Hiccups

I was sitting outside during my break.  I made myself a cup of tea with my new pot and green mug, munched on a few cookies, wiggled my shoes-free toes, and closed my eyes. Ignoring the front door 2 steps away, the little cigarette butt / trash shoot at the corner of my “porch-ish” area, and the smell of fish I can’t seem to ever get off my hands. It could have been FL: Caedmon’s Call in my ears, sunshine, feeling hot and starting to sweat… except no lizards or ants, or random unwelcome bugs. I probably should have taken a nap or washed my floors, but it felt too good to leave. I soaked up as much as I could as long as I could because I know there won’t be many days like this for long.

 Someone decided to have a party upstairs… Almost went up but my bed had too much of a pull and I passed out. “Yay,” for successful sleep. I woke up a little earlier and popped into the shower. Hot water and good face scrub and I was quite a bit more alert than yesterday. It’s been an interesting few days in Saucier. The chef was coming in later so one of the interns was in charge… She didn’t speak much English, had me work on schnitzel and mirepoix and then sent me over to Garde Mange to help someone else. Saucier has been great and it’s also been frustrating. I know there is so much for me to learn, but the job needs to be done faster and the English / German barrier is defiantly the main hiccup. One moment I am standing around feeling like I am taking up space, next minute I have a knife in hand terrified and a few minutes later I am keeping up with the line. It’s the chopped liver moments that drain my gusto to return after my 3 hr break. At least I get to see the Alps in their full glory surrounded by fog in the morning and brightened with sunshine in the afternoon.

But the night work round… Not so good today. It started off pretty well. Set up the station and had a smiling German by my side… Then the plating started and everything just went downhill. We were working on the middle course together. Six components and fairly simple to put together, The downfall: communication. I completely understand why the guy wasn’t talking…he was focused and I was a background noise. I understand the language barrier, but it shouldn’t be a problem if both people follow a pattern and system…. That didn’t happen and when I asked questions I didn’t get a yes, no or even a head nod. I felt like quite the dweeb. They were all talking to each other and I was left to put together the few words I did know. Things to do and no flow to do them. With the organization went my joy. I know, I know I should have shrugged it off and moved on, but It was one of those nights I just stayed annoyed and frustrated. I allowed myself to simmer and here I am sitting, happy to be out of the kitchen but singed from the disappointing results.

Oh well 

 But tomorrow is a new day. Another 8 Am… more meat, more fish and a chance to make up for today. And hopefully something more interesting to tell.