Friday Fever!

Wow, it's been a while...and then some! Or so it feels--I've been going non-stop this entire week. My assistant manager at Loft asked when my last day off was a few days back, and I honestly didn't know off the top of my head. I had to look back to my iCal, only to find out that last Monday was my last day off! I knew I had a tough week ahead at the beginning of the week, but for some reason, I didn't realize just how LONG 8-hour training days actually are. And if you don't like sitting still, like me, then they just drag on a bit.

Commonwealth...

In an attempt to make this post less read-y and instead lighter, my restaurant training in bullets is as such:

• Great ownership--I've worked in both chain restaurants and privately owned restaurants from high school through college, and I have a feeling this is going to be my best experience yet. The restaurant that I have the privilege of working for is called Commonwealth Restaurant & Skybar--and for good reason! There's so much behind the name, and the owners and managers have taken this to the next level to create an ethos that will definitely stand out in Downtown C'ville.
• Amazing food--Thank goodness I am not on prep right now! Otherwise I would not have been able to taste the Delicious food that was prepared for us every day. I don't think there was a single thing on the menu (aside from desserts--no desserts) that we didn't get to try! All of the dishes take advantage of our location by using local ingredients, whether it be produce, meat, etc. I will admit there are some things I never would have thought to try off the menu, but I didn't taste a single thing that I didn't like either--and that's saying something!
• Fun coworkers--I definitely have a great group of people that I'm going to be working with, and it's such a relief knowing that we are all starting off from square one. It doesn't seem like anyone is judging anyone else, and we all know that there will be mistakes in the beginning, so it was nice knowing that we are all learning together.
• Free booze--I drank more this past week (well, Tuesday - Thursday), than I have in...oh, months?? In the dining room of the restaurant, there's an extensive wine list with approximately 80 wines. On top of that, 8 tap beers and about 20 craft beers. Then about a 10 cocktails. I think we tried about a dozen wines Tuesday, 15 on Wednesday, and then about 10 beers & all but 2 cocktails on Thursday. During the day--a rare occasion for me as of late. Did I mention that we got paid to do this?! Once again, thank goodness for no prep!
• Guilt--All that food and alcohol and no guilt? Ha, if only! I sort of went into this week thinking that I would be starving the entire time--I mean they said they would provide us with food, but they don't know how much I eat! Answer: a LOT (of protein)! So I was surprised when I realized the food was actually really filling, despite the small-ish portions. I guess that's what normal food does to you. I definitely would count this as a "cheat week" AND I didn't even get to hit my two-a-days at the gym any day (I could have Wednesday afternoon, but sitting around for 8 hours is more exhausting than you would think)!

Loft

I am officially in training mode! Doesn't feel much different. Just learning to run the day-to-day tasks of being part of the management team. So far it's mostly reading, then doing things I haven't done before, like counting registers and figuring out all the computer stuff. Boring exciting stuff. Just over a week left til I'm done with that training, then I have to take my Key Test, and BAM!!--it's official!

Gym

The combination of mental exhaustion and the unmet need for a nap every day has led to some pretty funny gym moments this week...whether it be Toni calling me her "daughter from another mother" (which, by the way Toni, I never told you I am honored to be considered!), or my insanely large ego excitement over touching the rack during heavy squats today! Did I mention that I was working out with Kevin & his other trainee, Bob? Yeah, suck it boys! Don't worry, I literally said that to them too. But in all fairness, I think Kevin was trying to give me a hard time or say how he was working sooo much harder or something. I wasn't trying to give Bob any flak though--he's a champ (and doesn't make fun of my inability to count...which is to be seen)! So aside from having to rush Monday thru Thursday mornings, aka crappy cardio and no 2nd round, I got in some good workouts.

Friday R&R

Today was all about the rest & relaxation, despite forgoing sleeping in an hour for a leg morning instead. Grocery shopping, tanning, cooking, other errands (that included a stop to Loft--just can't stay away from that store!)... Oh and did I mention I'm watching the most precious kitten ever for the next few days? Her name is Rooney and she is currently in cute kitten mode, napping all stretched out over the arm of the couch! Don't quite have any pictures yet, but I'll be sure to post some soon. Oh, and I didn't even mind waking up in the middle of the night to her using my sleeping body as a jungle gym. 

I apologize for the dragging post, but I'll be back at ya soon with something way more fun (as soon as I figure out what that is)!

Happy Friday!!