Life Change – J.I.L.L.

Officially a Server

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.

After people hear that I quit my very good job and moved to Florida, their next question usually is, “so what are you going to do next?” Well, my plan is to finish my dissertation this spring and wait tables to make some money while I do that. I would also like to continue to explore the job market and see what else is out there that might be a good fit.

Once my dissertation is complete, the plan is to explore teaching at a college/university. My pie-in-the-sky dream right now involves writing a book, being a motivational speaker, and supporting public educators everywhere.

But let’s take things one step at a time. Waiting tables… It has been 16 years since I waited tables. I’ve eaten plenty of food and drank plenty of spirits since then so I would consider myself still in the (relative) know about food and beverage service. However, sixteen years is a lot. Last time I waited tables I was 25. I’m 41 now.

This makes me think of the first time I played in the teacher vs student volleyball tournament as a teacher. In my mind, I could still play as well as I did the last time I played (when I was 17). But the looks of dismay and concern as I screeched across the gym floor, as I unnecessarily dove for a ball, said otherwise. My body also said otherwise. And that was after only an 8-year gap. This is twice as much.

I applied for my first server job tonight, in person. Given the 16-year gap on my food service resume, I felt it was important to go in and talk face-to-face with someone. I was pretty much offered the job on the spot. My serving history probably had something to do with that, my professional history may have as well, but mostly I think it’s because they’re so desperate for help.

I’m not sure this place is the right fit for me. I’m also not sure I can actually do this. But I guess I’m going to give them a few hours Friday night to give it a try and maybe find out. In the meantime I’m going to apply at a few other places and see how it all shakes out.

I’m really missing everyone today. I love you all so much and I miss you. I miss being there for you and with you. I’m trying to embrace the quiet and the new space and what it means for me. I’m trying for me and for you. ❤️

5 Things

I was talking with a colleague about my upcoming drive to Florida and he said “maybe you should just leave everything here and start over.” It’s an interesting idea. What if I just left everything behind? The material items aren’t what’s truly important anyway, right?

These thoughts prompt me to pose this question to you: Other than one normal outfit including your typical jewelry (but no crazy layering allowed), if you were to move to a new life and could only carry with you five material items, what would you take? And why?

The Big Move is Almost Here

I am going to start posting updates on my journey to a new state and a new life.

Including today, I have only five days left at work. And, one week from tomorrow, I hit the road to FL. I still can’t believe I’m actually doing this. I am super excited yet super sad, and can switch between those emotions from one moment to the next.

Between now and next Thursday, I need to figure out exactly how much stuff I can fit in my car, so I can decide exactly what will go with me now and what will go into storage with all my furniture and other home goods. One of the many lessons I have learned so far through this process is the importance of letting go of material things. What do I really need versus what do I just want?

Regardless of what you call it – decluttering, simplifying, organizing, minimalism, essentialism, etc. – I highly recommend you look into purging some material clutter from your life. The process of sorting through all my belongings has given me a sense of freedom I did not anticipate. It makes me think of the movie Labyrinth, where one character literally carried on her back all of the belongings she cherished. This kept her from going out and experiencing life. Scary metaphor, huh?

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
     ~Matthew 6:33, NLT

I also need to figure out the actual route I will drive to FL. My good friend and former secretary, Betty Anne (BA), is making the trek with me. We are going to make a fun trip of it, stopping at several places along the way. Many people are likening us to Thelma and Louise. I hope we don’t get into nearly as much trouble as those ladies; however, I hope that, thanks to BA’s company, this drive to FL will be an adventure in and of itself!

“Well, we’re not in the middle of nowhere, but we can see it from here.” ~Louise Sawyer, ‘Thelma And Louise’