For the last three years of my life I've been working for a locally owned restaurant named Corbin's Grille. I have been relatively happy working there, my co-workers have become good friends and I have been able to enjoy myself and make a decent enough living working there.
But as I've starting thinking ahead towards graduation, and about how I'm going to survive once I'm no longer eligible for student loans, I've decided I need something a little more.... consistent. As much as I've loved my privately owned place of employment, they are small and unknown and the business is incredibly inconsitent. Summer months, especially, are slow as tar, and I'm not sure I could continue to make the kindof money necessary to live even my simple life and save up for a move to anywhere but here. So I applied to work at The Olive Garden, and was lucky enough to get hired!
I started training yesterday and I'm already exhausted. Two days of an endless stream of information that we're supposed to memorize. EXHAUSTING. But they feed us, and i'm getting paid minimum wage to learn this stuff for 7-8 hours a day for the whole week, so I can't complain too much. The business at Olive Garden, though it will vary like any restaurant, tends to be much more consistent. There are always people eating there, any time of day, any day of the year. Also, I'm working at the location on Riverdale Road, which is a mere 10-15 minute drive from home, as opposed to the 20-30 minute drive it takes to get to Corbin's. So even if I don't necessarily start out making more money, i'll be saving money on gas, which is a bonus in and of itself.
Another benefit for working for a chain restaurant like Olive Garden is that there are transfer opportunities. SO, if in a year I decide I want to move to Orlando, or New York, or Chicago, or LA, there will be an Olive Garden that potentially I could easily transfer to and have a built-in job. I'm also more likely/eligible for hire at any other Darden restaurant, most of which originated in Orlando (where I'm starting to feel like I need to be for a bit once I'm done here). I also am eligible for benefits, health and dental and vision insurance. These are things that in a year I will no longer be able to get through my parents, and if things continue the way they have with my dad's rocky employment status, I might as well get my own now.
It won't be the best place to work, i'm sure, but I'm way overdue for a change. I've been unhappy at my current job for a while; even though I love my co-workers, the place itself holds alot of not great memories, and there are things about the job that aren't much fun anymore. It has lost it's charm, I've become jaded and cynical about the place, and that doesnt lead to a good work experience. Conversely, in the last few weeks I have re-discovered my love for what I do. Its not what I want to do forever, but I do love serving. Working in the dining industry is insanely rewarding if you're doing your job right. I'm excited to get comfortable at The OG and start getting down to business making some moneys and delivering quality service to my guests.
Anyways. Change is good. I'm looking towards the future and making plans for the school year and afterwards and thinking positively as often as possible. It's tricky at night sometimes. But I do my best.
In other news. Weddings and the like, Matchmaking, Talented Friends in Fun Theatre. But I've already rambled enough, so I'll just say goodnight. <3
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