Inside the Server's Head

This is addressed to all who have dined out- at a restaurant, at a bar, at a club, at any place that serves food; yes, even the side walk hot dog stand... this goes out to you.


- A 5 dollar tip does not work on $40, $50, $60, or higher bills. We have to make a living off of your tips.
- Open your eyes. Is your server running around like a chicken with its' head cut off? Do not ask for a 4th refill of Diet Pepsi.
- Have kids? Unless you plan on tipping more, clean up after your rugrats.
- Your meat is under-cooked. Your server did not cook it. So do not get mad at them for it.
- The ghetto, booty music playing in the background is set at a standard level. Deal with it.
- Parties of 6 or more are hard to deal with. That's 6 different drinks, 6 different meals, refills, napkins, and silverware. Relax, and enjoy the company of your friends. The patience will be much appreciated.
- Everyone has feelings. Yesterday might have been a good one, but today might really, really suck. Use good judgement.
- Us 18 year-olds can't drink yet. Don't get frustrated when we can't tell you whats in a Fuzzy Naval.
- We can't remember everything. Just kindly remind us.
- Picky eater? Go eat at home.
- If you come in upset, angry, or frustrated, we can tell. No one likes to deal with someone like that so at least fake being happy like we have to.
- If you didn't serve as a young adult, understand this- we have 4-5 tables at a time, we get all the drinks, all the meals, deal with tricky computers, run back and forth between tables, sing birthday songs, help out other servers, clean tables, carry heavy items, and do special side work (such as restocking ice, cups, and dressings to rolling silverware to washing dishes) We deserve a FAIR tip.


Now, if your server really is terrible, i.e. spits in your food (never happens), yells at you, forgets about you for over 10 minutes, drops your soup in your wives' lap, smells like pot, alcohol, or other drugs, then by all means, consult a manager and get their butt fired. They don't deserve the job anyway.


I'll leave you with this last note- you don't know the work someone does until you have done it yourself.

Bloom

I've come to realize that we all make mistakes. Even the ones we say we will never commit. But they happen.

Good news for us- God forgives. God loves. God changes people.

I'm asking God to change me. I know I will never be the person I was 3 years ago, 1 year ago, or even 2 months ago. I'm always evolving into something else; hopefully, it's something for the better.

I'm taking these life lessons and using them for something good. Whether or not I'm ready, I'm making my way already.

For Friends

We always over look the fact that we have the best friends in the world.

I won't do it anymore.
I'm so lucky to have the people in my life that I do have.

Glancing through photos doesn't do them any justice. I see mainly smiling faces and a few goofy ones- the ones with their tongues out, teeth showing, noses crinkled, eyes squinting,making grotesque expression, with arms out in 'WHUZZUP!'.

Yeah, those are my friends.


And I love em'.

Nature's Course for Man

I saw two birds flying with each other the other day. Fast and simple, they knew which way the other was going to turn and followed in complete unionism. They were both white. Pure, in a sense.
They know their purpose- To be together. Birds mate for life, and no thoughts of cheating, lying, arguing, or breaking up ever crosses their bird minds. They have let nature completely take its course, and they have found the one.

The other day, one of my church mentors married her dream husband. They are both in their early 20s and she is only three years older than I am. She knows what she wants in life and is putting nature first, and staying true to one man.

Lucky couple, I know. And I'm so happy for them.
But why can't we all be like them? Why are kids these days so focused on finding the one, being with someone who isn't good for them, and changing natures course to be with that person?

I'm only trying to figure out what God has in store for me. And to tell you the truth, a guy might not ever come into my life and there is nothing wrong with that. Yes, I want kids. Badly. I love children. But I can't be so focused on finding a guy that I have no time to find myself.

I've hurt this past year. Too much over forcing relationships with guys who don't have all the qualities I want in them. I'm done with that. I can be happy with myself in knowing that as long as I have family, friends, a job, school, and other things going well for me, I don't need a guy to make me happy.

A Loose Thread

It's something about mountain biking, riding so fast your fingers rest on top of the brakes, ready to push down at any moment when you become too afraid. Too bad your mind won't let you because the ride won't be as fun. And no one wants to look like a wussy anyway.

Ears containing the voice of Kid Cudi, Third Eye Blind, and other summer theme's to keep me moving, music serving as the energy to my feet as I pump harder.

This is what makes me happy. I can choose to stop, turn, go faster, go slower. Each and every move is my own, and I'm playing the role of a human goddess. At any moment, I could crash into that pine tree, fly over the handlebars, and wake up in a hospital. Mom always said to wear my helmet.

Not only do I choose to go biking, something I really haven't done before, but I choose the path. I've always done what was expected, but not necessarily what I wanted. I did things normal kids did, like played hide and go seek, make booby traps, despise my greens, and when forced to eat them, put them in my mouth only to spit them back out into the napkin in my lap when my observant mother wasn't looking.
But now, at my tender age, I'm putting my foot down and making my own choices.
Responsibility is a growing up lesson, and a lesson I will fail, even past my time of raising kids, putting them through school, and even as I near the end of my time here. Mistakes are, after all, something we must all endure.

My first semester of college was full of them. Mistake after mistake. Mistake covered by another mistake. Mistake, mistake, mistake! But thanks to the friends and countless bands that pushed me through it, I won’t turn into a blubbering, depressed, 18 year-old zombie. What a life that would be.

So, Florida State University. I have some propositions for you.

First,
God (as You should be), I want to be a child under You. Before I do anything, I must consult with You. But more than that, I should trust You. You've blessed me so much, I can't thank You enough. If this is the school for me, I trust You will show me.

Secondly,
I want to be a bigger and better person. And that goes all the way around. From my grades to my own physical well being. It pays to make the grades, as I have learned.
All A's is my goal. Studying comes before going out.
On the subject of going out, I must have ample enough money to last me till the next shift at the Bee's, and I can't miss school because of being too tired. So, I must limit myself to going out 3 times a week, and on days where I don't have an early morning class or a test.
My attitude, though usually good, must not grow weary. Letting go, accepting people for their faults, and dealing with stress are all factors of my beginning attitude. Start happy, leave happy.
I hear people talk about their friends. I often hear about the few that they consider to be the sweetest, kindest friends they know. Yeah, I want that to be me. I gotta use my actions to speak for my character.
As a poor college kid, I must learn to be, well, poor. How else do you learn how to manage your money better? Saving needs to be a lifelong lesson that stays intact. I know I won't be able to work all the time, but I need to maintain at least three shifts a week.
This is where most of money is wasted- food. And not just any food, but food that isn't that great for me. Too much Fuzions, Applebee's, and late night fast food. I hear home cooking is rewarding. Maybe that's just because it's cheaper.
I bought a bike a week ago, and I love it. Now I need to make it worth the 150 dollars and keep using it. Not only should I bike frequently, but I should run, lift weights, and eat those home cooked meals to stay healthy and in shape.

I know that was a big one but
Lastly,
I want to be happy. Not just with my body, but as I am. Alone. I can't always be holding out for a guy to come sweep me off my feet. I won't be able to do all the things I want to do with a guy holding my kite to the ground. That study abroad trip to Spain? Yep, I better not be seeing someone. Making those A's? Yep, I better not be watching late night movies with a guy. Finding out my path in life? Yep, I better not be confined because of a boyfriend.
Sorry, gentlemen, but you ain't ready for me yet.


I am full of loose threads that are looking to be tied, woven, and braided into something new and fresh. Loose threads that will make me into the woman I want to be and will be someday. Until then, I’ll be waiting to be made into something.