It has been quite a pleasant couple of days. I have been working the morning shift today and yesterday, and it so far been more pleasant and slightly more relaxing than the night shift. I've been the 'runner' again for these two shifts as I cannot take orders yet and time just seems to fly when I am busy running in and out of the kitchen. There is a lull period before lunch time and after lunch time where there are only a few customers and that is the period which is truly relaxing and I can get to talk to the other waitresses and the chefs. Oh,and the recipe for the scones is a secret, damn. But the good thing is I finally got to eat the food...hahah...greedy me, I know. But hey, chef offered me scones for breakfast yesterday which I turned down because I was kind of full, but which I regretted cos I didn't have the guts to ask again when I was feeling hungry. But I got to eat Jackfruit ice-cream which sounds kind of yucky, but is actually surprisingly delicious with a very creamy texture and just a hint of jackfruit bits in the ice-cream. And today, I got to eat freshly fried calamari rings, one of my favourite food which the chef proclaimed was best in Singapore and some say JB, and it was very very yummy.
After work, I went to meet yumin at Marina Square, where we had a very good time 'feasting'. What an indulgent day! We had ice-cream at Anderson's of Denmark, where I rested my tired feet and nourished my hungry stomach. After that, we walked around the shopping centre. The place is huge but somehow nowadays I seem to have lost that desire for shoppping. We then went to a Hong Kong Cafe where they have the most amazing french toast. Here, I must rave about it a little. It comes in quite a huge slab, so I really do recommend sharing, though I ate the whole thing by myself. I think the whole thing was deep-fried as it was an even shade of golden brown. It had a crispy exterior and a soft and fluffy interior and was topped with a slice of butter and drizzled generously with honey. I also ordered the 'yuan-yang' drink which is actually a mix of kopi-c and teh-c, which sounds weird, but actually tasted very nice. The menu is quite extensive and they also have many other hong-kong specialities like almond-cream, egg-tarts, baked rice, instant noodles etc. The prices are kind of steep though, I am not sure I want to pay $3.50 for a bowl of almond cream when I can get it for $1 in chinatown, nor to pay $7 for a bowl of instant noodles disguised under another name.
So I am feeling very satisfied now after getting to eat all the junk food without feeling guilty. It is a reward for a long day, I suppose. And the fact that I did not eat lunch and dinner makes up for it....woohoo, I know that with Yumin, we will always have a good time eating...hee. She is one of the few females I know who can eat as heartily as me :) How she eats so much and stay so skinny makes me wonder at the unfairness of things...hahah
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
Today while at the library, I chanced upon this book by Le Cordon Bleu, the complete cooking-step by step. The book was such a find that despite it being super huge and bulky and even though I had to lug it around with me as I wasn't going home yet, I just simply had to borrow it. Le Cordon Bleu is a famous culinary Institute in Paris, but it now has schools in London, Tokyo, Sydney and America as well. If I have ever a chance in future, I wish I can take some courses there. This is, of course, but a dream.
I borrowed the book at first, thinking of just looking through the endless recipes and the pictures and marvel at the wonder of cooking and baking. Haven't you ever been amazed at how different ingredients can be combined together to create the most amazing of dishes. Complete with the calorific content of the food, filled with step by step instructions on how to prepare each dish, and with almost all kind of dishes. However, there are just simply so many recipes that I wish I can copy all of them, which is kind of impossible. I so wish that I can buy this book, but I know for sure I won't, at least for now as my estimation for the price of the book is at least $100(I think). And since I won't be doing any cooking for quite some time to come(mum being queen of the kitchen and staying put), I shall just be contented with baking, looking at cookbooks, enjoying food in restaurants and looking at the food at my workplace..hee
Talking about cookbooks, I don't even have a single baking book to my name..except for a Betty Crocker's book that I photocopied(shhh). But come think of it, I have yet to use a single recipe from there..hahah..
I borrowed the book at first, thinking of just looking through the endless recipes and the pictures and marvel at the wonder of cooking and baking. Haven't you ever been amazed at how different ingredients can be combined together to create the most amazing of dishes. Complete with the calorific content of the food, filled with step by step instructions on how to prepare each dish, and with almost all kind of dishes. However, there are just simply so many recipes that I wish I can copy all of them, which is kind of impossible. I so wish that I can buy this book, but I know for sure I won't, at least for now as my estimation for the price of the book is at least $100(I think). And since I won't be doing any cooking for quite some time to come(mum being queen of the kitchen and staying put), I shall just be contented with baking, looking at cookbooks, enjoying food in restaurants and looking at the food at my workplace..hee
Talking about cookbooks, I don't even have a single baking book to my name..except for a Betty Crocker's book that I photocopied(shhh). But come think of it, I have yet to use a single recipe from there..hahah..
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Tonight was the second day of work, and it was way better than the second day. Maybe its because I went with a positive mindset, or maybe because I got to talk more with the other staff(guys are definitely friendlier than girls), or because today I was the 'runner',which put me to close proximity to the food, despite my bad cramp and bloated stomach, I kind of enjoyed myself today.
'Runner' means the person who is supposed to serve the food to the guests. For every shift, there will be one 'runner' who is supposed to serve the food to all the guests, running from the kitchen and back. Being new, I was kind of apprehensive being the runner initially, but I found it more fun than standing around pouring water and clearing tables(which I hate to do cos I am very clumsy and have not quite mastered the skill of stacking up the plates yet). And I got to talk to the chefs and watched them at work...heehee, which is probably one of the reasons why I wanted to be a waitress in the first place. There is an organized system which ensures that the food gets served efficiently, after they finish the previous course. The other staff and the chefs were all very nice to help me get used to the system, and after a while, it became a breeze, except when it became really busy and I had to send food to a few tables at a time.
A few boo-boos was when I mixed up the soup of the day(minestrone) with tomato soup, which is quite a silly mistake. And I was corrected by a customer who told me that tomato is not pronounced as 'to-may-to', but 'to-ma-to'. I simply rolled my eyes(privately), but gave a smile. The plates were also very heavy, especially for the main courses, and after carrying a few in and out of the kitchen, my fingers were so stiff that I was afraid it would give way while carrying something. And I really almost did that when setting down 2 particularly heavy plates of beef fillet, thankfully it didn't and the customers were nice about it. I really marvelled at how my boss could carry 3 big plates in one go, I've got much to learn.
And so today's 4hours passed really quickly today. With the live oldies music that I loved, and being able to talk to the staff, and with nice customers, why, the job really isn't that bad at all..hahah. though my legs are super aching now. Looking forward to more nice days to come.
'Runner' means the person who is supposed to serve the food to the guests. For every shift, there will be one 'runner' who is supposed to serve the food to all the guests, running from the kitchen and back. Being new, I was kind of apprehensive being the runner initially, but I found it more fun than standing around pouring water and clearing tables(which I hate to do cos I am very clumsy and have not quite mastered the skill of stacking up the plates yet). And I got to talk to the chefs and watched them at work...heehee, which is probably one of the reasons why I wanted to be a waitress in the first place. There is an organized system which ensures that the food gets served efficiently, after they finish the previous course. The other staff and the chefs were all very nice to help me get used to the system, and after a while, it became a breeze, except when it became really busy and I had to send food to a few tables at a time.
A few boo-boos was when I mixed up the soup of the day(minestrone) with tomato soup, which is quite a silly mistake. And I was corrected by a customer who told me that tomato is not pronounced as 'to-may-to', but 'to-ma-to'. I simply rolled my eyes(privately), but gave a smile. The plates were also very heavy, especially for the main courses, and after carrying a few in and out of the kitchen, my fingers were so stiff that I was afraid it would give way while carrying something. And I really almost did that when setting down 2 particularly heavy plates of beef fillet, thankfully it didn't and the customers were nice about it. I really marvelled at how my boss could carry 3 big plates in one go, I've got much to learn.
And so today's 4hours passed really quickly today. With the live oldies music that I loved, and being able to talk to the staff, and with nice customers, why, the job really isn't that bad at all..hahah. though my legs are super aching now. Looking forward to more nice days to come.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Working at Fosters wasn't quite what I expected, but I shall with hold comments until I have had least worked for some time. Being new, I had quite a lot of things to learn. And when I was clearing tables, I kept worrying that I would drop the glasses, but thankfully that didn't happen. By the end of the 4 hour shift, my face ached from smiling and my feet ached from walking back and fro and my eyes swam with unshed tears. My manager is quite a no nonsense person whom I am quite sure would give me a tongue lashing if I make any mistakes in future, but for yesterday, he was pretty patient with me, guiding me around...
Perhaps it was the stress of the first day, perhaps it was because I was new and was thus slow and clumsy(or so I felt), perhaps it was because not everybody was as friendly as I had thought they would be, but hey, welcome to the real world. Maybe this is what I set out to learn, to discover that outside of my sheltered world, there exist many other nasty people too, I don't mean my fellow waitresses, but maybe people who patronize the restaurants. Perhaps because I didn't manage to 'nick' any food, though I was surrounded by delighful looking food with the aroma wafting all over, I didn't feel even feel hungry..hahah.. But it was a very subdued me walking out of the restaurant, I just felt new, lost, unfamiliar and unwelcome, which is a whole new sensation altogether. And the tears just started to come.
But a sight for sore eyes was steph who came by too see how was my first day at work and to go home with me. He of course, wiped my tear dry with his iced-jelly stained hankerchief which smelled strongly of lemon which made me giggle so much the tears just stopped..hahah and provided a shoulder for me to lie on. And I didn't even ask him to, though when I was working, I kept hoping that he would pop by cos I missed him so much. And i guess God heard my prayers and he came, and so timely too. I guess even when you are down, He will send his angels to comfort you. So for this job, I will keep hoping that it would all turn out for the good. So I will continue to give it my best and see how it goes.
Perhaps it was the stress of the first day, perhaps it was because I was new and was thus slow and clumsy(or so I felt), perhaps it was because not everybody was as friendly as I had thought they would be, but hey, welcome to the real world. Maybe this is what I set out to learn, to discover that outside of my sheltered world, there exist many other nasty people too, I don't mean my fellow waitresses, but maybe people who patronize the restaurants. Perhaps because I didn't manage to 'nick' any food, though I was surrounded by delighful looking food with the aroma wafting all over, I didn't feel even feel hungry..hahah.. But it was a very subdued me walking out of the restaurant, I just felt new, lost, unfamiliar and unwelcome, which is a whole new sensation altogether. And the tears just started to come.
But a sight for sore eyes was steph who came by too see how was my first day at work and to go home with me. He of course, wiped my tear dry with his iced-jelly stained hankerchief which smelled strongly of lemon which made me giggle so much the tears just stopped..hahah and provided a shoulder for me to lie on. And I didn't even ask him to, though when I was working, I kept hoping that he would pop by cos I missed him so much. And i guess God heard my prayers and he came, and so timely too. I guess even when you are down, He will send his angels to comfort you. So for this job, I will keep hoping that it would all turn out for the good. So I will continue to give it my best and see how it goes.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
It is such a cloudy and overcast day today and I have been slacking at home the whole day. Been feeling sickly for the past few days, and taking the flu medication this morning only made my head heavier and spinning. Thus the whole morning and afternoon, I have been coming in and out of consciousness, trying to clear my head without much success. Such a cold and dreary day..brrrr. I start work later at 6pm and I really hope I can get through the day despite my present state, hopefully maybe later I will snap out of it. After all, I do need all my wits about me when working, just hope I don't spill anything or what, I am starting to get really really scared, not knowing what to expect, my earlier bravado gone.
It has not been the most pleasant couple of days with the exception of Saturday, where I took part in an event organized by my church called "A Time to Shine" to bring a group of underpriviledged kids to Sentosa for a day. Early in the morning, we arrived at the school, faced by a bunch of the most cherubic looking lower primary school kids. They were so teensy weenie and I can't imagine myself being that size when I was at that age..hahah. I was assigned to a kid called Rashid who is this adorable looking pri 3 boy with deep dimples in his left cheek when he smiled. I was worried that he would be quite a handful, but he was actually pretty well behaved and would not wander off by himself. He loves playing football and his favourite team is Brazil..hahah..
We brought the kids to The Underwater World, where I have not been to since I was a kid. Rashid wasn't really interested in all the fishes except sharks, and this enthusiasm was infectious. I was soon chasing after he and his inseparable buddy and changed my mind about him being not quite a handful. We went to the Dolphine Lagoon and had lunch of BK there. The pink dolphins were really cute and could perform many stunts which to 10 year old kids, would be very impressive. But to me, its like ok, so thats nice, but I wouldn't pay money to go watch that.
The day passed very fast, and it soon, we were on the bus on the way to school. I was tired out, but the kids still seemed to have limitless energy. I felt really blessed to be part of this event, to be able to interact with the kids and to see them smile and have a great time, there is just something so gratifying about that. Being around kids really make one happy. So despite being drained of all energy, I felt really happy too :)
It has not been the most pleasant couple of days with the exception of Saturday, where I took part in an event organized by my church called "A Time to Shine" to bring a group of underpriviledged kids to Sentosa for a day. Early in the morning, we arrived at the school, faced by a bunch of the most cherubic looking lower primary school kids. They were so teensy weenie and I can't imagine myself being that size when I was at that age..hahah. I was assigned to a kid called Rashid who is this adorable looking pri 3 boy with deep dimples in his left cheek when he smiled. I was worried that he would be quite a handful, but he was actually pretty well behaved and would not wander off by himself. He loves playing football and his favourite team is Brazil..hahah..
We brought the kids to The Underwater World, where I have not been to since I was a kid. Rashid wasn't really interested in all the fishes except sharks, and this enthusiasm was infectious. I was soon chasing after he and his inseparable buddy and changed my mind about him being not quite a handful. We went to the Dolphine Lagoon and had lunch of BK there. The pink dolphins were really cute and could perform many stunts which to 10 year old kids, would be very impressive. But to me, its like ok, so thats nice, but I wouldn't pay money to go watch that.
The day passed very fast, and it soon, we were on the bus on the way to school. I was tired out, but the kids still seemed to have limitless energy. I felt really blessed to be part of this event, to be able to interact with the kids and to see them smile and have a great time, there is just something so gratifying about that. Being around kids really make one happy. So despite being drained of all energy, I felt really happy too :)
Friday, June 16, 2006
Its been quite a long while since I last blogged. Time has really flew past, in the blink of an eye, special sem is over for me. And to think that it was six weeks ago that I lamented that I would never be able to learn thai, that I have to go back to school 3 times a week, 3-4hours per session in the wee hours of the morning, that I could never understand a single word the teacher was saying. The thai exam was today, and the oral exam was on wednesday and for once, I believe that I would do well(moderately I hope). The gratification came when I suddenly realized that I could converse in Thai, albeit not very fluently. The learning curve for language is very steep, I was muddling through the first few weeks when it suddenly hit me whambang that hey, I actually finally know what was going on. From constantly having to refer to my trusty notebook where all my translations were, to not being able to hold a proper conversation without referring to notes, and finally to being able to carry on a conversation minus notes.
I must say it has been a most enjoyable summer course, being able to meet new and interesting people and being closer to them than I normally would in a normal semester. And of course the teachers were all very nice and friendly. In a way, I would miss having classes, but its now time to move on, and move on I shall- by working..
I would be starting work next week at Fosters in Holland village. How ironic that I would now be working there when I used to patronize them for their scones which are really out of this world.(maybe I would get to bring some home for free..heh). My mother thought I was out of my mind and insisted that being a waitress was very lowly. I staunchly stood my stand and insisted that it was a decent job which will allow me to learn new things. For all my outward stand, it is with trepidation that I start work next week. After all, I am not known to be a klutz for nothing. And people have been telling me that it is not easy being in the service industry. I could have easily applied for an office job I know. But it just occurred to me to try something different and also give me the flexibilty of having more time instead of being confined 9-5 in an office job. So I shall muster up all my enthusiasim and gaiety for this job. I don't know what to expect, but I expect it would be fun, and I think I would give it my best shot. Wish me luck!
I must say it has been a most enjoyable summer course, being able to meet new and interesting people and being closer to them than I normally would in a normal semester. And of course the teachers were all very nice and friendly. In a way, I would miss having classes, but its now time to move on, and move on I shall- by working..
I would be starting work next week at Fosters in Holland village. How ironic that I would now be working there when I used to patronize them for their scones which are really out of this world.(maybe I would get to bring some home for free..heh). My mother thought I was out of my mind and insisted that being a waitress was very lowly. I staunchly stood my stand and insisted that it was a decent job which will allow me to learn new things. For all my outward stand, it is with trepidation that I start work next week. After all, I am not known to be a klutz for nothing. And people have been telling me that it is not easy being in the service industry. I could have easily applied for an office job I know. But it just occurred to me to try something different and also give me the flexibilty of having more time instead of being confined 9-5 in an office job. So I shall muster up all my enthusiasim and gaiety for this job. I don't know what to expect, but I expect it would be fun, and I think I would give it my best shot. Wish me luck!
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