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Sunday, September 25, 2011

New Job, New Dog, New Apartment: Times they are a changin'

Sonny on the left and Scooter, the stray, on the right
You may have to click on this picture to make it larger, but this person had their 4 sons chillin the back of their pick-up. You are in Alabama now, baby!

Olivia and I found a great new country breakfast joint
First Day at True
                                                 

Hey Everyone!
Yesterday was Day 2 of training at the new restaurant, and WHAT A DIFFERENCE! They are more fine dining geared then the last place, with a large wine list, and an intricate menu. We don't wear aprons, and dress in all black. Chef True was a James Baird Semi-Finalist, graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, and is always winning cooking competitions around the South.
Everyone at True has been super welcoming, and understood why I left Noja, and even said they were happy I stuck to my guns. I have a few semesters left of school before I graduate, so this is a job I can see getting me all the way to graduation. The servers make good money, and the managers are normal (what a concept!!).
Through out the first night, Chef True would literally cook me full on entrees, like garnished properly and everything, and say "Here I cooked this for you to try!". You can tell he has a passion for food, and everything was super tastey. At the end of last night, Bobbi came up to me and handed me $25 for helping her out with her tables, and even gave me two bottles of wine to take home and have. Both of which were beyond nice. Everything turns out for the best, and I love my new job.

As for the new dog, well, Olivia and I were walking the dogs one night, and Sonny took off. He started playing with this dog, and we quickly realized he had no owner. He was so scared he wouldn't let us catch him. Then finally we started putting dog food on the porch for him, and eventually Olivia trapped him in the house. He was in bad shape. He is was malnourished, covered in fleas, and dirty. We gave him some TLC. We gave him a flea-dip, bathed him, and took him to the vet to get neutered and shots. We were trying to just be foster parents, and just charge people for the cost of the neutering. However, he seems to always find his way back here. I posted an ad on Craiglist, and I got only 1 response. We gave him to one woman who saw my ad, and 3 hours later she called us and told us we had to come get him because he didn't get along with her dogs. He is getting along nicely, and I think he could end up being Sonny's brother.

Olivia, Dave, and I live in a 2 bedroom apartment as of right now. We went to a Resident Event, and ended up talking to our Property Manger. She told us she would let us move into a 3 bedroom, which is only 100 more a month, and no transfer fees in October. We said YES! We need the extra room. So October we are moving into a bigger place.

School is going good. I am entering mid-term time. So just overwhelmed with studying, but I haven't been skipping, and keeping good attendance in my classes. I even attended a Study-Better Seminar that taught different and effective ways to study, take notes, and time manage.

Some random fun, Olivia and I have been on the hunt for a great breakfast spot. We wanted just a hole in the wall place with great cheap breakfast. We found it!! It is called Bama Breakfast, super down-home country, and it has THE BEST biscuits and gravy we ever had. On our way to breakfast we saw a pickup truck that literally had their four little sons sitting on the bed of the truck cruising down a busy highway.  I took pics of the new breakfast location, and the 4 kids in the back of the truck.

I have been making friends here, and going out for drinks. People here are so nice, and I love it here!

Things are looking up!!





Wednesday, September 21, 2011

I got a new job! True-th always wins!

Picture of my new job ^

Hello Everyone!
Well, after the proverbial shit hit the fan at Noja on Saturday night, I wasted no time applying for jobs. Monday I got dressed, printed out resumes, and walked up and down the main drag of Downtown Mobile applying for jobs. I ended up getting hired at a place called Cafe 615, which is like an upscale bistro. I knew by the interview I wasn't going to make as much money as Noja, but a job is a job.
My sister and Dave encouraged me to write an e-mail to True, a restaurant of the same caliber of Noja. I was hesitant because I interviewed with them when I first moved out here, and turned them down. Eventually, a few weeks later, I started working at Noja. But I thought, what the hell do I have to lose? So I wrote an e-mail to True asking if they had a position available, and if they did, I'd love the opportunity to try for it again. I waited apprehensively, but I got an e-mail back saying they wanted to meet with me tomorrow at 3! So I just got back from meeting with her. I explained to her what happened at Noja, and that I just didn't like working for Chakli, and she said she understood. She offered me the job again. I start tomorrow night at 5pm! YES! Here is the website so you can check it out http://true.truedine.com/ The lady is so nice, and the restaurant is beautiful, and the servers make the same amount of money as Noja servers.
I have to tell you, even though I was proud of myself for sticking to my guns, it is ALWAYS stressful quitting a job, especially when you don't have another one lined up. I have been so anxiety ridden about the whole thing. I was worried I was not going to be able to find a job, or find a job just as good, or not get a second chance at True. I feel that when you stick up for what is right, the universe will take care of you. I am so thankful for being able to find another job! I am carrying a full load at school, and not having a job was stressing me out to no end, so I am relieved!!
Thanks for everyone's support!! I love you guys! I will keep everyone up to date on how the new job goes!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

I QUIT MOTHAFUCKA!-I'm not going to do what you all think I'm going to do, which is FLIP OUT!

"There is such a thing as manners. Flipper here has manners. Whose coming with me?!"
Well, I guess everyone is wondering what went down with me quitting my job. So here is the story...
I went to work yesterday, and we sat down for the pre-shift meeting, everything was normal. Afterwards, my manager/ owner of Noja, Chakli, told me he needed to speak to me outside on courtyard. So Chakli, Marvin (the other manager), and me all went out and sat down. Chakli started the conversation by saying that he knows that the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, but if something someone says infringes on someone else rights then there is a problem. I said OK. So he proceeds to tell me that I wrote a bad Yelp review about the bar across the street, and the owners are really upset about it. Chakli told me he wanted me to delete the Yelp, go over and apologize to the bar across the street for writing a bad Yelp, or he was going to have to "let me go". I told him that my Yelp profile doesn't say anything about me working for Noja, and that I have tons of reviews, some good, some bad, and my Yelp account is separate from my job. He was like Well, they recognized you, and they were really upset about it, and your name is on there with your picture. The conversation went back and forth, and he kept saying "So what are you going to do?" After running circles in the conversation, I replied "Ok, I'll take it down." Then he said OK, well I want you to take it down AND apologize. I just repeated OK, I'll take it down. Meaning, fuck off, I will delete it, but I am not saying I'm sorry. So, by the end, I knew that I needed to swallow my pride, and do what he asked, because I can't just quit my job. So I agreed finally to say Sorry. So I walked across the street, but the bar wasn't open. So I walked back into Noja, and said Chakli they are closed, and he was like OK just go over there later.
So I work my shift that night, completely mind-fucked. The night was winding down, and I was finishing up close out duties, when 6 people walk in, and they all gave me a dirty looks and took a seat at the bar. One of the servers was like "Hey, thats the owners from across the street". Yup. They literally came into my work, and cut me dirty looks to try and intimidate me. One of the owners had my Yelp account pulled up on his cellphone, and was showing it to Chakli, as they all cut me dirty looks.
My adrenaline was pumping, and I knew that I couldn't swallow shit. So I kept doing side work, and Chakli walked up to me and said those are the people from across the street, so go apologize. I looked at Chakli and my voice was low because my adrenaline was going so fast, I said I am sorry but I don't feel like I did anything wrong so- and he cut me off and said "What? I can't hear you..." Then my anger took over. Then I said clear as day "I have my freedom of speech, and I don't feel like I did anything wrong. So I am not going to apologize to them, so I am just going to quit." He looked kind of shocked but just said OK, and he was biting on his thumb nail. And that was it. I walked out.
YUP. I literally had my job threatened because of a Yelp review about another bar in the area. Welcome to Alabama. So a few things...
Number 1- I thought I would have regretted walking out last night when I woke up this morning. Quite the opposite. I am so proud that I stood up for what I believe in, no matter what, even at the expense of giving up my job.
Number 2- I have recently been watching a ton of documentaries about September 11, and I literally thought during my shift, Wow, I am not going to let anyone intimidate me into silence, or censor me, or give up my right as a US Citizen of free Speech, especially when I am bullied into it.
Number 3- I have come a long way. I usually am super non-confrontational, and I never defend myself. Today is a new day. I am not going to eat shit, and I will always speak up when I think people are trying to do me dirty.
Number 4- DEAD SERIOUS, When I was talking to Chakli the first time around, and when I was quitting I kept repeating over and over in my head, "What Would Olivia Do?", and it totally helped me channel my inner warrior spirit haha! Because Olivia wrote the book on confrontation, and she definitely doesn't take any shit. I swear to god, I tried to picture how Olivia would talk and act, and it helped me to be confrontational lol

So that is the low down. I welcome your comments/opinions/...and Yelps ahaha!

The job hunt begins...I'll keep you posted.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Baby, I'm sorry, Come Back. : I have been neglecting my blog-o-sphere


On my way into Noja to work my first shift

The stray dog we rescued
South in your mouth. BBQ Combo plate. Yum.

I haven't really been blogging. Between work, school, and daily life, I have been neglecting my blog. I am hoping to get back in the swing of things on here, and update regularly again.

As for school, So far so good. I was really overwhelmed at first because I just couldn't get back into the swing of things, but I am finally getting my homework knocked out. The campus is so huge that I really haven't done much exploring, or made any friends there yet. It feels good to FINALLY be at a University. I am so close to the end I can taste it.

I am a server at Noja, and not until very recently do I feel like I am finally getting into the rhythm of things. I felt for a while that I wasn't getting the swing of things, and I was just constantly having to ask questions and second guess myself. I was so stressed out about not knowing my way around, and the new order of things, that I literally started dreading going to work, and would countdown until I was able to go home. I don't feel that way anymore. I like my job, I make good money, and the people are great. I go out after work for beers downtown with my coworkers, and I am meeting people through hanging out downtown. One funny thing is that people in the South smile at each other for no reason. Sometimes I will be at work and someone else's table will smile at me, and at first I look at them puzzled like "Do I know you from somewhere?", then I realize that is just them simply being friendly, and I then smile back awkwardly. Haha Living in California makes you slightly callus and not as open, but being in the South makes you more warm and genuine with people.

I am still living with Olivia and Dave in our apartment in West Mobile. We haven't gotten into any major arguments, and we all get along for the most part. One night Olivia and I were walking the dogs, and Sonny took off. When I ran ahead to see where he went, he was chasing after a dog. When I went to grab Sonny, I looked for the other dogs owner, but quickly realized it was a stray dog. It wouldn't let us get anywhere near it, and it would run every time we even attempted to walk towards it. This went on for about 3 days, we would be walking the dogs, Sonny would chase the stray dog, and the stray dog would then run from us when we got close. So, I set out a bowl of dog food on our front porch, just so I knew this dog would at least get some food. Sure enough Olivia lured him into our apartment with food, and as soon as he knew he couldn't run, and we were not going to hurt it, it became the most gentle, loving, well-mannered dog ever. It had giant sores on his legs from where his previous owners had kept him in kennel for too long, covered in fleas, and had a huge tick on his face. Olivia and I were grossed out, but our dog lover side took over. We got him in a bath, flea dipped him twice, and put a flea color and medicine on him, then brushed him and gave him some pajamas. The apartment property owner told us he was probably dumped by his owner. I had never heard of this, but apparently it is common down here for dog owners to literally take their pets they don't want anymore and just dump them off in random fields or apartment complexes and take off. He was SUCH a good dog, he walked off leash and would follow us around (the same dog who ran from us just days before), and played with the other dogs, and never barked. We tried to rehome the dog, but couldn't find a place, so we had to give him to the Mobile Animal Shelter Friday. I started doing the ugly, Oprah cry when we left him there, and I have been crying every day since. I am scared they are going to euthanize him, and so now we are going to call Monday to see if they will let us foster him until he can get a new home.

Some of my favorite Southern phrases is "Well, bless your little heart" and "I'm really going to Hunker Down". Oh, and they say oil like "oh-wl" haha I have been loving the BBQ down here. We try a different BBQ place every week. However, my ass is gaining WEIGHT from all the comfort food. My resolution is to start exercising and watching the fried foods. It is so easy to eat badly down here cause the food is so great.

I haven't finished decorating my room or bathroom. I just haven't had the time. I have class Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and work every other day except Sundays. I seriously just sleep, eat, work, and go to school. Not too exciting.

As for dating...uh...what dating? No prospects. No news. Hopelessly, but very happily single. I am just focused on graduating as soon as possible with no distractions.

Well, until next time bloggers! Love and well wishing!