Life is...beautiful :)

Sorry, but I had to brag on my little cousin (the cool kid with the dark hair).

So…I got fired from the waitressing gig at the swanky restaurant. I train for two weeks, take the grueling menu test (taking a total of five hours), and make futile conversation with guests who have more money than intellect, and so I fully expect to begin swimming in Benjamins before the summer’s over. However, when I stop by to check the schedule, I get called into the owner’s office. He begins to explain to me how important the wine aspect is to the overall dining experience, and that he feels it would be dishonest to have a server who does not really know how the wines taste (he knows I don’t drink). The manager offers that professional wine tasters don’t really drink the wine; often they will swirl and spit. He would be fine if I did that…

…are you serious?

So as this is going on I’m not really listening to his full explanation, because I’m too busy talking myself through it, saying “Stefanie, don’t cry. You know this is not a big deal, please don’t cry,” but of course, my self does not obey – she never does – and I say, between tears, that I wouldn’t feel comfortable drinking – or spitting for that matter. So they say again that they hope I understand, and I nod to assure them that I do even though I don’t …fully, at least. I leave the restaurant a little hurt, a little confused, and with an overwhelming feeling that I have wasted two weeks that I could’ve spent training at another eatery…

So…how exactly is life beautiful, again?

Last week was final exam week, and I have still have pity for my week-ago self (because if I were to go back in time to last week, she would be studying and stressing and not understanding anything she had studied for that whole semester). It was the most difficult semester yet. Comparative Politics and Intro to International Relations was a big adjustment from Infant/Toddler development and Attachment Parenting. Eeek! The boys were much cuter though – pre-law boys are adorable…even if I never had the courage to tell certain ones that. But in the end I came out with the best GPA I’ve had since college began – 3.8 wooooo! – and my overall GPA bumped up to a 3.7. So, I think I’m kind of a big deal right now…or maybe I was just a bigger deal than 90% of the rest of my class and my professors just scaled the grades. Either way, I have a 3.7! And since my absence of classes leaves my schedule pretty much open, my days consist of lounging around at the pool, reading books FREE of citations and footnotes, and listening to the Rat Pack-like tunes of Michael Buble. Oh and by the way, if you have not experienced Michael Buble, you must. There’s this cheerful little melody called “Everything,” with a line that goes like this: And I can’t believe that I’m your man, and I get to kiss you, baby, just because I can. I love it! It just makes you want to love.

I also loved this sandwich – no keep reading I promise it’s not random and will make you smile! I’ve had this card for a free lunchbox at the Honeybaked Ham Company for a little over a year. So I decide it’s time to cash it in and get some good grub for lunch. But when I hand over the card, the guy says, “OK, well you get a sandwich, some chips, and a drink.”

LIES!!!!

I SO remember the brochure (that I already had thrown away, of course) showing the lunchbox with a sandwich, chips, a drink AND a homemade side and a freshly baked cookie. But I assume I’m mistaken and pick out this delicious little amalgamation of turkey, bacon, and cheddar cheese (REAL cheddar, not that fake sliced rubbish that my college-student budget permits) all melted together on a cibatta bun. While he sets off to the kitchen, I investigate their assorted pamphlets. A HA! I spy a description of the lunchbox – complete with a homemade side and a freshly baked cookie! OK, it’s not that I need a side of fattening potato salad or a partially hydrogenated oatmeal raisin, but I want what my card entitles me to. But, alas, I don’t say anything and take my sandwich to my car. And although my heart tells me to never deal with that dishonest or just plain menu-ignorant Honey-ham bakers ever again, my happy tummy tells me that I will…and this part of me will obey.

Oh, and yes I got another job! :) It’s at Desperado’s Steakhouse, and I think it’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. It’s oh-so laid-back, but it’s pretty pricey so you still make great tips. They actually have fewer waiters per night, so you have more tables and can make more than at my old restaurant. Side work at the end of the night is minimum, and the cooks are Mexican so I’m learning Spanish as I give them a hand with English. AND today as I stopped by the old restaurant to pick up my money for when I trained (I was expecting $20), they handed me a $100 bill. “I don’t think I made this much,” came out of my mouth. Stefanie! Why do you tempt fate with such verbage? :) But they explained that this is what he gives everyone who trains. So…I’m pretty happy right now.

Don't be suspicious...take it... :)

Life is beautiful…