That is where I was...

I had an experience while on vacation that was manager worthy.

Long story short the BOH (back of house/kitchen) was having a good old time...a good old LOUD time. 

I am ok with a good old time as long as they are handling their business.

What I peeped...while in manager mode.

Manager mode:  a mode I get in when I scope out my surroundings in a restaurant...my husband calls me out on this to reign me in...it is automatic for me...it happens in other settings too.

It looks like a blank stare, but I am really just taking it all in.

Any who...the food was taking a long time, the cooks were making fun of my crying child (where I could hear), and a table that was sat after us was fed and paid out before we had our food.

The managers were in a meeting of sorts.  

The redeeming factors were this...the food was AMAZING, the server was really sweet, and the lead server took care of us once the issue was brought to her attention. 

We went back the next morning for breakfast and the lead server took great care of us again.

I left her my blog info because what I remembered of this blog was fun and happy and light.

On the way home I read my blog...it was a LONG ride so I had time to read quite a few posts.

There were a few posts where I brought it full circle to something positive and sounded like I actually enjoyed my job, but for the most part I sounded really bitter and miserable.

I promise I wasn't. 

I really did enjoy what I did.  I enjoyed the interactions...even the crazy ones.

Don't get it twisted...there were things about my job that I didn't like...EX the hours, the hours, and hmmmmm the hours...but I thrive on social interactions.

I just sounded like...well lets be real...I seemed to be in a bitter place in my life.

Let me explain something that non restaurant folks won't get.  Restaurants can wear you down.  There is a reason for the high turnover.

I sounded like I was worn down and I am thankful for where I am now in my life.

I appreciate all of the experiences, people, and wisdom that I gained through all of my 11/12 years in restaurants.

I FAITHFULLY believe that everyone should have to spend some time in a restaurant in order to  be more well rounded. 

I would also like to point out that the positive interactions/experiences that I had in the restaurant FAR outweighed the negative ones...but lets face it...you don't need therapy after a good night...and writing was my therapy.

That is where I was...

I am thankful for where I am...