I have settled into my new home and trying to find my footing with the new job as a waitress at Ma Mansion in Akaroa. It is quite the change from what I’m use to but I’m really enjoy it. I work for an upscale restaurant on the harbour.
My first day in Akaroa was so beautiful and was also the day of the staff x-mas bbq. My employers, Rod and Tash, are really warm and welcoming people. The bbq was awkward since I hadn’t really met anyone including my roommate until 10mins beforehand but after a few beers everyone warmed up. Of course the food was amazing and there was so much of it. I felt a bit like a pig since I hadn’t really eaten all day I had 3 servings.
The bbq was at one of the staff houses which is by a creek. During dinner we had guests, two eels came up the stream and the boys felt the need to try and catch and cook them. They were a bit drunk and thought that would make them cool. I was a bit annoyed because the eels weren’t doing anything and we had an overabundance of sausage and steak that we really didn’t need to catch and cook the eels. Luckily they are not really hunters and they failed in their attempts.
My first day of work was terrifying as I’ve never worked in a restaurant and especially a classy one. Ricky one of the duty mangers was great but my first day was crazy busy so no one was really able to take the time to properly show me anything. My second day was hell because Simon another duty manager was harsh with me and didn’t really talk to me most of the day. Then that evening Rod pulled me aside to say if I wasn’t up to speed when we opened back up after x-mas then they would have to let me go. I learnt that Simon doesn’t like me because I’m incompetent in his eyes but if I haven’t been given the tools to succeed what do you expect. Needless to say I went home had a few beers and cried.
I am living in the lodge below my employer’s home and it’s beautiful. Windows for walls in the living room and two of the bed rooms, giant deck space and surrounded by trees. It’s such a great place to live with one exception… my roommate. I live with this young German fellow by the name of Ben who is nice enough but dirty and he keeps hitting one me.
When I arrived the place smelt of sour milk because he left milk and blue cheese on the counter for days. I eventually threw it away because it was clear he wasn’t going to do anything about it or even noticed the smell. His hitting me at first was flattering and kind of funny because of his strong accent but now I’m just getting annoyed.
A new boy named Tim just moved in yesterday and he is a returning employee but will only be here for 2 weeks before heading off to Thailand. Even with two roommates it still feels like I live alone since both work 10hrs a day, every day. It’s an interesting place to live since none of us really eat much at home so our fridge is filled with beer. I sometimes wish I lived at the other staff house because that is the party place but then I would have to live with Simon who doesn’t like me and I wouldn’t get much rest.
Yesterday I decided that the best way to put Simon in his place is by proving him wrong and being awesome and I also don’t want to get fired. Luckily he wasn’t there so I got a chance to thrive, just do the job and learn as I went. I did really well and later at home Tim said I did well, he couldn’t tell that I had never been a waitress before. Maybe that was Simon’s intention to make me hate him to prove him wrong. The funny thing is I really liked Simon at the bbq. He’s this funny Scottish man and when he’s drunk I can’t understand him and I just think of Austin Powers.
I’m here for 3 months and at the moment I don’t feel like I will make any good friends and that this is going to be a quiet and lonely 3 months but at the end of it I will have some new skills, a tan and an ass of steel. (My house is up a hill)
Much Love
Sid
Hi Isidra!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you! New everything is always unsettling, doubting and disheartening if there isn't an instant connection in one of these facets of your life. I am sure unexpected friends will arise out of the forest, river, or somewhere else in the area. try and venture into social situations outside this sphere, or ask locals to take you to their favourite social place. upscale isn't always down-to-earth... so even if it is to just make enough money to venture to another place, do it! Get the skills that now you can take to another resto that is more relaxed fun... I'm thinking Maori Margarita's! There must be a fusion of these cultures somewhere there.
On another note, I had a dream about you two nights ago. You were living in an partitioned rooming house in a Chinese megacity. I came to visit, all the very thin boarding rooms were coloured like one was in a bubble tea room. you were going away and offered me your place to stay while I was there. that was very nice of you.
wishing you the best! still no snow in TO, so you know. oh and did I mention I was on breakfast television with my peanut brittle? yeah! got a nice spa gift certificate in Blue Mountain unexpectedly.