So first of all, my Christmas was nice. It wasn't elaborate, which was what I wanted. It was my family, then hanging out with some close friends, which is all I could ask for. Of course, I was dead tired the whole time, but with good reason. Whenever I'm home, I feel the need to work. I'm not joking either, I work non-stop.
What do I do for work? Well, on campus, I open mail and sort all the applications. That is very low-stress, and it's a nice break to my day. However, at home, I'm an employee at Kelly's Roast Beef. The actual position names where I have worked are: counter, expedite, attendant, host, counter trainer, drive thru window, cash booth, order booth, salads, dress, dress trainer, set-up, grill, and fry. I have also covered slice before. Now, what does that entail? I pretty much have: taken orders, given out food, cleaned the dining room, washed dishes, brought out food to the tables, trained new employees everywhere, given out food at the drive thru, taken money and orders in drive thru, made salads/seafood sandwiches, put condiments on burgers, roast beefs and other sandwiches, put seafood platters together (fish, shrimp, scallops, clams, oysters, etc), cooked burgers, toasted rolls, and deep fried various foods. Oh yeah, and I've sliced beef and other vegetables, meats, and cheeses before. Yeah, it's a long list. I haven't really considered how much I do there, but there's good reason for it. I love my job.
Now most people ask me, "why do you work on break?" And like I just said, I love my job. Being a cook and working in a restaurant is not someone's idea of a fun time at all, but for some reason, I love it. Sure, I get super stressed out and snap at people from time to time (most often with good reason), but I honestly love it. I have so much fun with my fellow employees it's just an added bonus that I get paid. But that's the thing, I get paid. It's a job, it's work, it's money.
And that's where I realize I'm actually lucky. I found a job that, although won't get me the same pay as an engineering job would after college, gets me pay. And I have a job to say the least. Most of my friends can't even find work, and yet I'm working horrible hours and in the end losing sleep because of it (I sometimes call out orders in my sleep, ask my mom). But I never realized that beneath the thick layers of grease and grime, I was lucky. Sure, my job isn't a walk in the park, but it's a lot better than no job at all. And I'm not trying to flaunt it around either; as much as I try to hide it, I can't.
I am a fry cook.
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