I am officially a server again! And it feels pretty good. I had my first solo shift last night.
A few of the things I appreciated:
The drive to work, where I cross a bridge and see water and boats. (Florida’s coast is lined with barrier islands. So unlike the Jersey shore, where you’re at the beach once you’re at the coast, in Florida, you need to cross a bridge to get to the barrier island and then get to the beach.)
My first table complimented my smile and my positivity.
Kindness. Everyone at my tables and on staff were super kind.
The drive home. It’s nice enough at 10 pm still to open my sun roof, through which I had a nice view of the stars. I spotted Pleiades and Cassiopeia.
My mom. She just had to take a picture of me as I was heading to work. Then she wanted to hear all about my night when I got home.
View from my car on the bridge. Picture doesn’t do it justice.Ready to work!
First, let me apologize for not posting for the last ten days or so. I went on vacation and am just now getting back into the swing of things. Well, really, moving forward into a new normal.
I saw this Christmas display on my run this morning. And I thought it was a great analogy for where I’m at right now.
Life in Florida is my new normal. It’s not the same as Pennsylvania. It doesn’t have the same feel. But it’s good. Just a little awkward still, and downright silly at times.
I’m still not really settled. I’m not acclimated to my new life and new role yet. To be fair, this is a transition period still so I guess I shouldn’t be expecting too much.
I start my new waitressing job in full force tomorrow. I’m looking forward to that. I can remember being so ready to be done working nights, weekends, and holidays. Sixteen years later, and I’m loving the idea of sleeping in until it’s actually light out and am impartial to working nights and weekends. By the way, why is it so hard to find a long sleeved button down collared black shirt?! Whatever happened to stores that had mens dress shirts aplenty?!
Anyway, with change comes discomfort, uneasiness, awkwardness, and difficulty. With change also comes excitement, opportunity, and growth. I’m doing my best to stay optimistic and not too hard on myself about acclimating to my new normal. I mean, Santa on a jet ski is pretty fun even if it’s not necessarily traditional, right?!
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing,15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:12-15 (NIV)
J.I.L.L. 