Bringing y Back...

Dearly Beloved,

I am so sorry that it has been so long since I have posted anything. In the past 3 months I've been out in Irvine doing my management training. However, I am delighted to say that I am now at the tale end of my training.

In that 3 months, I worked in the kitchen for just under 2 months, one of the BIGGEST struggles of my life, where I learned that we are a 97% scratch kitchen! I worked on the line during that time as well, and boy talk about a fish out of water, before I worked on the line I couldn't even make Hamburger Helper without burning!

When that was complete, I move back into familiar territory, or so I thought.

1 day bussing.

2 days of food running.

6 days of serving.

6 days of bartending. (That was intense. Who knew there was so much to learn about beer, especially when we have 250 beers on tap!)

With 2 weeks, or 14 shifts, remaining, I am back in action and ready to post!

Stay tuned!

Love,

Me

Humility

I've have had an INCREDIBLY hard time this last week. To kick things off, I had a tough time working in the SAUCE station. I had 5 days to learn 62 recipes and I didn't meet that expectation. The first time that I took the test, I had to re-test. Then, when I re-tested, I had to re-test  AGAIN!

I was so frustrated! It was so hard for me to keep a positive spirit. Well, when I retook the sauce test, I finally passed and with a 100%.
 

Motiv8

I've been getting up so early in the morning (5 am) that I don't have time to go to the gym or a run before I go to work, therefore, I go when I get home. Well, yesterday, I was exhausted and had no energy to go to the gym but I thought, "Ana-Lisa don't forget why you are running!" So I jumped off the couch and away I went.

When I got there there were only 2 other people in there, this is one of my apartment gyms. One man was on the bike and the other lady was on the treadmill. The guy had his head phones in, for a GOOD reason. The lady on the treadmill was coughing up a storm! Every 5 minutes, I thought she was going to die. Yet instead of going home and being in bed resting, she was at the gym CONTAMINATING the air. Are you serious right now lady?!?! Go home!

Just as I thought she had finished, she moved machines, WITHOUT cleaning the treadmill that she had just sprayed spit all over by coughing! NASTY!!! She looked over at me and says, "I'm all finished with the remote, would you like to change the channel?" And while I appreciate the gesture, 2 things; I'm not there to watch RACHEL RAY and if you are going to offer me the remote at least go wipe it down with the courtesy wipes before handing if to me, especially after you've been coughing.

I was so annoyed with her up her lungs (I have yet to mention that my headphones died too!) that after 30 minutes of strength training and 15 minutes of running I went home.

Just Die Already!

As you know, Percy died a TRAGIC  and went to iPod heaven. Then just as I was about to bury him, a.k.a. throw him away, he came back to life!!! However, after only going for a week's worth of runs with me, things quickly took a turn for the worse and he died again!

So Percy, if you can ready this, just DIE already! A girl's heart can only take so much!!!

Everyday at work, we get to try a new item on the menu, for training purposes of course!!! Well, as I am only in my 2nd day of prep, I have quickly learned that there is so much cream, milk and cheese product that goes into things that we don't even realize. It's in just about everything!

Most of you know that I don't eat dairy products- I'm a soy/rice/coconut product kinda gal!

With that being said, I decided today that I was in the mood for a little "home cooking" and that I was going to try the Chicken Pot Pie. So, I went and read the recipe, there is only 1/2 cup of creme in a full recipe that yields 30 pot pies. I thought, "Spanish girl, there is NO WAY that you'll get sick from eating such a minuscule amount!" Well, this Spanish girl is STUPID! 

Needless to say, I have become great friends with "Lou" this evening!

All Tied Up!

Recently, I've had a hard time keeping my laces tied. I'm quite sure why; especially because I've had the same shoes for 4 months now.

With that in ming I hit up my favorite running magazine, www.runnersworld.com, to get some useful tips on how to tie a shoe lace. (Yes, I know---who doesn't know how to tie a shoe lace, but after this, I'm sure you'd be surprised!)

STEP 1:
You can tie the starting knot by passing the left lace over the right (shown at left), or by wrapping right over left. Either method can yield a balanced knot or a granny knot—it depends on what you do afterward.

STEP 2:
Next you make a loop with the right lace (shown at left) or the left. Either choice can yield a balanced knot or a granny knot—independent of which starting knot you made. It comes down to what you do next.

STEP 3:
 Then you circle the other lace around the loop you just made—either in front or in back of the loop. The right choice depends upon how you did steps 1 and 2. (In the knot shown at left, back is correct.) To see the proper last step that matches your technique, consult the chart at right.

For more info about trying your shoes, or perhaps you'd like a demonstration video. You can view the following article that I got my tips from: Runner's World- All Tied Up Article

Should've Listened

Last Saturday, I was scheduled to go on an 8 mile run. I did my usual routine- sunscreen, hat, water bottle and nourishment (sport beans). Usually, I have go to the restroom before I hit the pavement but I didn't have to go this time. 

This is the part in my story where I should have listened to my mama. She always says, "Be sure to go to the restroom before leaving the house!". It's like telling a 3 year old to go potty and them not listening, only I'm 24 now! (I guess some things never change)

Therefore, I hit the road! I was feeling good! I had my playlist and a great pace going. I was going to do my "best mile ever today". Things quickly took a turn for the worse. I was 3 miles into my run and then it hit me. I had to go to the "lou". 

I picked up the pace in hopes to find a restroom on the trail but there was none in sight. My mind immediately went racing, where was the nearest restroom? Then it hit me, it was approximately 3 miles away- at my house!

Flight or fight? 

Do I just hold it? Do I run home? Do I go back to the days when I went to Ethopia and dig a hole in the ground and squat?

The answer is, go home.

I began my run back to the house. Less than half a mile completed and I felt like everything was giggling around in me. "Oh, no!!!"

At that point, you clinch your butt cheeks and run- run like the wind! In instances like this I listen to the wise words of my grandmother, "quick, quick, quick!"

I made it home, just in time!