June 22, 2011

I am happy to report that I am sitting out back, in Oky's garden typing my blog. Today is the first day since I have been here that it has not rained. The breeze is so strong, I feel like I am on the ocean. It still seems weird that I don't have to be at work until 9:00 am (which is 11:00 in the states). I wake up with the sun, at 5:30 am but am able to catch a few more winks of sleep. Today was great at the restaurant! I learned how to make a few more dishes, and I chopped probably 50 bell peppers and red onions, in brunoise. The blister that had formed on my index finger burst today, so I stopped at the store to get bandaids.

We as human beings want to feel accepted and liked, but I have learned in my old age that that will not always happen, nor is it necessary. When I worked in the Production Plant, everyone seemed to have a nick name, "Donkey", "Pe-Pe", "Allegra". While I was studying for my first test, I think I mentioned that all the fellas in the plant were helping me to recall names of the product, in Spanish. I couldn't grasp Almeha (Clams), so Jose told me to remember it by saying "AlMehahahaha" (Like I was laughing). This morning I came in to work and all the fellas from the Plant started saying "Almehahahahaha". I asked if that was my nickname and they said "Si". Such an honor to fit in.

I have decided to start bringing a change of clothes to work, to change into, in the afternoon. Before, I was getting home and sweating buckets due to wearing my uniform home, and having to walk so far. Today after I finished work, I went up to the locker room, changed my clothes and started to leave. I heard my name called, and I stuck my head in the door of the kitchen. The three people I work with every day were standing at the Oyster bin, and they asked me to come have a celebratory Oyster with them. Louis shucked it for me, Vetty squeezed some lime on it, and Nachos handed it to me. We all said "Salute" and clicked oysters and down the hatch. Again, what an honor to be included and that I fit in.

Tonight, I felt like having comfort food for dinner so I am making Grilled Cheese (baugette, cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, Basil chiffonade, tomatoes and sprouts) along with Tomato Soup. YUM! You can't get more American than that!