-the-scenes, whether it was clearing dishes and wiping tables, or making milkshakes in the back. I just wanted to hop into the back of the kitchen and start doing the prep work I signed up for!
I sound pretty whiny, I'll admit. I actually had a fairly good night. I screwed up a couple times, but I wasn't stressed, felt fairly comfortable, and the girls there seem pretty cool. So as far as I'm concerned, I'll do this serving thing for a while and then either get in the kitchen or get out altogether. Since this is only a part-time, get-me-through-school deal, I don't mind so much and it isn't so depressing as Tim Hortons was.
Anyway, that is the update on my new job. Tomorrow I start culinary training! If I'm not too dead, I might write a little something about it when I get home. Lucky you!


**Hold on a sec, let's see if this works:

"I would hate to inherit a huge fortune, and a summer home in Tahiti. "

I'll keep you posted on how this turns out...

Summer's End

Today marks the end of summer for me. Sure its not the end of August, but "Summer" has always been about spending days outside, enjoying friends, sleeping in, goofing off...
at least to my inner child. (Sure I've worked during the summer, but its different)
Since I've been back in Canada responsibility has been set aside for a while. I've mostly had the summer to kick back and relax, enjoy camp, and reconnect with friends.
The C&C girls had an impromptu camping trip last night. We drove to our spot in the dark at around 9:30/10PM and set up our tent. we stayed up talking for hours and went for hike in the morning... I love that. Just jumping in the car, throwing stuff in the back, and hoping that you remembered the matches.

So that was a good finish to my lovely, relaxing, responsibility-free summer!
Tomorrow I start my first training shift at Billy M's, and Wednesday my culinary classes begin! Thursday I get a taste of both, and Friday will be spent taking care of any homework that may have cropped up. Saturday I work, and Sunday & Monday I can catch my breath from my first, very busy, week of the school year. And maybe have some fun :)
After that things won't slow down much.
Culinary will take me from 7:30-3:30 M-F, and I'm working 2 nights a week plus Saturday. Hopefully I'll be able to spend some time at Youth on Wednesday nights, and Saturday nights, and perhaps some hockey on Friday nights.

I'll be busy for sure. But I'm kind of looking forward to that.

Billy Miner is my Man

In yesterday's paper was a flyer shouting, "NOW HIRING" at the Billy Miner's Roadhouse. I'd already applied at Tumbleweeds, but they're not opening until October, and I kind of need to start earning some cash, er, NOW!
This morning I printed off my updated resume and coverletter and zoomed down the highway to see if I could make something of myself. Or something.
It was a strange time. The last time I'd dropped off resumes and anticipated interviews was back in the Pre-Tim-Horton's Days...and its not a feeling I am particularly fond of.
I hate worrying about first impressions, I never feel qualified, and my mind never works very fast when it comes to interviews.
Nevertheless I girded my loins, so to speak, and entered the restaurant.
And I saw Kelsey. It would be fun to work with Kelsey.
I asked for the manager and soon a middle-aged blonde with an apron and a slightly harried manner glanced me over, took my resume and sat me down at a nearby table. She hardly grasped my hand when I introduced myself and scanned the papers in front of her.
"Have you ever waitressed before?" She asked.
I wondered if she had seen the part on my resume where I applied for Prep Cook. And my work experience at Camp Homewood. And Tim Hortons.
"Um, no, but I have worked in an industrial kitchen type setting, and I'm used to the fast paced environment-"
She nodded without looking up.
"Hmmm," She paused, "What hours can you work?"
I explained to her my schedule, and she seemed satisfied. And then she said something else and left. I was pretty sure it was something like, "Wait here." But after a few long minutes I began to wonder if I had been excused from the premises. There was no sign of her. Feeling fairly certain that I should wait it out, I looked around. It was a pretty cute restaurant...lots of "wild west" decor and an open, airy feel. Most of the patrons at this hour (10:30 AM) were relaxed over-the-hill-ers enjoying a Saturday morning brunch. A few seemed to be regulars.
At last the manager returned, bearing a menu and a couple stray papers.
"Alright, we'd like to hire you," She said, bent over a schedule.
I'm hired? Just like that? I guess my innocent smile negates the need for a reference check.
"...as a server." She continued.
Wait.
What?
HOLD ON. I don't DO the waitressing thing. I don't LIKE the waitressing thing.
"I've never waitressed before," I said nervously, trying to point out that I had KITCHEN EXPERIENCE. PUT ME IN THE KITCHEN. I LIKE THE KITCHEN!
"We'll train you, and then you can get to know the menu and how everything runs," She said, jotting down a few things on her schedule. "When do your classes start?"

I walked out of there hired, certainly...but I don't know how long my shifts are, what I will be getting paid, and doing something I've always said I would never do.
Didn't I mention something about not being able to think straight in interviews? Its very sad.

Actually I'm not too worried about it. The waitressing won't be forever...just until I know the menu. I'll make sure of that. And I'll figure out the rest of it when I start on Tuesday. I'm just glad that I've got something to get me through university this year! Maybe I'll even be able to get a car....ahh luxury.

Solitary Confinement

So today I am home alone, and I think I'm either sick or getting sick. So I haven't done much.
I did happen to find this post on a random blog. And let me tell you, I giggled like none other. Maybe its the twisted Kostelyk humor in me, but I found it ridiculously funny.
So maybe it will amuse you too.
Right now I'm in a blogging slump in case you didn't pick up on that. I wish I could write more interesting posts...but nothing is coming to me right now. I'm sure once classes start I'll be able to fill you all in on the quirks of culinary school and the people involved. There are bound to be lots of 'interesting' characters and situations there!

Blaaaaaaahhhh....

Don't get me wrong- I had a really great week out at Homewood. I'll probably do a post later.
But that's just it...I'm doing everything "later" and its making me feel soooo disorganized and rumpled up in my mind.
My room has not yet recovered from the post-painting mess, I have a few appointments I need to make AND attend before school starts on the 27th, I'm trying to get a job, considering buying a car, should get rid of my "N", I still haven't had my orientation at the university....I need to buy JEANS (my absolute favorite shopping chore...), my emails are way behind, and what am I doing...sitting here BLOGGING about it.
I don't understand myself.
The fun part of my summer is OVER. No more hanging around, no more putting things off...its time for me to get down to business.
In fact I will make a list. And I will start tomorrow.

Argh. This week is going to be so much fun.

Heading Out

So its been a pretty stellar long weekend...I so enjoyed playing floor hockey on Friday, and rugby/football/keep-a-way + Soccer on Sunday night, even if it has left me looking as though I am physically abused. Huge purple & green bruises all up my legs. Fun fun!
Spent the day at LeFebvre's cabin on Shuswap lake yesterday-- water was sooo warm! Warmer than our pool. Spent hours in the water which is VERY unusual for me, and then played some "scum" (card game!) and then I fell asleep in the sand until dinner hehe...
I'm hoping to spend today being industrious (aren't I getting a good start??) getting ready for camp and preparing for MY FUTURE (aka School starts on the 27th), plus....meeting up with some friends who now live out of town! Should be a good day.
Now please excuse me while I check on my laundry and try to get some things done before I leave for town...I am a very busy person, dontcha know.

Oh ps. playing soccer the Girls (+Behn) beat the boys. That's right. We even had 1 less player for the first 1/3 or so. Paul, you were SO trying. Just face it. And then go back to the kitchen.