I worked six days in a row, each a 7 1/2 - 8 hour shift. Last Thursday, I got my driver's license (woohoo!!) and my boss A had her baby (woohoo!!). Yesterday was my first day off in a week, and I was not feeling great at all. My stomach was not happy.
Yesterday I called into work because I didn't think I would be able to work the 6:30 - 2 shift. My stomach doesn't handle mornings well on good occaisions, and I could barely handle the afternoon shift on Sunday. Such a trusting little Christian I am, I anticipated being really sick (due to past patterns), and my parents are gone for all of today. I didn't want to be sick my second time driving alone!
I slept from midnight to 7:15, and then 8 to 10:30. I curled up in bed and went on my iPod for a while, and then went downstairs to prepare lunch. I made French baguettes and a French cake recipe (I Mairead-ified the instructions, but I think it'll be okay).
At 1, I took a fresh, hot baguette, sliced it, and put cheese, packaged deli meat, pickles, tomatoes, and butter on it. It was quite amazing, and I ate it while watching a Planet Earth episode on the deep sea. Then I made the frosting from scratch, no recipe, just adding great amounts of anything unhealthy I could find. Then I watched some more Planet Earth. Then I took a 45 minute nap. Then I made dinner.
Dinner...I am quite excited about. I've recently discovered that God has given me the ability to make something I want with no recipe. Sometimes I do internet searches (common ingredients, how long to cook potatoes, etc), but I like to feel as though I'm channeling Ratatouille. It's so much fun!
I made soup. I've seen my momma make soup a million times, but I didn't want to make something ordinary. I filled a large sauce pan with about 1/3 of gallon of Ice Mountain water (I loathe our tap water, it leaves my mouth dry and it gives me blisters after I shower). I poured in a fair amount of egg noodles, that softened faster than I wagered. I poured in a can of cream-of-chicken soup and added about 3 teaspoons of chicken base. I also chopped up some carrots and added diced tomatoes and numerous spices: dill weed, minced onion, a bay leaf, a little garlic, celery salt, parsley and basil. Then I chopped up four small potatoes and boiled them in another saucepan (hence the search for how long to boil potatoes) and added them.
I heated up a baguette and voila!!
Now I'm off to write about the things happening in Maple Haven.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Looking for a Storm
It's so windy right now, I hope a big storm is on it's way :-) That would be wonderful for my day off. Actually, I might ask for tomorrow off as well, because I am in an emotionally and physically undesirable state, some of which has to do with improper meals, being up at 3 in the morning loading Apple updates on my iPod, and constantly finding myself at work.
My mom and my boss, S, agree that I should sit down sometimes during my shift. I try to wolf down a panini inbetween customers and cleaning, and try so hard to stay ahead that I come home in a zombie-like state of mind.
Instead of Braaiiinss it's more often than not Piiiizzaaaa.
Part of my post-work state has led me to realize that my hard-working characters cannot come home after a day of grueling, and think Wow, I can't wait to tackle tomorrow. At least, not day after day. In fact, since I entered the work force, I like to believe that God has given me numerous circumstances to guide me in my writing.
For example: A person cannot have a large event happen in their lives, and not come out scarred, stronger, or both. If you're writing a scene about a weird person, they can't just be weird. There is a reason, and as a writer, it's up to you to figure out why they act as they do and what the philsophy is behind their actions.
Okay, enough psychology for today. Two paragraphs isn't a lot, but the bathroom downstairs just opened up. Woohoo!
My mom and my boss, S, agree that I should sit down sometimes during my shift. I try to wolf down a panini inbetween customers and cleaning, and try so hard to stay ahead that I come home in a zombie-like state of mind.
Instead of Braaiiinss it's more often than not Piiiizzaaaa.
Part of my post-work state has led me to realize that my hard-working characters cannot come home after a day of grueling, and think Wow, I can't wait to tackle tomorrow. At least, not day after day. In fact, since I entered the work force, I like to believe that God has given me numerous circumstances to guide me in my writing.
For example: A person cannot have a large event happen in their lives, and not come out scarred, stronger, or both. If you're writing a scene about a weird person, they can't just be weird. There is a reason, and as a writer, it's up to you to figure out why they act as they do and what the philsophy is behind their actions.
Okay, enough psychology for today. Two paragraphs isn't a lot, but the bathroom downstairs just opened up. Woohoo!
Finding Time to Write
It can be a very hard thing, but I like to think that there's one point in your novel where you are dragged to the finish line. Chris Baty (NaNoWriMo.org) referred to it as a magnetic force.
It happens somewhere just past that icky 3/4 mark. But sometimes work and other issues get in the way of that magnetic force. However, writing isn't just the process of putting your fingers to a keyboard, and at slow parts at work, I often imagine my characters in different circumstances. What would they do? How would they react?
In that brainstorming process, sometimes the craziest, most perfect scenarios come to mind, and that night I'm putting them to paper. (Or Microsoft Word)
When I was 5, I used to call it playing with my imaginary friends. Now, I call it plotting. Besides, Detective Booth and Marla are so much more agreeable than some of my customers...more to tell!
It happens somewhere just past that icky 3/4 mark. But sometimes work and other issues get in the way of that magnetic force. However, writing isn't just the process of putting your fingers to a keyboard, and at slow parts at work, I often imagine my characters in different circumstances. What would they do? How would they react?
In that brainstorming process, sometimes the craziest, most perfect scenarios come to mind, and that night I'm putting them to paper. (Or Microsoft Word)
When I was 5, I used to call it playing with my imaginary friends. Now, I call it plotting. Besides, Detective Booth and Marla are so much more agreeable than some of my customers...more to tell!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
DL, streamers & steamers
At 9 o'clock this morning, I was scheduled to take my driver's license test. I did not have to take a written test, and after all the paper work (I felt very much like Detective Booth) the instructor gathered his infamous clipboard and requested that we start.
I expected the stereotypical DMV worker (grumpy, cynical, boring, kind of like me haha) but this man was nice and even looked like Santa Clause. No, really. He did. When he got in the car, I mentioned that I was warned of DMV worker's tricks. (Driver's Ed is mostly scare tactics)
"I've been doing driver's tests for 26 years," the instructor sad. "If I had any sadistic ideas, they were just after I began. No, I'm not going to trick you. If I wanted to, I could, and you'd fall for them because I would have had a long to perfect them. Just remember this: If I tell you to turn the wrong way on a one-way street, you'll be headed into oncoming traffic. But guess who will also be headed into oncoming traffic?"
The entire test was about 15 minutes long. It went very quickly, and as soon as I started the ignition, I wasn't scared or nervous at all. Since this town is either packed or deserted on certain streets, I was asked to pull up next to a red jeep.
"Are you going to have me do a parallel park?" I asked.
"Yes," the instructor said. "But I was hoping you wouldn't figure that out so quickly."
It was just behind the jeep, instead of in between two cars. But I did it perfectly. Thank you so much to my dad, who spent many nerve-wracking moments with me as he tried to teach me the manuveurs. With that, and with the grace and mercy of God, I completed the task quite well.
Needless to say, I passed.
*insert huge grin here*
I am now on a probationary license for 9 months, which will pass quickly, I am sure. Now I can go to Target whenever I want...MAHAHA.
To speak of another 9 months...
On our way back, I stopped at work to get muffins to share and an iced latte for my dad. My boss, S, was there. He looked so tired. Poor man. He informed me that his wife was in labor all of yesterday late-afternoon and evening. As soon as he got back from his second job, she told him to catch up on some sleep, while he could. Around midnight, they were off to the hospital.
At 5:30 this morning, baby T was born! He's a little guy (17 inches, 7 pounds) and I can't wait to meet him!
Meanwhile, S opened shop at 7:45 and was scheduled to work until closing (a whole 12 hours later). I told him I would come in at 1, so he could spend time with the baby. After he left, I posted a sign on the wall, put up blue streamers, and set a few pieces of cardstock on the counter for people to sign.
Some people thought I was crazy. I guess they haven't had the experience of having bosses who are kind and gracious (something I am certain I will miss, after we move!).
I also got to hold a 4-month-old baby today. She weighed nothing, and I sort of cuddled her against my left shoulder. She saw her momma and burst into this huge toothless grin. And then her head fell onto my shoulder, because she was so excited. How cute!!
I expected the stereotypical DMV worker (grumpy, cynical, boring, kind of like me haha) but this man was nice and even looked like Santa Clause. No, really. He did. When he got in the car, I mentioned that I was warned of DMV worker's tricks. (Driver's Ed is mostly scare tactics)
"I've been doing driver's tests for 26 years," the instructor sad. "If I had any sadistic ideas, they were just after I began. No, I'm not going to trick you. If I wanted to, I could, and you'd fall for them because I would have had a long to perfect them. Just remember this: If I tell you to turn the wrong way on a one-way street, you'll be headed into oncoming traffic. But guess who will also be headed into oncoming traffic?"
The entire test was about 15 minutes long. It went very quickly, and as soon as I started the ignition, I wasn't scared or nervous at all. Since this town is either packed or deserted on certain streets, I was asked to pull up next to a red jeep.
"Are you going to have me do a parallel park?" I asked.
"Yes," the instructor said. "But I was hoping you wouldn't figure that out so quickly."
It was just behind the jeep, instead of in between two cars. But I did it perfectly. Thank you so much to my dad, who spent many nerve-wracking moments with me as he tried to teach me the manuveurs. With that, and with the grace and mercy of God, I completed the task quite well.
Needless to say, I passed.
*insert huge grin here*
I am now on a probationary license for 9 months, which will pass quickly, I am sure. Now I can go to Target whenever I want...MAHAHA.
To speak of another 9 months...
On our way back, I stopped at work to get muffins to share and an iced latte for my dad. My boss, S, was there. He looked so tired. Poor man. He informed me that his wife was in labor all of yesterday late-afternoon and evening. As soon as he got back from his second job, she told him to catch up on some sleep, while he could. Around midnight, they were off to the hospital.
At 5:30 this morning, baby T was born! He's a little guy (17 inches, 7 pounds) and I can't wait to meet him!
Meanwhile, S opened shop at 7:45 and was scheduled to work until closing (a whole 12 hours later). I told him I would come in at 1, so he could spend time with the baby. After he left, I posted a sign on the wall, put up blue streamers, and set a few pieces of cardstock on the counter for people to sign.
Some people thought I was crazy. I guess they haven't had the experience of having bosses who are kind and gracious (something I am certain I will miss, after we move!).
I also got to hold a 4-month-old baby today. She weighed nothing, and I sort of cuddled her against my left shoulder. She saw her momma and burst into this huge toothless grin. And then her head fell onto my shoulder, because she was so excited. How cute!!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tips, trips and candlesticks
SO doesn't rhyme, but I most certainly have a customer story that is worth posting.
A lady came in the shop today at 12:15. She ordered a veggie sandwich, which is microwaved, assembled, coated with olive oil and set on the panini grill for a good 5 minutes. She asked me how long it would take, and I saw that my co-worker (and employer) was getting ready to ship out a few sandwiches. So I told her 10 minutes.
"Okay, I'm going outside, but I'll be back," the customer told me.
Meanwhile, I handled a drink order or two, and wrote in more sandwich orders. A man wanted to get a BLT and a bagel with lox sandwich, for him and his son. My boss finished his projects and made the sandwiches for the man, neither of which take very long to prep. The BLT and bagel/lox do not have to be grilled, but (at most) toasted.
I delivered the sandwiches to the man and his son, and go on to take the order of the next customer in line. She would like an iced coffee.
Just then, the first customer (who ordered the veggie sandwich) came in the door and saw the man and his son with their lunch. She pushed right up next to my current customer and, while the customer is talking to me, begins to talk.
"Where is my sandwich?" she asked, in a seemingly anguished tone, like I had attempted to steal her purse. "You told me it would take 10 minutes, and it's been 15. I'm going to be late for work."
She said this while the other customer and I were talking.
"Just one minute, please. I'm with another customer," I said.
The woman continued to make noises, so the iced coffee lady shook her head and told me to help the veggie sandwich woman.
"I want my money back," the woman was loud, and rude. "I'm now late for work."
"I'm sorry, ma'am," I replied. "It's on the grill right now--you can see it. It's done, my boss just needs to package it up for you and you'll be on your way."
"I don't want it, I want my money back!" the woman cried. "You told me it would only take 10 minutes. That man ordered after me and got his food before me!"
"Ma'am, some foods take longer to prepare than others," I explained. "You can see my boss is working hard. The veggie sandwich has to be grilled, and takes longer."
She continued to fight with me, demand her money back and tell me that she was officially "late for work." I turned to my boss and inquired his input on the situation.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
The woman explained it all in half a breath.
"Ma'am, you heard her explain everything, and we're not going to explain it again," my boss replied emphatically. "You have no right to talk to my employees that way."
"I want my money back."
"Okay, fine."
He opened up the register and took out the proper amount of change. The sandwich was packaged and ready to go, sitting on a nearby counter. For one sick minute, I thought he had given it to her with her money back, but he hadn't (for which I was excessively releived). After he handed her the money, she made one more demanding inference:
"I gave her a one dollar tip."
My boss made an irritated noise, reached into my (our) tip bucket and gave her a dollar bill, which he later refunded from his own stash of tips.
The woman took the money and flew out the door.
Lesson of the day: If you are going to order the most complicated item on the menu, at lunch hour--expect delays. Not a smart move when you have a 15 minute lunch break.
:)
A lady came in the shop today at 12:15. She ordered a veggie sandwich, which is microwaved, assembled, coated with olive oil and set on the panini grill for a good 5 minutes. She asked me how long it would take, and I saw that my co-worker (and employer) was getting ready to ship out a few sandwiches. So I told her 10 minutes.
"Okay, I'm going outside, but I'll be back," the customer told me.
Meanwhile, I handled a drink order or two, and wrote in more sandwich orders. A man wanted to get a BLT and a bagel with lox sandwich, for him and his son. My boss finished his projects and made the sandwiches for the man, neither of which take very long to prep. The BLT and bagel/lox do not have to be grilled, but (at most) toasted.
I delivered the sandwiches to the man and his son, and go on to take the order of the next customer in line. She would like an iced coffee.
Just then, the first customer (who ordered the veggie sandwich) came in the door and saw the man and his son with their lunch. She pushed right up next to my current customer and, while the customer is talking to me, begins to talk.
"Where is my sandwich?" she asked, in a seemingly anguished tone, like I had attempted to steal her purse. "You told me it would take 10 minutes, and it's been 15. I'm going to be late for work."
She said this while the other customer and I were talking.
"Just one minute, please. I'm with another customer," I said.
The woman continued to make noises, so the iced coffee lady shook her head and told me to help the veggie sandwich woman.
"I want my money back," the woman was loud, and rude. "I'm now late for work."
"I'm sorry, ma'am," I replied. "It's on the grill right now--you can see it. It's done, my boss just needs to package it up for you and you'll be on your way."
"I don't want it, I want my money back!" the woman cried. "You told me it would only take 10 minutes. That man ordered after me and got his food before me!"
"Ma'am, some foods take longer to prepare than others," I explained. "You can see my boss is working hard. The veggie sandwich has to be grilled, and takes longer."
She continued to fight with me, demand her money back and tell me that she was officially "late for work." I turned to my boss and inquired his input on the situation.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
The woman explained it all in half a breath.
"Ma'am, you heard her explain everything, and we're not going to explain it again," my boss replied emphatically. "You have no right to talk to my employees that way."
"I want my money back."
"Okay, fine."
He opened up the register and took out the proper amount of change. The sandwich was packaged and ready to go, sitting on a nearby counter. For one sick minute, I thought he had given it to her with her money back, but he hadn't (for which I was excessively releived). After he handed her the money, she made one more demanding inference:
"I gave her a one dollar tip."
My boss made an irritated noise, reached into my (our) tip bucket and gave her a dollar bill, which he later refunded from his own stash of tips.
The woman took the money and flew out the door.
Lesson of the day: If you are going to order the most complicated item on the menu, at lunch hour--expect delays. Not a smart move when you have a 15 minute lunch break.
:)
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Moth - Live Storytelling Performances
I found The Moth Podcasts on iTunes a few months ago, and they are great for long road trips. I no longer am in a seat that is slowly trying to eat me, but I find myself on a hot, sandy island off the coast of Africa, or in a gray prison.
For a writer, it is important to listen to stories, especially told directly (or almost directly) from the mouths of others. It not only developes jargon, or the manner in which a person speaks, but also perspective. Who knows? It may even help strengthen your characters.
The stories are anywhere from 10-20 minutes long, but the time passes much quicker. Some are hilarious, others nostalgic. Why don't you find out for yourself?
Click here to go to TheMoth.org
For a writer, it is important to listen to stories, especially told directly (or almost directly) from the mouths of others. It not only developes jargon, or the manner in which a person speaks, but also perspective. Who knows? It may even help strengthen your characters.
The stories are anywhere from 10-20 minutes long, but the time passes much quicker. Some are hilarious, others nostalgic. Why don't you find out for yourself?
Click here to go to TheMoth.org
Monday, June 22, 2009
Awesomeness in its purest form
New blog, new look, new vibe :)
As some of you may know, I was a little fed up with my Wordpress blog because I couldn't edit it very much. The look was theirs. The widgets were theirs. I wanted to make it my own.
And now, with my book on the horizon, I thought perhaps I should dedicate a blog more for writing than my own ramblings. But don't think you're getting out of my ramblings that easily.
However, I wish to share more customer stories. They are excellent writing prompts, and I take no credit. God is the writer for those.
As some of you may know, I was a little fed up with my Wordpress blog because I couldn't edit it very much. The look was theirs. The widgets were theirs. I wanted to make it my own.
And now, with my book on the horizon, I thought perhaps I should dedicate a blog more for writing than my own ramblings. But don't think you're getting out of my ramblings that easily.
However, I wish to share more customer stories. They are excellent writing prompts, and I take no credit. God is the writer for those.
Awesome site
Today is my first day off since the middle of last week, and I decided to spend it by listening to podcasts and designing my book cover. Which is done. I’ve finished it. It’s when I lose hope and decide not to invest all my energy in a project that I find something really cool pop up on the screen.
Only by God’s grace…
Anyway, here’s a cool site I thought was worth posting about: http://www.bookcoverarchive.com/
It’s chocolate for designers.
Only by God’s grace…
Anyway, here’s a cool site I thought was worth posting about: http://www.bookcoverarchive.com/
It’s chocolate for designers.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
It’s Official: I’m Crazy
The day started at 5:25, exactly ten minutes before my alarm.
I got dressed in leisure, washed my face, applied makeup, and hopped in the car. Dad drove me to work. By the ripe ol’ hour of 6:30, I began my earliest day of work ever. No one was at the shop, so I let myself in. My boss arrived shortly after and we talked for a while. There are a lot of coffee craving people out between the hours of 7 and 8 o’clock.
One family had lunch at 10 o’clock. I don’t even eat breakfast until noon on most occasions, much less wake up before 10 o’clock.
My IBS wasn’t too good today, but I’ve learned to pray, and keep moving. Nothing happens. I never faint, or throw up, no matter how much I want to sometimes. However, at noon, my boss returned just for the beginning of the lunch rush. Rush is a major understatement. He let me “take 5″ and I hung out in the bathroom for a little while. I took a deep breath or two and updated my Twitter.
Lunch rush was mostly over by 1:30, but I was able to eat my first meal before then. My favorite is a grilled panini sandwich with deli-sliced ham, provolone cheese, presto sauce, and spinach. So good.
I have many, many, many customer stories to tell, but I’m too exhausted. However, I was confronted by a woman. Let me just tell you that this is the first time I’ve been in a coffee shop and they handed me cream cheese packets instead of spreading it on themselves. You would have thought I kicked a puppy or something.
2 o’clock, I punched out. Mom met me at a nearby shop and we looked at cute baby clothes (for no one in particular), and went to my favorite African store where I bought another ring. It’s brown and made out of a nut. Pretty cool, huh?
Then, we went to my bank and closed my account. That took about 30 minutes. We went to another bank, and opened checking and savings account for me, and that took at least an hour.
After that, we headed back into town, and back into the coffee shop. I made a half-caf iced mocha with whip for my mom, and a mostly-caf iced vanilla latte with whip for myself. We shared a frozen brownie and it was very good.
By the time we got home, we were both on caffeine buzzes, and mine just ended (some five hours later). My brother and Dad got back from a bike ride and I decided Hey, my brother likes to help me rearrange my room and I need to spend time with him, so let’s rearrange my room!
There was much giggling, and laughing, and I now have my hutch on my dresser again. It hasn’t been like that since the move (August 2007), so I am very happy. As soon as the big wooden piece of furniture landed on the dresser, my brother (holding up one end) burst into a fit of giggles. It was great :- )
Then I decided I should rearrange my entire room to make a better sleeping and writing environment. The two are interchangable by the way.
By 9 o’clock, the caffeine buzz wore off, and I had one heck of a messy room. It’s better now, but I’m looking forward to some shut eye by 10:30.
It’s 9:45 right now.
How many hours have I been awake? I’d never make it as a cop, haha. But I can't go on duty---I’m tiiiiiireeeeedddd.
Peace out, all. I have another long day ahead of me tomorrow: I work 1-7, but might come in early for the lunch rush. Better tips, and I feel so bad leaving just one person to deal with all those viscious, teeth-gnashers and wolves that we call customers @_____@ Haha, it really wasn’t all that bad. My IBS was the worst, but I’m still here. Part of my thumb isn’t…I took off about 1/2 a centimeter while cutting tomatoes last night….That got me to wake up!
I got dressed in leisure, washed my face, applied makeup, and hopped in the car. Dad drove me to work. By the ripe ol’ hour of 6:30, I began my earliest day of work ever. No one was at the shop, so I let myself in. My boss arrived shortly after and we talked for a while. There are a lot of coffee craving people out between the hours of 7 and 8 o’clock.
One family had lunch at 10 o’clock. I don’t even eat breakfast until noon on most occasions, much less wake up before 10 o’clock.
My IBS wasn’t too good today, but I’ve learned to pray, and keep moving. Nothing happens. I never faint, or throw up, no matter how much I want to sometimes. However, at noon, my boss returned just for the beginning of the lunch rush. Rush is a major understatement. He let me “take 5″ and I hung out in the bathroom for a little while. I took a deep breath or two and updated my Twitter.
Lunch rush was mostly over by 1:30, but I was able to eat my first meal before then. My favorite is a grilled panini sandwich with deli-sliced ham, provolone cheese, presto sauce, and spinach. So good.
I have many, many, many customer stories to tell, but I’m too exhausted. However, I was confronted by a woman. Let me just tell you that this is the first time I’ve been in a coffee shop and they handed me cream cheese packets instead of spreading it on themselves. You would have thought I kicked a puppy or something.
2 o’clock, I punched out. Mom met me at a nearby shop and we looked at cute baby clothes (for no one in particular), and went to my favorite African store where I bought another ring. It’s brown and made out of a nut. Pretty cool, huh?
Then, we went to my bank and closed my account. That took about 30 minutes. We went to another bank, and opened checking and savings account for me, and that took at least an hour.
After that, we headed back into town, and back into the coffee shop. I made a half-caf iced mocha with whip for my mom, and a mostly-caf iced vanilla latte with whip for myself. We shared a frozen brownie and it was very good.
By the time we got home, we were both on caffeine buzzes, and mine just ended (some five hours later). My brother and Dad got back from a bike ride and I decided Hey, my brother likes to help me rearrange my room and I need to spend time with him, so let’s rearrange my room!
There was much giggling, and laughing, and I now have my hutch on my dresser again. It hasn’t been like that since the move (August 2007), so I am very happy. As soon as the big wooden piece of furniture landed on the dresser, my brother (holding up one end) burst into a fit of giggles. It was great :- )
Then I decided I should rearrange my entire room to make a better sleeping and writing environment. The two are interchangable by the way.
By 9 o’clock, the caffeine buzz wore off, and I had one heck of a messy room. It’s better now, but I’m looking forward to some shut eye by 10:30.
It’s 9:45 right now.
How many hours have I been awake? I’d never make it as a cop, haha. But I can't go on duty---I’m tiiiiiireeeeedddd.
Peace out, all. I have another long day ahead of me tomorrow: I work 1-7, but might come in early for the lunch rush. Better tips, and I feel so bad leaving just one person to deal with all those viscious, teeth-gnashers and wolves that we call customers @_____@ Haha, it really wasn’t all that bad. My IBS was the worst, but I’m still here. Part of my thumb isn’t…I took off about 1/2 a centimeter while cutting tomatoes last night….That got me to wake up!
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