Move it!

Well, all of our household goods have been packed up and trucked out of here and are on their way to Montana.  We're finishing up the last bit of cleaning here in the apartment and then Amy, my dad, Michael and I are roadtripping it outta this hood first thing Sunday morning! Cra-zy!! I can hardly believe it's already been 2 and a half months since I got here at the beginning of the summer! So much has happened and I've grown and changed in so many ways that I didn't even think possible. Of course there was the whole mission papers/receiving my mission call thing that was a big change and source of growth.  But the life changing experience that is fresh on my mind at the moment is not the mission prep stuff.  It is something that will live on for years to come as "That summer of waitressing when I was in college." 

Waitressing.  It has by far been the most challenging and draining thing I've ever set my mind to (physically, mentally, and sometimes even spiritually). I've spent two and a half months on my feet, serving customers for 40 hours a week, bending over backwards at times to make people's dining experience at my restaurant a good one. I've gained an incredible amount of respect for waiters and waitresses and I will never tip a server poorly again, even if they weren't the best.  Because I now understand that maybe they are having a hard day, or are new, or something went wrong in the kitchen that they couldn't possibly control, or a fellow server accidentally bumped into them and made them spill their tray of 3 cokes, 2 shirley temples, and 5 waters.  

I've spent hours memorizing drinks and menu items, learning how to garnish a mojito, what comes in the gumbo, when happy hour starts, and where the oysters are from.  I know the market prices for 6 different types of seafood and I'll probably be saying, "Our motto is no plates, no forks, no rules!" in my sleep for weeks.  My mind is chalk full of hundreds of shortcuts and tips for how to be a good waitress/make better tips.  Like just putting lemons on waters automatically, squatting next to tables to talk to people at face level instead of stooping over them like a hawk to hear them when they talk quietly, putting after dinner mints in the checkbook.  I know tons of useless server lingo (well useless anywhere else) like "86" or "burning the ice" or "12 top."  My fingertips have been singed to the point of no feeling so that I can carry dishes above 100 degrees in temperature without flinching.  I can bus a table faster than anyone around because I know that it means a faster turnover for a new table.  Overtime, what's that?  I'm now one of the most knowledgable-about-alcohol-non-drinkers in the history of like, ever.  In fact, I probably know more about alcohol than most people who drink and I've never even tasted the stuff! (Nor will I ever)  I understand more than ever before that being friendly, communicating effectively, and keeping people well informed goes a long way.  Like really.  You can pretty much say ANYTHING to someone and have them on your side as long as you are friendly and excited about what you are saying.  And even when something has gone wrong or someone is grumpy, people are a lot more understanding and flexible when you're nice.  The phrase "Kill them with kindness" has become my life mantra. 

Waitressing. Who woulda thought?  Nothing could have better prepared me for my mission than this summer job that I just happened to get randomly and was SO nervous about when I first started.  I've learned patience, perseverance, long-suffering, hard work, humility, and grown on so many levels.  It's been incredible.  I've truly come to love this job, and although I wouldn't dream of being a waitress forever, it is something I've come to enjoy and will miss. I've met some interesting people along the way too.  From coworkes who were heroine addicts, marijuana dealers and drunks, to coworkers who are fellow college students, part-time servers part-time dental assistants, or future airmen in the air force...I've had the opportunity to get to know and work alongside so many different kinds of people. And each and everyone has taught me something valuable and changed my life for the better, even if they didn't know it (or mean to). 

Yesterday was my last scheduled day of work at the restaurant.  Everyone was sooo sweeet and genuinely sad that I'm leaving.  Two of my coworkers even brought me gifts! 

Those sweet people! i"m gonna miss them!

A lobster necklace!! To remind me of Chasin' Tails! Best present ever.

Waitressing. It's been a long run! Super challenging, but super rewarding.  I've never felt more confident and less shy than right now, after my summer of serving. I won't miss smelling like crawfish, the feeling of exhaustion after 13 hours on my feet, or being yelled at by stressed out customers...but I'm so grateful for this experience and wouldn't trade it for the world.

Now, I'm headed out west...to the great open spaces of Montana, another new experience and place I've never been. I can't wait to see what adventures await me there as I prepare for my mission over the next couple of months! Life is so exciting!