Hee hee hee

My little civic, Peppy, (He broke down on Sunday) is back on the road! Hooray!

I just decided I don't want to blog, so I'm not going to. Ha!

I'm such a rebel.

Wild in Scotland: the beginning

July 14- I left Fermoy and Ireland early in the morning. Christine drove me to Dublin airport where I boarded my flight to Edinburgh. My journal reports, "I'm just ready to fly home right now. I don't even really want to bother with Scotland."
I arrive in Edinburgh around 2PM where I'm met by Karen Mawhinney's cousin, Lyn. She gives me a driving tour of the amazing, beautiful city, and helps me sort out my train ticket to London.

Waverly Train Station in Edinburgh

She was fantastic and sooo much fun!
I stay overnight with Lyn and her husband Phil (minister of the Presbyterian church) in their gorgeous old townhouse downtown Edinburgh, and then she drops me off at the Wild in Scotland office building.
Its pretty awkward to begin with. There is a whole bunch of people standing around outside with big duffel bags. No one really knows what to say to each other.
Finally the office opens and we all start signing in, and get sorted into groups.
I find myself on a tiny white 17-passenger bus with only 7 others on board. Besides our enthusiastic and very Scottish guide, Fiona, I am the only one that came by myself. There are two Canadian girls that strike me as very possibly homeschooled (take that how you will), two Aussies, and three Brits: two girls and a guy.
Probably like the lone guy, I'm beginning to wonder what I've gotten myself into.
Everyone seems way older than me, and they've all brought friends!
At this point I'm wishing myself on a flight home.

Edinburgh Castle overlooking the Princess Gardens

Whatever, I'll just take lots of pictures for everyone and pretend I'm enjoying myself!
Fiona tells us that we will have some more people joining us the next day, since they will be leaving their 4-day tour and joining us for an additional 5 days. Then she talks us through Edinburgh's history as we make our way out of the city. Eventually the bus goes quiet, and she turns up the music. I start to fall asleep. Driving does that to me...when I'm not at the wheel of course.

The Wallace Monument

Stirling was our first stop. It was a really cute little place, and Fiona's hometown, so she was really excited to show some of it to us. The castle was amazing! Unfortunately we only saw it through the bus window, and I didn't have my camera out to snap a shot through the glass.
Of course we stopped at the famous river where Braveheart had his great victory over the British army, and were told the tale of his life and death. I was the only one that hadn't seen the movie, a fact that brought me much shame over the week.
At this point we also introduced ourselves to overcome the awkwardness, which of course DOESN'T WORK. It just became more awkward.
I wasn't really seeing any potential tour buddies and was having visions of loner-ness on my horizon. Everyone seemed to be keeping pretty much to their selves, and I'm not really that outgoing- in case you haven't noticed.
We drove for another long time. The scenery in the lowlands of Scotland is really nice! Very lush. I found it far more mountainous than Ireland, and more trees. And of course its abundant with European charm.

Hamish, the Highland Cow

We stopped at one tourist trap along the way: a little gift shop/tea house which featured a Highland Cow named Hamish. He lured picture-snapping, pointing, giggling, tourists in droves, especially since the store supplies you with free baggies of kiwis, cooked potato, carrots, apples, and other assorts foods to feed the little porker. All Hamish does all day is scarf the goodies down...he doesn't even need eyes, which I guess is a good thing since that hairstyle is a permanent deal.
After a potty break, we bid Hamish goodbye and hopped on the bus again.

The River in Killin

For lunch we pulled over at a tiny village which I believe was called Killin. It was a really quaint little place, but I was pretty tired and unenthusiastic at this point, so I didn't really take many pictures. Plus I just have issues with taking pictures of villages and being a conspicuous tourist. It doesn't help.

Tim, Kathryn, and Jenny

At this point I was searching for a place to eat some lunch. Suddenly someone called my name.
"Hey Jill!"
The Brits were walking behind me, and Kathryn waved at me.
"Want to have lunch with us?" She asked. Normally I might not want to hang out with 3 friends who know each other, are way older than me, and possibly have nothing in common with me...but I wasn't going to be choosy! And I'm so glad. Kathryn, if you ever happen to read this: thank you for that invitation! You saved my week.
We went to a little fancy little tea house and ordered nothing but tea and a scone, totally enraging the old waitress.
The three of them were a lot of fun to hang out with- always cracking jokes and bugging each other. We eventually wandered down to the river in the center of the village and took some pictures.
Later in the afternoon we pulled over in rainy, and fiercely windy, Glen Coe. It was about this point that we entered the Highlands, and the landscape began to change. It became even more mountainous, the road signs were given in Gaelic (a slightly different dialect than in Ireland), and it was COLD.
We hiked up a trail for about 15 minutes for a view over the valley, where Fiona told us the story of its dark and violent history. (Many, many years ago) The Campbell clan was forced by the king to attack the clan that lived in the valley. On the way they ran out of food and supplies and ended up cold and starving on the doorstep of those they were sent to kill. The clan (unaware of the Campbell's mission) took them in and fed them. After a week of warm hospitality, the Campbells were forced to massacre their hosts.
Apparently you can still hear the eerie shrieks of the murdered in the valley, and anyone under the name of Campbell is unwelcome in Glen Coe to this day. There are still very hard feelings among the locals.
After that very depressing story, we were shipped out to the Commander Memorial, which commemorated past and present soldiers.
We had anther snack break in Fort William and watched the boats go through the lock system to get from one lake into Loch Ness.
I think we also went to a place called St. Augusta, but I have no pictures, and no other memories of what it was about...so...I guess it wasn't that interesting.
The bus pulled into our hostel in Altguish around 8 or 9 PM and we were all relieved to get off and stretch our legs. We were given two rooms, and I bunked with my new British friends, while the Canadians and Aussies went in the other.
The hostel was FREEZING, and the water was brown with peat, which apparently wasn't harmful and didn't have a flavor...but there was a mental block there when you were served cloudy brown water in your glass, or ran a bath (there were no showers) that looked like lake water.
We met up with the rest of our tour inside the pub next door. Two more Canadians (Calgary Cowboys...haha...the Brokeback Mountain kind), a really funny guy from South Africa, a British burn-out, two Germans (a girl and a guy), and two hilarously awesome Scottish women.
The group began to gel a little with the help of the new additions, and some bevvies.
So that pretty much sums up the first day! It was packed full, and we covered a lot of ground. Tune in next time I have an hour to blog for an update!

More Summer Photos

July was a pretty crazy month for me. I realized that I haven't blogged about anything that happened in July, really. So those things are coming up next. I'm kinda going backwards.
Since its getting late already and picture posts take me a freakin long time, today you only get the announcement. My Wild In Scotland tour will be up sometime this weekend hopefully!
You will get to meet my good friend Hamish, see the sights of Orkney, and experience all the wonder and excitement of 20-somethings staying up all night in a castle, with a lot of alcohol. (I was good, I swear)
I'll bet you can't wait!

Summer Photo Update #2

Mom and I spent about 10 days down at Camp Homewood this summer, cooking at the Woodsman (wilderness) Camp. That means outhouses, no electricity, a homemade running water system (boiled in the "missonary pot" if you want it hot), and only tents and tarps for shelter. I love it!!!
During the time we were there they were running a Jr. Boys camp (ages 10-12) for a number or roughly 50. It was a lot of fun, especially since Tim was counseling there that week, and I knew most of the guys from previous summers.
Mrs Burdett, the head cook, taught us a card game called "wizard". We played it quite a bit!
Each tent has to take turns in doing the dishes. This little guy, known as "Gorgeous James", or simply "Gorgeous", had a slight problem with shorts that were too large...Otis came up with the satisfactory solution of putting Gorgeous' extremely long braids to good use (as suspenders)!
Here Mom is demonstrating the grueling task of cleaning the grill. Of course, after the posing is done, the real work gets handed off to me...ha ha....
We saw a lot of mink while we were down there. I think there was a whole family of them living beside the lake! They were almost tame...not scared of us at all.
It was a beautiful week to be working there. The weather was perfect, and the lake was warm! We had a great time, and even got to spend a couple extra days at the main camp after to visit with everyone! That week really made my summer :)

Summer Photo Update #1

In a desperate fit of homework procrastination, I bring to you my summer photo updates: highlights since my return to Kamloops!

In today's episode: my bedroom's life story.

Beige, Pink, Purple, Brown: Layers of my life

This room has undergone a lot of change since I first darkened its door at the age of five. Back then it was a bland beige and I shared it with Tim. Back in those days, I didn't really notice or care about decor. I don't think any five year old really does. So don't judge me.

When I was about eight years old, and had had the room to myself for a while, Mom and I tackled the bad beige job, and it became a little girl's wonderworld of PINK!!! and KITTIES!!! and some more PINK!!!
I'd like to think I was a pretty tasteful girly girl. After all, I choose the dark green kittens-in-the-garden border as my accent, instead of picking out the pink kitten-in-balls-of-yarn border. That means something, doesn't it??

Please ignore the little nerd in the middle of the room there.
That was the adopted sibling. We don't like to talk about her much.
Oh My. WHAT is she wearing??

When I hit my teens, PINK!!! wasn't so hot anymore, and neither were the KITTIES!!!
At 14, I decided it was time for a change, and since purple was my favorite color at the time, naturally the walls would reflect that. Again, my natural good taste won out and I didn't end up with a cheesy PURPLE!!! smeared on the wall- I got a light, airy purple, with a dark shade for my accent wall that reminded me of a blackberry milkshake (mmm!). I realllly liked that purple. Actually I still like that purple. But it was time for a change.

One of the first weekends I got home from Ireland, my mom and I decided to attack the purple. We armed ourselves with sandpaper, rollers, and a lovely creamy brown...
I love the change!

The color in this photo is probably the most accurate.

I have to admit, it did make the "moving back" transition a little hard. Everything was a mess and I was overwhelmed with all my "stuff". Its only recently that the decor has started to take shape again. I still need to put up some pictures or do something to the big empty walls. Its hard to put holes in after all that puttying and sanding...
The classy finished product...
I tried hard to get the color as accurate as possible. Its a little olive greeny in these pics.

I think its pretty cozy...A while ago I refinished that desk. It was given to my mom for her 13th birthday so you can GUESS how old it is :P
It used to be a computer desk downstairs, and it got some pretty rough treatment. When I got a hold of it, there were big gauges on the top, and it definitely needed some TLC. I stripped it, sanded it, stained it, put on new hardware, and claimed it as my own. I LOVE this desk.
That ugly orange dresser? That's next on my to-do list...
I ditched the squeaky, cheap closet doors long ago. I love the curtain so much more. Makes the room feel more open somehow.
Decorating my room is definitely a hobby of mine. The state of my room affects me a lot. I like it to be clean (even though it definitely doesn't stay that way for very long!), peaceful, functional, and beautiful. Its a work in progress. I'm always adjusting it, and trying out new things. I love it when I find something for my room that fits perfectly and adds a unique little touch. Like this:
Jill's Bedroom Metamorphosis seems to take place on milestones. Maybe next time you hear about one, it'll be when I move into my very own place! (Don't hold your breath. It could be a while...)

Freedom!

Anyhoo, this past Wednesday was a pretty momentous day for me. After borrowing the Rav, bumming rides off friends, and waking my parents up early to drive me to school for the past month or so, I've FINALLY bought my very own car!
A shiny red mustang convertible! Ok, not quite. She's a 1990 Honda Civic and she runs real nice.
I'm pretty pleased, I have to admit. You know how parents always think their babies are the cutest, even though they look like shriveled red aliens? Ya...my Civic is my baby.
In other news: I've transferred all my Ireland pictures onto CDs now, so my computer will no long implode at the mere thought of using up any more disc space. This means that all those pictures I've been hoarding on my camera memory sticks can now go on my computer and you will begin to see a few photos from this summer. If I'm feeling generous.

Caffienated Consequences

I used to drink coffee a lot more than I do now. In the past year I've moved over to tea- not because I don't like coffee, but because in Ireland they just drink TEA allllll the time, and its also healthy for you...so its guilt-free. I like that.
If I drink coffee frequently, the caffeine doesn't effect me too much, but when I've been holding out for a while...well, things can get a little out of control.
When I poured myself a mug of coffee at C&C last night, the possible consequences didn't even cross my mind. I enjoyed it to the full (even though I accidentally put waaaay too much creamer in) and thought nothing of it.
Until I lay my head down to sleep at 11pm, and my eyelids seemed to have mysteriously disappeared behind my sockets.
And my toes wiggled of their own accord.
And I fidgeted, and tossed, and turned, and I thought, "OH NO! I'M GOING TO BE SO TIRED TOMORROW MORNING!!!!!" All in capital letters.
There was a buzzing in my brain, and my heart was doing a spastic dance.
Its sad, really.
One little mug of coffee at 7PM kept me up all night.
For real.
I never got past the dozy stage between 11 pm until 4 am.
After 4 it was game over. I couldn't close my eyes, so I basically watched my clock until 6 when I got up for school.
I think I should stick to tea.

Cast of Characters

I've decided on a few PJ ID's for my instructors.

1. The BFG. My instructor for Veg & Starches, and Entrees. It not only stands for Big Friendly Giant, but Big Frightening Giant, because his moods are across the board. One second we can be laughing at stupid jokes about the Spice Girls, and the next he's shouting,
"What the hell are you doing?!" (<- happened today. My blood ran cold.) He also happens to be very tall. He has to duck through doors. Its true.

2. Ned Schneebly. So named for his striking resemblance to Mike White's character in School of Rock. I almost laughed out loud the first time I saw him. He will be teaching me about Soups & Stocks in two weeks, as well as Meat Cutting at some point.

EDIT: Ned's name is now officially changed to Toby.
Ever watched "The Office" ? Need I say more?










3. Gordon Ramsey (Cold Kitchen- salads, sandwiches, etc) It took me a long time to settle on this one. There are probably more apt titles for this instructor, but none of them would pass the PJ editor's approval. Gordon is very, very loud. All of the time. He is what we would call an "Aggressive Communicator". He will probably make me cry at some point this year.

4. "Grandfather" is really the only name that can properly describe our instructor for baking and desserts. He seems like the sweetest old man ever. He is always smiling and happy, he has a sweet European accent, and a gray mustache, AND he brings us goodies to eat at lunch. What is there not to love? I am so excited for baking class, I can't even tell you.

5. Mr Clean is bald like his namesake, also very insistent on cleanliness. He appears to be friendly, but I was always slightly mistrustful of the Mr Clean we saw on the commercials because you never know when that massive fist could be turned against you. I haven't seen much of this instructor since he teaches Breakfasts over in the Norkam cafeteria.

There you have it. I can never be pegged for slander.

Free Time

I seem to go from one extreme to the other.
It wasn't long ago I was sleeping in every day, eating a leisurely breakfast, and then goofing off for as many hours as I pleased.
These past few weeks have been quite a bit different. To say the least.
I am genuinely busy...on the go all the time. If I'm not at school, I'm at work, and If I'm not at work I'm doing homework, and if I'm not doing homework I'm at Youth or C&C...
When I log into Facebook I realize its been a couple days since I last updated my status. Weird. I used to be on facebook ALL the freakin time. Now its like I'm never on.
Its not that I mind. I'm actually sort of enjoying always having something to do. I think I will even get used to the early mornings. What I don't like it being without a vehicle. I hate the transit system. I got off school around 12:30 today, but didn't get home til 2:30 because of those terrible buses. All that precious time down the drain.
Now I've sacrificed a good hour to catching up on email and facebook, and I work at 5. I have homework to do, but my brain is all mushy, and I'm feeling rather peckish.
Tomorrow is going to be a crazy day. I'm not looking forward to it at all. In fact I wish it was Wednesday morning right now.
Well, this is it for my free time today.
I may not be on the blog again for a while. I shall miss you all very much.

Mystery Fruit

The question DID flit through my mind...for about a millisecond. Then I thought, "Hey, its cool, its different, its crisp, and it works well. I'll keep it."
Nevertheless, the mystery is unsolved, and the question haunts many who enter here.

WHAT KIND OF FRUIT IS ON MY BANNER?!
A red skin, yellow flesh, black seeds...

Is it a passionfruit? A papaya? a mango? A wax creation that really doesn't resemble anything that grows naturally on this earth?

If you know, please put our minds at ease and share your infinite wisdom.

Also, credit where credit is due. I found the photo at www.omsfoodphotography.com and I think their site is awesome. Please don't sue me.

In the Kitchen: Day 1

Getting up at 6AM is not my favorite thing in the world. Its even worse in the winter, when its dark and COLD. Luckily for me its still September and even though August weather decided to head south early this year, its pretty mild outside in the morning, when I stumble to the car.
My dear sweet generous father got up early today as well to drive me to school...what a guy. what a guy.
Since it was our first day actually working in the kitchen most of us were there early to get changed into our whites (soooo professional) and buy our caps. Unfortunately for those suckers poor, poor, unfortunate souls that were counting on their debit cards, the machine was down and only cash was acceptable. I was one of the few that walked away donning a sweet checkered pillbox cap. And by sweet I mean ridiculous.
I've been assigned to the "Vegetables & Starches" station, which works closely with Entrees. I was terrified of our instructor to begin with because he came across as so harsh and strict in the past week, but today was really good because I came to realize that he's very fair and he's not out to get us...he just wants us to use our brains and be safe & professional. He could be pretty sharp with some of the Second Level students, but it was because he knew that they knew better, and it was never a personal attack.
I'll have to come up with a suitable pseudonym for him, as well as everyone else at school...its really easy for some people. There's a Second Level student that was put in charge of us for a part of the day, whose face and manner fairly screamed "Percy Weasley". And one of the instructors is definitely Ned Schneebly.
Anyway, today my group (4 of us altogether) learned different techniques for cutting carrots (batonnet), zuchinni (large dice), and cauliflower (florets), then we watched two L.II students create a stew, and then we blanched our veggies, had a break, then learned about risotto and pilaf rice dishes, and sauteed our veg to order when the cafeteria opened. It wasn't very busy so we were standing around a lot. I got to chat with the other people in my group, and we talked to our instructor (his PJ identity is yet to be decided) about random stuff...it was fun.
One scary thing happened though.
Just as we were finishing up the cafeteria stuff, one of the girls in my group that I've gotten to know a little bit looked a little droopy and said to me, "I think I need to get some water."
I have no idea where anything is, so I was like, "Sure I think we can get some over here." and started walking through a bunch of people. All of sudden her face went completely white and she was leaning on the table. I was like, "Oh crap, she looks terrible!" and basically grabbed her and pulled her past all these people and all of a sudden she just collapsed and I was like, "HELP!" and this guy beside me helped me put her down, and we're like "MR INSTRUCTOR GUY**! WE NEED YOU!"
She came to in a second and our instructor helped her on to a chair and I got her some water, and after a while she went home, but MAN....I was freaked out. I'm no good in emergencies or things like that. I just don't know what to do. I'm pretty useless.

Anyway that was my day...we got to eat a free lunch (cafeteria leftovers), and I got out at about 2 o'clock. I'm pretty tired now, but glad that everything went well and I think I will enjoy this course.

** We didn't actually call him that, ok? I've just got to think of another name for him. I won't call anyone from school by their real name...gotta protect the "innocent" and all that, right? :P
You guys that read this? You know who you are. You aren't innocent, and you will be named. Unless you can come up with a sweet PJ Identity. Then maybe I'll protect your anonymity.

My Ego Needs a Boost

I don't know how many of you have blogger accounts, but IF YOU DO....
there is a new feature which allows you to "follow" a blog. If you go to your dashboard and type in, say...for example....MY BLOG....and become a "follower", your picture will come up on my blog and I will know you read my blog and I will love you very, very much. And my self-esteem will go up, and then my grades will go up, and I will be a better student and succeed in life.
You will be able to sleep well at night knowing that this simple act of kindness has launched me into a better world.

I've already added a few of you that I read on a regular basis, oh and I'm just gonna put this out there-
even if I don't know you, or just don't know that you read my blog...I would still love to see your little face smiling back at me from my "followers" list. I'm just weird that way....

So now this post is over, and you can go and become my little follower...

Its Begins at Last...

Today was my last day sitting at a desk doing bookwork!
Well, sort of.
Since the course started last week, the class has been going through booklets about Health, Safety, Sanitation, Measurements, Conversions, Shipping, etc, etc...
We even watched some sweet videos on fire safety, made in the 70's and others made in the 80's. Some pretty classy acting in those things, let me tell you. Very impressive. The quality of the production reminded me of the Dharma Initiative tapes. Fun stuff.
Anyway, after much homework and stress I have at last completed the H-Line test, received my whites, and handed over the necessary forms, as well as laid the last of my life savings at the feet of the university.
Apparently that qualifies me to set foot in the kitchen.
Actually, we spent about 15-20 minutes in the kitchen today, learning "Knife Skills". I'm pretty much amazing now.
I can dice carrots and onions, and chop celery. Ya, pretty impressive, I know...

Tomorrow I start "Vegetables" with a few of my classmates, under the tutelage of the most intimidating instructor I have met so far. I am terrified.

I am very excited to get out of the classroom though! Even though it was great to get to know the other students (there are some seriously sweet people in my class! So thrilled to go through this with them!) and get myself back in to the 'school' routine, I want to improve in the practical ways, since the longer I am here the more I'm realizing how inexperienced I really am.

Since we took a test today and we start in the kitchen tomorrow, there is no homework tonight! A first! I'm pretty stoked about that because it means, 1. I can blog! 2. I can go help out at youth group tonight!

Unfortunately this freedom will be short-lived, as I will be getting up at 6Am regularly now, and working Friday nights and Saturday mornings, as well as an earlier weeknight shift. Brutal.

We had someone come into class today and explain about how there is a lot of bursary $ sitting around and telling us to apply for it. I'm hoping to apply and receive some for a car which would make my life so much easier!

So there you have it folks-- that is what my life is like.
I will attempt at putting up a blog at least once a week, but I'll have to see how busy/dead I am!

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.