The week just breezed by so quickly since I've been off work lately. It felt like just a few days ago since I've written my last entry but surprisingly when I finally looked at the dates its been 8 days. I know its not suppose to be a chore but it somewhat gives me a sense of time or a timeline for myself. I initially was suppose to work last weekend but as predicted- I got laid off by workplace2 earlier last week because "they can no longer afford to keep me". Yup, be as understaffed as possible to maximize profit while making your servers do 4 different jobs right? They've been spewing nothing but bullshit since the moment I started working there. That place is the definition of nepotism. They still owe me my paycheck with my base pay. If they were to screw someone over, I'd be first on the chopping block just for being the outsider. I knew that place was somewhat shady and unprofessional so I know this was coming eventually, especially with me not being a friend or family like most of the staff. When it did happen- it was really out of the blue. I'm not torn up about it or anything, but that was a temporary cut of income.

Labels: bored, breaking everything, co-workers, concerts, job, schedule, school, work

Labels: fucked up, job, mentality, music, relationships, resolutions, schedule, school

Wednesdays always seem to go by way too fast. I'm never as productive as I should be with my day off. The beginning of the week at workplace1 has been yet another bad week. Honestly, most of my shifts at workplace1 has been made up of mostly shitty nights over the rare occasional good ones. I'm not just talking about the pay. It's the people that's starting to get to me. One thing I've been noticing is every Tuesday even if I'm a minute late, I always get the same shitty section when its chosen by "lottery". Obviously not, because it just so happens that if I'm actually on time I pick out a better section to work on. Whenever I'm not there when they split the floor, I always get shafted since the other two servers have more seniority and I'm not there to witness anything so there's nothing I can really say or do.

That aside, the chefs are really starting to get on my nerves. I can't really communicate well with them mostly because of the language barrier but at least read the fucking ticket when I put an order into the POS. I had a customer I recognize from a few weeks ago come back and I was his server again since it was after 9pm. The guy is a bitch. Yes, a man-bitch. Along with his two snobby kids. Its like pulling teeth trying to stay civil and polite to them when they naturally act like its their god given right to treat you like shit because you're waiting on them. I seriously cannot stand serving them but the worst part is, after making ten different modifications to all the sushi or dishes they order, the chef disregards all the modifications and makes it as it is. The food comes out wrong and I get all the shit for it from both ends. Remember, I don't make your fucking food- I just bring it to you. Then I have to send it back multiple times and the chef would throw a fit and bitch at me for it. It's not my problem you can't fucking read a simple ticket. The sushi chef this time actually threw a tantrum and threw the entire platter into the trash while muttering loudly.

Here I was starting to feel guilty and pondering what I'm going to do when I need to quit but they're actually making my decision easier by the week. One of my co-workers actually came up to me earlier during the beginning of my shift and asked why I'm so quiet and that I should socialize more. I don't like to say more than I have to; I don't like starting bullshit conversations about the weather with someone I work with a couple hours a week for the hell of it. It's not like I ignore anyone who talks to me or I'm nasty to anyone. I can converse fine if someone wants to strike up a conversation and I'll be friendly too unless they give me a reason to be otherwise. I'm just usually not the type to go up to someone I barely know during work and talk about frivolous things. I don't feel the need to be or act like I'm BFFs with anyone and everyone.

I'm standing in my section and POS station which happens to be by the window. I tend to daze out or just people watch from the windows a lot, even at home or at places I hang out at. It was a slow night and I was blankly staring through the glass. One of the guy co-workers comes up to me, most of the conversation went like this from what I recall-

CW: Hey, are you bored?
Me: No, why? whats up?
CW: Why are you alone here?
Me: Cause I got this section again but I like people watching, kinda why I always like window seats.
CW: Ah, you don't get bored?
Me: Not really
CW: Why don't you talk to people?
Me: What do you mean? I do talk to people, I'm talking to you right now aren't I?
CW: Yeah but that's because I always approach you first.
Me: That's just how I am, I don't go up to everyone or say more than I have to but I talk to you guys all the time if you're talking to me.
CW: Shouldn't you be talking to <another girl co-worker> more or something?
Me: Whys that?
CW: Well, don't you guys have girly shit to talk about or something?
Me: Not really, plus she doesn't talk to me so I don't really bother her. This is work anyway.
CW: You're weird
Me: Why is that weird? I'm pretty simple. I mind my own business and keep to myself, but I'm still friendly to whoever that talks to me. It's just less complicated that way.
CW: I guess it makes you come off as snobby or unapproachable to people.
Me: I see, so people are talking huh?
CW: No, I'm just making sure you're okay working here.

It was clearly not the case, hes a terrible liar. He just walked away awkwardly after that.

I can't say I'm surprise. People will always gossip whether its at work, at school, in life, online, or just about anywhere that brings multiple people together. Even if you're doing absolutely nothing, that's something to gossip about. It kind of makes me think about gossip in general. Like just recently it just came to my attention that a small group of people I use to talk to were spreading rumors that I slept with someone or was fucking around. Well, most of them were more like acquaintances and maybe some were friends. My initial reaction was "What the fuck? Who the hell is spewing this bullshit?", Then I realized I really can't be arsed to find out in detail because whoever part of it probably isn't anyone that's worth my time- whether they're friends, strangers or acquaintances they'll just simply become nothing to me. I wasn't sure if I should laugh and pity them for having nothing better to do than gossip over someone who has absolutely nothing to do with their life or group anymore. Or if I should be mad there's false rumors going around me that's not exactly flattering especially for a women. It just goes to show people's true character when it comes to gossip. Hating someone can be very tiring and burdensome. Do I hate whoever that started the rumor or is part of it? No, I nothing them. Hate is actually a level above nothing since it actually requires energy and mentality to hate someone. Just steer clear of the wrong kinds of people and be careful about who I surround myself with or who I confide in. That's all.

It all goes back to my resolution to prioritize, whether its what I need to do in life to what I preoccupy my time and energy towards. There are more important things that warrants my attention so I really shouldn't give half a shit about petty people who gets a kick out of gossiping. Enough of drama and disaster. I'll get pissed about it later when I have time. Right now, I'll just focus on my life and getting it back in order.


Months ago some events happened that lead me to feeling like shit about myself physically. It's not that the insecurities wasn't always there, its just different when you get slapped in the face with it. There was nothing I can do about my height since it's just the hand I was dealt but weight and size I can change. I started dieting and watching what I ate obsessively. Along with trying to start an exercise routine and all that jazz. The exercise part didn't last too long, especially after I started working 2 jobs but I figured my jobs is as physically demanding as it would be if I worked out for a hour or two at home since I'm always on my feet running around and carrying things. I'm always late or low on times so I usually squeeze in a small meal before work and that'd be my meal of the day. I don't even feel the hunger anymore or maybe I've just grown accustomed to it. This obsession slowly transitioned into a lifestyle that fits perfectly with my schedule. After some months of this obsession and inferior feeling, I lost a good amount of weight. And here's the kicker- I don't feel any different or better. Some family and friends noticed the change on me losing weight, some didn't. I'm not quite sure if there actually is any difference. A close friend of mines asked me one night as we were walking down the dark streets in Williamsburg if I felt any different or better after losing so much weight. It really made me think. I felt the same it's still the same flaws. It's hard to feel pretty or confident when all you can feel is the ugliness inside out. I know one of my resolutions was to not be the way I am like this but saying things and actually being able to do it is very different. I don't the know the answer or solution to it.


I need to stop putting things off like registering for classes and just getting my foot back in the whole schooling system. I took way too much time off to work on and off while self destructing. Also, I need to just stop saying I'll do it, just another day and get the fuck into the DMV. I hate those places with passion but I need to get a proper ID. Whipping out my passport was amusing for a while but it gets old and inconvenient especially since I get ID'd all the time. Apparently I look like I'm 17, FML. Plus, I tend to lose everything it's bound to happen sooner or later. To be honest I'm surprise I haven't lost it yet, must be some kind of record. Losing my passport would not end well for me. I don't know how I manage to lose most of the things I do... well I guess that's what makes it losing something but some of the stuff is just or should be nearly impossible to lose. Like just recently, I was raging over a box of envelopes. I had a ton of important paperwork I needed to return in the mail and somehow I manage to lose a giant box of envelopes I had on my desk I was just using recently. How does something like that go out of site? Did I take my ambien and throw it out the fucking window? No I didn't, It just happens. I need to organize things more...

Aside from needing a proper ID, I want to start driving before the semester starts since I'll be taking classes in Brooklyn so it'll be way more convenient than taking the bus. Seriously the MTA is always delayed now and I hate buses. I mean I'm probably a bit safer than I was before wandering around at night myself with the pepper spray and all, but still. Its tiring. Plus driving myself would enable me to run away spontaneously more often. Escape to the beach for some air or something in the middle of the night. I love long drives at night- just me, the city lights and music. I want to feel infinite. I think its the first step to just finding myself a change of environment somehow, no matter how small the distance.


I recently ordered another 10 bottles of the Jasmine body spray and other products in that scent while I was shopping for my usual necessities like shampoo and whatnot. Yes, I actually do 99% of all my shopping online. I really do avoid buying anything in person. I've been using this for probably about or over a decade now. I'm a bit worried they'll discontinue it so I've been contemplating stocking up on it but ended up with only 10 bottles for now. My wallet is crying and still recovering from Christmas shopping. Well, fuck it I hate that wallet anyway. I'm kind of imagining myself playing the worlds smallest violin while I tell the story of how I lost my opportunity at buying the only wallet I've ever really liked because my conscience is a bitch, again. I usually just throw cash in my bag anyway and it's like a black hole in there. I can never find anything...so I end up just carrying a credit card instead. I skip topics too much. Fucking bipolar or something. Anyway- It's always been my favorite scent and I think I'm so used to it by now, I don't really smell it myself anymore. I never realized until my best friend in High School pointed out that I always smell like Jasmines and a hint of cigarettes (sometimes). Its weird that the same fragrance can smell different on different people. Oh yeah, so were was I going with this- I recently recall why I'm so attached to this certain scent of Jasmine or why its so calming and nostalgic to me. Somehow I vaguely recall when I was a toddler still living with my grandma overseas. She had a Jasmine tree in her backyard. I use to love picking up the ones that fell off and collect them. The whole yard and the wind would smell of Jasmine.

Labels: childhood, co-workers, gossip, jasmine, job, resolutions, schedule, school, self-esteem, work

So it's been over 2 months since I started writing in this thing. Trying to keep up becomes very difficult. I don't know how people manage to blog daily, it would feel like a chore and start to become a burden. I realize that most of my day, I just go through the motions and thoughts are constantly flying with no purpose, meaning or resolution. That may be why at the end of the day when I try to round up my day or week, it becomes extremely difficult- not because I have a lot going on but its just the same old story of disjointed thoughts that gets lost somewhere along the way. I feel like I'm trying to put together a piece of paper I ripped into a thousand pieces.

Charlie Brown: I think I’m afraid to be happy.
Lucy: How can you be afraid to be happy?
Charlie Brown: Because whenever you get too happy, something bad always happens.
- Peanuts

Labels: co-workers, friends, gifts, hanging out, holidays, job, work

This week has been nothing but bad luck one day after another. Working through Christmas was actually not as bad as I expected. Maybe because it kept me occupied so I didn't have as much time to sulk around myself. Also, my manager was rather pleasant Christmas weekend. Maybe it's just a temporary thing since I was working on a holiday. I expected work to be mostly slow and empty since people usually spend Christmas Eve or day dining with the family. I was wrong. It was packed on Saturday night and Sunday night. People also seem to be more generous during the holidays. Oddly, the same angry old man who I served some week or two ago came back with his wife Christmas eve, he wasn't angry at the tea or every little thing this time. I think he might be senile, but at least this time he didn't remember to be a complete ass to me.

Labels: bad days, friends, gifts, job, miserable, momo, work

Trying to recollect myself after yesterday since I couldn't think straight after one of our many arguments. I can't seem to find time to go out Christmas shopping, I probably wouldn't be very successful if I tried anyway. Too many things on display, too many places; I wouldn't know where to start. I'd probably just get really overwhelmed and frustrated by merchandise all over the place and leave. This is why I do all my shopping online. I've been trying to organize my list and what I want to get for the few people who matter in my life. I'm just hoping everything comes on time. Well, it wouldn't change anything either way because I think the thoughts and gesture of the gift is more significant than the time its received on. My Christmas presents will turn into Unbirthday presents. So far my pay from the past couple weeks of work is almost completely void but its something I want to do. I think things are totaling up to around $700, I'll pretend my first paycheck is next month instead. No, I wasn't splurging on things for myself. The only thing I would have bought myself with the excuse that its Christmas is the super frilly fruity baby pink girly Samantha Thavasa wallet that I was convinced is my soul mate (wallet wise?). Pity I missed my chance (Fuck you conscience) and now they're completely obsolete. So there goes my love at first sight, its time to move the fuck on. This month isn't for me.

Yesterday I got a last minute email from workplace2 telling me I work  Thursday and Friday this week. Thursday as in that same day the email was sent. Oh, and the email was sent 3 hours before my scheduled shift was suppose to start. Obviously I didn't get to the email until later into the night when I got home, so I didn't show up for work that day. I already told the manager the week before when we were putting in our availability and schedule plans that I wouldn't be available this Thursday. Not only does she completely disregard that, she only gave me 2 shifts this week. On the other hand, who sends out an email telling their employee they need to be at work that day 3 hours before the shift starts? Sorry, I'm not fancy and I don't have the whole phone internet email shit. A phone call or text message would have been the smarter bet on urgent matters. I don't utilize my phone enough either way. It should be standard protocol to give at least a days notice when it comes to scheduling and appointments. I'm not on beck and call, I don't pay attention to my phone constantly and I'm not camping my email all hours of the day. This women drives me crazy. The only reason shes the manager is because her daddy opened the business. She can't manage anything besides nitpicking on trivial things, crumbling under pressure and lashing out on employees. It's so unprofessional.

Tonight was nothing eventful, it was slow for a Friday night but the manager changed her mind and decided she needs me the entire weekend instead of just 2 weekdays she originally planned so I guess I'll be working the entire weekend as well this week. Its a bit odd that there are already "regular" customers who remember my name after 1 week. Some guy came in today who was part of a group last week and asked for me. "Do you remember me?" I didn't, but I just winged it somehow. Then it came back to me- he was the guy who I had to keep refilling his soda for- he is a cola addict. Then he insisted on giving me a fist bump before he left for the night. I'm a bit awkward about gestures like that. Reminds me of the time I was at the billiards place with a group of friends and one of my friends suddenly got excited and was like "up here" or something like that. I just stared at her awkwardly and said "what the fuck when did we ever do those?" I'm not gangster/ghetto enough. (lol sorry A if you're reading this I'll work on my super swagger handshake fist bumps just for you next time instead of staring at you like a martian)

I had a short chat with a couple of a co-workers that are in similar positions to me later into the night. The restaurant is mostly family runned, but I didn't think it would be this unprofessional. Yeah, they have their 2nd generation cousins, cousin of cousins, friends, brothers, lovers, pets, uncles, you name it working there. Most of the employees are either old friends or somewhere in the family tree. Only one other server, the bartenders and I are outsiders. We're the only staff in the place who discovered and landed the job on our own but it seems to be a disadvantage. So if anything were to go down, we would probably be the first to be screwed over.

I was reassured I'm not the only one who feels like I'm doing 5 different jobs under the title of 1 job. Also, because of the lazy incompetent manager who insist on closing sales for the day first then splitting our tips, most of the time we have to pick up our tips our next shift but things don't seem to add up. Tips are usually handled between servers, not held by the manager overnight with the leeway to do whatever they want such as allocating a percentage of it to certain staff members who played no role in serving itself. A lot of things can be modified overnight after all. They're tipping various "helpers" and the bartender off the server tips. It's suspicious and of course, we're not family. The pay isn't terrible but it isn't that fucking awesome that I'd put up with this system long term. Don't get me wrong, I'm more than happy to pay for the support I receive during my shift. At workplace1 where its not a pool system on tips, I tip out my busser generously based on my total sales of the night like most places do, not the percentage of my tips because tips are always fluctuating, so its really up to your luck of getting good customers.

This restaurant looks great decoratively, but the servers are really the ones who are carrying the weight to keep things going. This place is crossing the line of how much side work you can expect out of a server. I thought I was hired to waitress, not to be the runner, busser, food presentation person and definitely not a janitor. I understand there are side jobs but I get off late overtime every night because they make most of the servers do all the closing and cleaning everyday. I'm pretty sure they aren't considering us staying after the standard closing time overtime pay either. Things like that are no longer side jobs, its a whole other job itself.

The female bartender and another server both who are in their 40s were already talking about leaving or quitting before the end of the year. It turns out the female bartender and the oldest server are both on unemployment and this job isn't worthy enough to lose unemployment over. The female bartender is probably quitting in a couple of weeks and the other server has "new plans" for the new years. I think the only reason I'm staying is for the experience to build up my resume before I move on to a more well established place. Its just a stepping stone since most places refuse to train or hire anyone without experience despite all the other qualifying factors. Its just a blind rule. Well, in the name of Alexander the Bear- I'll bear with it, for now. I should probably start updating my resume soon...

Labels: christmas, friends, job, sleazy management, work

It's almost been a week since I've written. First discovery- I don't have enough stamina in me to blog by the end of my night shifts. In fact, I'm practically brain dead by the end of the night. It's not that the work itself requires a lot of brain power, it's just the fact that I'm mentally drained trying to stay composed, tolerate people and my managers. Then there is the physically tiring work, running back and forth for hours on end. No sitting at all, even if you currently don't have a table to watch over and the night is coming to an end. It makes no sense at all to me, if I'm almost done with the night, all my tables are settled, customers happily left and side work done, why shouldn't I be allowed to sit? I guess it doesn't look good or professional, but its plain bullshit. Whoever came up with the idea of that should be shot.

So in fact, it does take a lot of mentality and willpower to tell your body to just shut the fuck up, ignore the foot pain and keep going, you're getting paid for this. After my shift I usually get home between 12-1:30am. For workplace2 the closing time is suppose to be 11:30pm, but there's always that last table that can't seem to catch the clue that we're fucking closing and so stop taking your sweet ass time. We can't start closing and cleaning the dining room until every customer is out, even if they are in another far off section.

Closing itself usually takes another hour because of all the side work and cleaning. Workplace2 tip pools so at the end of the night, we usually have to wait for the manager (the owner's daughter) to settle the sales of the day, cash all credit card tips and then split it along with the cash tips. What really baffles me is why she couldn't start doing that a few hours ahead of time while shes busy playing on her laptop. No, lets wait until last minute after all the employees clean and have everything in place to start calculating at a glacial pace. The female manager has no sense of decency to at least try to be considerate of the overworked servers as she make us wait after our shift ends. Especially since most of us are ready to just collapse somewhere. The kitchen staff and all the chefs leave way before us since they don't have to do closing work. We usually spend at least half a hour just waiting for her to split our tips of the night. In some cases, some of us just say fuck it and go home then pick it up the next shift we work.

Sunday night was a nightmare compared to the other nights in terms of waiting for the incompetent manager to settle the sales of the day, I initially wanted to wait after my shift to get my tips of the night since I won't be working at this location until the next Friday, so it's not like other days where I'll be able to pick up my pay the following day. The managers ended up arguing for about 2 hours after we closed about why the cash register was 30 dollars short because the owner took out money earlier and they couldn't identify where the shortage was from in sales. Seriously, bickering for 2 hours over thirty fucking dollars. Apparently they can't just split the tips until that was resolved. My tolerance and patience was way over it's limit that night. I just got up and left, I'll pick it up next week. I just wasted 2 hours after my shift ended waiting for nothing, because it was just another one of those nights where they sport their incompetence.

Still, I am getting decent pay for workplace2 but that's mostly due to the fact that we're understaffed and there are only 2-3 actual servers while the rest are in "training". I'm basically doing the runner, server and busser's job myself. Then of course there are the managers who crumble under pressure and start screaming at us over things that aren't part of our responsibilities. There are usually 2-3 managers at workplace2 and they cannot communicate how they want the place to operate. I usually get assigned the booth section so it gets really busy because everyone prefer booth seating and it's by the bar. I was swamped with tables so the guy manager helps me host a table on my section and eventually assign another server to that table in attempt to help take some workload off me, even though it was my section. As the night went on, our sections got mixed up because I was then assigned to watch over half of my co-worker's section along with mines. The female manager comes along and proceeds to yell at me about staying on top of what the customer needs and the tables.

Me: That's not my table though
FM: It's in your section
Me: Yeah, I was swamped so [guy manager] assigned it to [co-worker]
FM: Oh... well next time just manage your own section
Me: Okay, but [guy manager] assigned me these few tables in [co-worker]'s section along with my section. So our sections are kind of mixed up right now. You're both telling and assigning us different things and making our job more difficult.
FM: ...Ok I'll go talk with him

They're boyfriend/girlfriend by the way. The guy manager is very chill but the female manager, shes OK when she doesn't talk. When she does, she just comes off as an anal bitch.

FM: What are you doing? You need to decorate the desserts.
Me: I wasn't aware of that, is there a guideline for that or something?
FM: Just decorate it.

Then she walks out. Great, now I'm a fucking dessert artist as well along with being the runner, busser and waitress. It's hectic because I spend most of my time running between the kitchen and stations to check if the food is out, preparing dessert presentations while taking orders, refills, entering everything into the POS and whatever else the table needs or wants. Then I get yelled at for being in the kitchen too much and not checking the FOH enough, I am checking the dining room but I have to constantly run back to the kitchen. How else am I suppose to know when the fucking food is out? You don't have a runner and the chefs are slow. The owner's wife comes in and ask why am I taking on so many tables if I can't handle it. It's because you're understaffed and I'm doing the job of people you're suppose to hire as part of the kitchen staff. Oh, and the people in training who are suppose to help me, they magically disappear when the night starts to get busy.

Granted it's a new restaurant I didn't expect much but in return, the managers shouldn't expect the servers to be superman and fill in for all the people they haven't hired. Also, because it's a new restaurant, we have to tip out the bartender 30% because there aren't enough alcohol sales for him to be tipped solely on that itself. Does that make sense? The bartender plays no part in serving the food or dealing with the customers nor are they breaking their backs running around but they get a percentage of the servers' entire tip pool instead because they don't have enough alcoholic sales yet? Why is that our fucking problem, the management should be compensating the bartender themselves. Then the people in training get 20%, and then the rest is split between the servers. Even between all that, the pay is good but we're busting our asses for it every night. So that was Thursday - Sunday in a nutshell for me. I don't think this will work out long term at all if the managers don't get their act together.

I'm usually so bummed out by the time I get home I can barely muster up the willpower to shower and whatnot, much less try to write. It would come out as total nonsense anyway. Well, more nonsense than my usual nonsense. I tend to go into my 'I'm tired, pissed, irritated, frustrated and pretty much in PMS state without the period, so leave me the fuck alone and don't annoy me' phase by the end of the night.

Most of my co-workers at workplace2 are all around the same age, with the exception of the bartenders who are in their 30s. The kitchen staff are mostly older as well but all the servers and sushi chefs are in a close age range. During one of our late night chats as we wait for the female manager to split the tip, we were talking about school and majors, somehow the topic of gaming came up and they all seemed to be shocked that I'm actually a gamer (or was). One of my co-workers were trying to convince me to go back to some old games I've played. Turns out, two of the servers and the guy manager are all gamers. We were talking about some games I've played and it was a bit amusing watching them get more shocked as I name games I played or liked, cause in person people usually don't expect me to be into games or still be tomboy in many aspects. The guy manager just laughed and joked "Oh snap, Donna's a nerd!"

The FOH staff are mostly very approachable and decent people. At least on the surface they are, so they'll remain good in my books until they give me a reason to think otherwise. (Lesson learned on 2 sided assholes.) The sushi chefs (3 guys) are coming off as pervs to me or something. They're constantly hitting on me when we're not busy or when I ask them for something. One of the days they sent one person from their group to ask for my number while they giggled. What is this? middle school all over again? Then there were the times they invited me to go out with them after work for fun or have a drink. I just told them I'm dead by the end of the shift and I get off really late- so probably not, but maybe another time or day when we're early or actually close early for once. Mostly just to be polite. There are 2 bartenders and the guy bartender keeps telling me to smile randomly when I stand over my tables.

GB: Smile more!
Me: I do, when I'm talking to customers. If I stood here with a smile on my face I'd just look retarded and creepy instead. You can't force a smile for no reason while you're not dealing with things that should include smiling!
GB: Okay, but you look pissed off.
Me: That's my face's natural expression -_-  I'm not actually pissed off, I'm just...nothing.

So I guess when I'm expressionless and just going about doing what I have to do, I naturally look like a bitch. So that was my killer first week, I'm hoping the upcoming week won't be as hectic.

I think working with people can sometimes both be amusing and enjoyable. Yes, this is really coming from me. Don't get me wrong, sometimes people are assholes and trying to be polite to them is like pulling teeth. There was a night where there was a party of 16 going on in restaurant and unfortunately I was assigned the section right across from the party. It was really loud and the customers were really irritated but I managed except for this one particular old man who was especially angry.

Me: Sir, can I start you off with anything to drink while we prepare your appetizers?
OM: Tea
(I ran in to prepare the tea but the boiler was out of hot water)
Me: I'm sorry sir, the boiler just ran out of water and we're trying to get more hot water in right now. Would you like anything else to drink or water meanwhile?
OM: I DON'T WANT A DAMN THING TO DRINK
Me: Okay, I'm sorry for the inconvenience. I'll be back with your tea as soon as possible.
(I come back with the freshly brewed tea)
Me: Here's the tea sir, I'm sorry for the wait.
OM: This crap taste like water!
Me: Sir, we freshly brew the tea as customers order it, you have to let it sit/brew for a bit. Would you like water or anything to drink while the tea sits?
OM: No, what do I look like to you? Why do you keep offering me water geez.
(Some time later)
OM: I've had better tea when I was a jail prisoner, What kind of tea is this crap?
Me: It's green tea sir. (what the fuck am I suppose to say to that? I'm sorry the tea angers you?)

Okay, the guy is a war veteran, hes old, hes angry, life sucks, your sense and body is beginning to disappoint you. I understand but seriously, what the fuck? I'm usually very compassionate towards seniors because my first job when I was 14 years old was as an assistant social worker in a senior center. I imagine it must be difficult just to live and miserable for the most part so I usually try to go the extra mile for them. I really tried but this old man was just impossible to work with. I think his brain is checking out on him, please do yourself a favor and stay home; don't dine out and make a jackass out of yourself.

Then there was this couple who loves drinking in the same section I was assigned that night. The husband must have had about 6 glasses of Merlot and the wife had 2 bottles of Junmai Ginjo-shu along with specialty rolls and sashimi. They were a very pleasant sociable couple but by the end of the night they were almost too social. The couple was really drunk and the wife kept complementing me, "Oh you're such a pretty girl!", "I adore you". In response, trying to be polite I thanked them and said they're a very compatible couple just like one of those picture perfect couples. That did it. The wife got up "Awwww I want to hug you!" pulled my arm and bear hugged me in front of the entire staff and dining room. Then she proceeds to feel my arm (I have my sleeves rolled up for work) going on about how smooth it is and insist her husband feels my arm too. And he did. It was just awkward and everyone was watching. I don't know if I should have been more embarrassed or confused. Then she grabs the head manager (owner's wife) and tells her "I love the food and service here and I love this girl!!!" The owner just smiled and humored them.They're nice people and were very generous tippers though so I forgive them for the... awkward harassment. Even though it goes to tip pooling, hah.

At first the couple spent most of the night asking me about my ethnicity because apparently I don't look entirely Asian, then they spent the rest of the times I came to serve or check up on them guessing which parent of mines must be white or what mix am I. This seems to be a popular topic of discussion with most of my customers since I've started. "You look mix", "You don't really look (entirely) Asian", "What ethnicity are you?" and it goes on. Even most of my co-workers and staff members of both workplace1 and 2 make remarks about it or ask me eventually. It's a bit confusing to me since I don't really see it or think I look different.

I also work Monday-Wednesday at workplace1 as another part time job. The pay isn't as great but it isn't as fast pace at workplace2 since it's weekday nights, especially it being the beginning of the week. Nights are generally slow and boring but unlike workplace2, they have a full staff, so I have a runner and busser making my work a bit easier. I have to tip off my support staff from what I make at the end of the night. I honestly don't think this job is a keeper since I'm getting graveyard shifts but since I'm not in class anyway, I may as well pick up the extra shifts. There's not much stress involved with this job nor is it as hectic. I can consider this job as extra pocket money for the time being.

Tuesday night I had a very old lady seated alone in my section in workplace1. Seniors tend to have small appetites in most cases. The lady ordered a soup and appetizer. She couldn't even get halfway through the appetizer. I felt so bad for her, she looked so fragile and weathered. Her hands were shaking violently as she tried to drink the soup. I would have fed her if I was allowed. I was worried about how she would manage with drinking the hot tea so I got her a straw for the tea and just kept checking up on her to see if she was okay. When she was ready to leave, I wrapped up her appetizer for her and helped her out of her chair, put her coat on her and wished her a good night. She gave me a hug and said I'm the sweetest waitress. Seniors like this, the extra miles are always worth it. Damn you angry old man from before.

Tuesday night just dragged on and then another interesting couple comes in and sits in my section. The wife had a heavy accent she was from the Slovak Republic or something and the husband was American. At first the wife called me over while I was passing by to ask if I was a dancer because I have a good body and look like a dancer, and the usual if I'm mixed thing. I just told her I use to run cross country and that she's giving me too much credit or being polite. (In my head: wtf? I'm a short stub. I wish I had a tall slim dancer body.) The husband started asking me about my age, date of birth, horoscope and zodiac. Apparently he use to do fortune readings as a hobby and side job. So he started having long chats with me as I come to check up on them or pass by the section. I've never done fortune readings in my life. I was basically getting a free one on the job. He mentioned that I should be intuitive about the people around me and follow my intuitions about who is genuine and who has a hidden agenda. He goes on to mentioning that I have good long term memory but I'm not mindful with my short term memory. (lol, correct) That I should be mindful about my stomach because that is my weak body part that is prone to illness. (which is actually spot on) He goes on to telling me somethings general about my horoscope and that most millionaires live under the same sign and other interesting fun facts. He spent the entire evening talking to me while eating 1 entree while his wife munched on appetizers that comes on the house. His bill only came out to be around 12, but he tipped 80%.

It was getting late in the night and of course, the usual customers who comes in before closing always has to come. The guy was a regular and knew one of the other servers very well. My co-worker called me over to chat and teased that the guy customer thought I was 17 and to tell him how old I really am. The guy's attitude changed entirely after that, which was a bit odd. We ended up closing a bit late because of this couple but at least they were considerate to pack their food to go after their drinks and eating for a while. They were generous as well. It was just me and the busboy left to do the closing since my shift is suppose to be 5pm-10:30pm. I did most of the side work and by the time we finish sweeping, the busboy just told me to get home safe earlier and he'll do the rest (mopping, closing up). Hes actually only a couple years older than me and way nicer than the other busser.

Well, today was my only day off and it's 4:30am. I ramble on too much about trivial things. Time to knock out, early busy day ahead tomorrow. Too tired to proof read at the moment, so grammar nazis: fuck off.

Labels: job, tired, waitressing, work