Winter quarter is always rough. Most of the stress and lackluster parts of winter quarter seem to be due to the hardest classes being offered then (second quarter of Theory II anyone?), and because no one has seen the sun in Seattle for about 4 months and counting. Add on graduate school auditions, and trying to figure out what in heaven's name I'm doing with my life, and you get even more stress. There's a reason I took hardly any classes this quarter (beside the fact that I'm basically done with my degree)...I don't have time to have homework!
This makes for an unhappy Allie, especially since it seems that both of my grad audition trips were/are in the middle of really important periods of time in my classes. Round one was during midterms; round two will be during the week/weekend before finals. Kill me now...
It's been really difficult since I got home from my first round of grad auditions as well. With all the stress and build up of January pushing towards grad auditions, I came home and found myself feeling without direction in my practicing, and overwhelmed by everything that needed to get done. There were loose strings everywhere in my life, from homework, to pieces to prepare for different performances, music to be filed in the library, a whole bunch of crazy stuff with family and friends, and to top it all off, I was jet lagged. There were many tears shed last week, and probably way too much time spent just trying to figure out how I was going to get it all done.
I found direction though! I'm excited to say that the wind ensemble parts for the concerto I'll be playing in the spring concert were shipped to us early last week, and I handed them out to the band on Friday. That being done, I've gotten my butt kicked back into gear. Nothing worse than passing out a piece to your peers and then fearing you can't play it yet to motivate you to go learn your piece backward and forward. Along that line also came the realization that I would have to schedule my recital jury for mid-April, which is only two months away! I only have half of my recital down so far, and clocking in at well over an hour's worth of playing, I have my work cut out for me. (I don't know how I keep having long recitals...junior recitals should be 25-30 minutes of playing; mine was 45. My senior recital should be 50 minutes worth of music, and it's currently pushing 70...sorry friends and family who are watching it!)
I also have wonderful, supportive friends who take care of me, and listen when I need to vent. I'm super blessed in that. Yesterday was registration for spring quarter, and I can tell you that all of us were freaking out, making sure we could get registered for all those last classes we needed for graduation. I think it definitely counted for the lowest point I've had all quarter, and two of my friends took time out of their busy schedules just to come and make sure I was okay.
So, after two hours of good practicing today, a completely full schedule set for next quarter, and the promise of an amazing meal tonight, I can say that I have pulled myself out of this stupid lurch I've been in, and am ready to move forward and do awesome things with the rest of this quarter.
Also, did you know that enthusiastic horn playing can break fingernails? New lesson learned today!
Allison
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Sunday, February 3, 2013
The audition review (part one)
Hello, my lovely followers! I know it's been a long wait for an update from me. I actually tried posting one on Wednesday, but my phone deleted the draft...oops.
I'm currently sitting in Boston Logan, waiting for the next hour and a half to board my flight to Newark, then after a couple hour layover, I get to go home!
My auditions were a fun new experience. I found that just like airport security, everything goes better if you smile and are polite. It's been quite a whirlwind of a trip, including six flights in four days!
I got into Rochester Thursday night, and was fortunate to have a place to crash at Eastman with another awesome horn player named Caitlin. It wasn't the most restful night of sleep because Eastman kids stay up late and the walls are paper thin, but I was thankful for a place to crash. I got up early to be ready for the beginning of audition day, starting f at 9 am. I was lucky enough to have a few hours after the opening info meeting so I could go warm up. We had a sort of FAQ meeting for grad applicants at noon where I got to meet the other horn grad applicant of the day, then my audition was at 1:40.
The audition went pretty well. Lots of really good moments in my playing, and a couple I wasn't necessarily proud of, but overall I did come out of the room smiling.
I flew out to Boston that evening, and after some delays and some serious running in Washington Dulles, I made it to Boston just after midnight.
My audition wasn't until 2 the next afternoon, so I managed to get a good night sleep, and felt good when I got up. I caught the green line out to Boston Conservatory, and got there by 10:30. Had plenty of time to warm up, and explore the school a bit, talked to some undergrad horn applicants, and went into my audition (I was the only grad applicant on horn that day). Played my solos we, rocked my excerpts, remembered my scales, and then got handed some atonal sight reading that kicked my butt. We'll see how that turns out!
Because I was done so early, I got to go explore Boston, and actually got to meet up with a friend from junior high, Asante, who is currently a senior at Harvard. It's kind of crazy catching up with someone you haven't seen in six years, but it was nice to see a familiar face in a city I had never visited before.
So, here I sit, in the airport again (I'm starting to wonder if I've spent more time in airports and planes than actually out seeing these places). I really have enjoyed my experience, but I'm ready to go home. Partially this is driven my the fact that it's COLD out here, and partially because I miss my friends, my bed, and staying in the same time zone. It won't be long until I'm back, though! I'll be in NYC in early March for my next round of auditions.
I do wonder if I'm ready for grad school though...I feel so young compared to other grad applicants (most of whom are around 24, while I'm only 21). And even though I'm from a city, visiting the east coast never fails to make me feel kind of like a country bumpkin. Nonetheless, I hope to hear some good news back from these auditions, even though I'm steeling myself for rejection. Here's to hoping!
Meanwhile, my dear Emerald City, I'm coming home!
I'm currently sitting in Boston Logan, waiting for the next hour and a half to board my flight to Newark, then after a couple hour layover, I get to go home!
My auditions were a fun new experience. I found that just like airport security, everything goes better if you smile and are polite. It's been quite a whirlwind of a trip, including six flights in four days!
I got into Rochester Thursday night, and was fortunate to have a place to crash at Eastman with another awesome horn player named Caitlin. It wasn't the most restful night of sleep because Eastman kids stay up late and the walls are paper thin, but I was thankful for a place to crash. I got up early to be ready for the beginning of audition day, starting f at 9 am. I was lucky enough to have a few hours after the opening info meeting so I could go warm up. We had a sort of FAQ meeting for grad applicants at noon where I got to meet the other horn grad applicant of the day, then my audition was at 1:40.
The audition went pretty well. Lots of really good moments in my playing, and a couple I wasn't necessarily proud of, but overall I did come out of the room smiling.
I flew out to Boston that evening, and after some delays and some serious running in Washington Dulles, I made it to Boston just after midnight.
My audition wasn't until 2 the next afternoon, so I managed to get a good night sleep, and felt good when I got up. I caught the green line out to Boston Conservatory, and got there by 10:30. Had plenty of time to warm up, and explore the school a bit, talked to some undergrad horn applicants, and went into my audition (I was the only grad applicant on horn that day). Played my solos we, rocked my excerpts, remembered my scales, and then got handed some atonal sight reading that kicked my butt. We'll see how that turns out!
Because I was done so early, I got to go explore Boston, and actually got to meet up with a friend from junior high, Asante, who is currently a senior at Harvard. It's kind of crazy catching up with someone you haven't seen in six years, but it was nice to see a familiar face in a city I had never visited before.
So, here I sit, in the airport again (I'm starting to wonder if I've spent more time in airports and planes than actually out seeing these places). I really have enjoyed my experience, but I'm ready to go home. Partially this is driven my the fact that it's COLD out here, and partially because I miss my friends, my bed, and staying in the same time zone. It won't be long until I'm back, though! I'll be in NYC in early March for my next round of auditions.
I do wonder if I'm ready for grad school though...I feel so young compared to other grad applicants (most of whom are around 24, while I'm only 21). And even though I'm from a city, visiting the east coast never fails to make me feel kind of like a country bumpkin. Nonetheless, I hope to hear some good news back from these auditions, even though I'm steeling myself for rejection. Here's to hoping!
Meanwhile, my dear Emerald City, I'm coming home!
Saturday, December 22, 2012
To be a Christian...
It amazes me how sometimes being away from school only makes it more apparent the issues I have when I'm at school because I've realized what the normal world is like. Yup, that was a really vague sentence. I'll clarify. I go to school at a private Christian liberal arts university. Most of the population at our school are nice Christian kids. Because of the nature of this school, there are a few strange things that have popped up and stuck around, most notably, Ring-by-Spring, and the SPU Bubble.
Ring-by-Spring is always a heavily argued topic because people swear that it's not really there any more, and that our generation has moved beyond it. (For those who don't know, Ring-by-Spring references a Christian college culture where you should find your life partner and be engaged to them by the time you get to the spring of your senior year) The hilarious thing to me about this mentality is that every holiday season, and every spring, people left and right start getting engaged. *shrug* Perhaps it's just a strange reality.
Now the SPU Bubble, that's a harder one for me to just shrug off. What this refers to is the sheltered community that is set up at SPU, where all things are lovely and beautiful, full of God, and without dissent. Most everyone seems to be conservative Republicans, and evangelical Christians, ready to share the gospel with everyone around them. (Please note that I said seems, not is) I've now been here for four years, and I'm about ready to kick the next person who posts a Bible verse as a status, or talk constantly about all the work God is doing in their lives.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not stupid enough to run around telling people that their faith isn't important, or that it's all BS. I don't think that any faith crisis that I'm having should keep other people from their own faith, and I also understand that we have a freedom to openly talk about our faith. What kills me in these situations is how often the people who post things like that are in fact the ones being total jerks to people around them. If you're posting about how God is teaching you how to put Him front and center, that's awesome. But don't turn around and be a jerk to someone who just read that status. Because, let's just be frank, that's the very hypocritical behavior that non-Christians judge Christians for.
I hate saying it, too, because people assume that Christians should have it all figured out, and be perfect like they say they are. I know that it's not true. But I wonder...the best Christians I've seen in my life are the ones who are openly imperfect. They may cuss, or drink, or just openly state that they have no effing idea where they're going in life, but that they're trying to figure out their relationship with God as they go. People in my life who are like this, thank you. Out of all the types of people I've met at SPU, these people are the ones who have helped me maintain any semblance of faith. The ones who are constantly gushing about God are the ones I'm actually more likely to raise an eyebrow at, and get much more miffed if they turn around and bite my head off when they're stressed (which, strangely enough, has happened a lot over the last few years. What's up with that?).
I also worry very much about the kids I know who are in the SPU Bubble, because I wonder what is going to happen to them after they graduate. The first time they get in an argument with someone, and that someone isn't just going to say, "Oh honey, God wants me to forgive you, so I will!" Or the first time they bite someone else's head off, and the other person isn't thinking to themselves, "You know, I'm sure they're having a hard week with school, so I'll just let it pass that they just hurt me, and go pray for them instead." Nope, in the real world, people get pissed about behavior like that. I hope things go well for the kids that don't leave the Bubble until graduation, but I'm rather glad that I'm hanging out off to the side of the Bubble instead.
I want to be a good Christian, but sometimes, I think it's easier to try to just be a Christian, and not worry about being that crazy conservative Christian, Republican, soft-spoken, cookie-baking, Sunday school teaching, super-mom, pastor's wife that seems to be the ideal. I find I have a better time with my faith when it's okay that I'm loud, and sarcastic, a musician who can't decide if they even want kids, and someone who probably slips up with cuss words far too much for anyone else's comfort zone. I don't pray enough, or read my Bible, but I do try to have a relationship with God. I probably screw it up more than I get it right, but I'll keep trying until I can no longer do so. Having a faith crisis while at a Christian school is probably a bit weird, but then again, maybe not.
~Allison
Ring-by-Spring is always a heavily argued topic because people swear that it's not really there any more, and that our generation has moved beyond it. (For those who don't know, Ring-by-Spring references a Christian college culture where you should find your life partner and be engaged to them by the time you get to the spring of your senior year) The hilarious thing to me about this mentality is that every holiday season, and every spring, people left and right start getting engaged. *shrug* Perhaps it's just a strange reality.
Now the SPU Bubble, that's a harder one for me to just shrug off. What this refers to is the sheltered community that is set up at SPU, where all things are lovely and beautiful, full of God, and without dissent. Most everyone seems to be conservative Republicans, and evangelical Christians, ready to share the gospel with everyone around them. (Please note that I said seems, not is) I've now been here for four years, and I'm about ready to kick the next person who posts a Bible verse as a status, or talk constantly about all the work God is doing in their lives.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not stupid enough to run around telling people that their faith isn't important, or that it's all BS. I don't think that any faith crisis that I'm having should keep other people from their own faith, and I also understand that we have a freedom to openly talk about our faith. What kills me in these situations is how often the people who post things like that are in fact the ones being total jerks to people around them. If you're posting about how God is teaching you how to put Him front and center, that's awesome. But don't turn around and be a jerk to someone who just read that status. Because, let's just be frank, that's the very hypocritical behavior that non-Christians judge Christians for.
I hate saying it, too, because people assume that Christians should have it all figured out, and be perfect like they say they are. I know that it's not true. But I wonder...the best Christians I've seen in my life are the ones who are openly imperfect. They may cuss, or drink, or just openly state that they have no effing idea where they're going in life, but that they're trying to figure out their relationship with God as they go. People in my life who are like this, thank you. Out of all the types of people I've met at SPU, these people are the ones who have helped me maintain any semblance of faith. The ones who are constantly gushing about God are the ones I'm actually more likely to raise an eyebrow at, and get much more miffed if they turn around and bite my head off when they're stressed (which, strangely enough, has happened a lot over the last few years. What's up with that?).
I also worry very much about the kids I know who are in the SPU Bubble, because I wonder what is going to happen to them after they graduate. The first time they get in an argument with someone, and that someone isn't just going to say, "Oh honey, God wants me to forgive you, so I will!" Or the first time they bite someone else's head off, and the other person isn't thinking to themselves, "You know, I'm sure they're having a hard week with school, so I'll just let it pass that they just hurt me, and go pray for them instead." Nope, in the real world, people get pissed about behavior like that. I hope things go well for the kids that don't leave the Bubble until graduation, but I'm rather glad that I'm hanging out off to the side of the Bubble instead.
I want to be a good Christian, but sometimes, I think it's easier to try to just be a Christian, and not worry about being that crazy conservative Christian, Republican, soft-spoken, cookie-baking, Sunday school teaching, super-mom, pastor's wife that seems to be the ideal. I find I have a better time with my faith when it's okay that I'm loud, and sarcastic, a musician who can't decide if they even want kids, and someone who probably slips up with cuss words far too much for anyone else's comfort zone. I don't pray enough, or read my Bible, but I do try to have a relationship with God. I probably screw it up more than I get it right, but I'll keep trying until I can no longer do so. Having a faith crisis while at a Christian school is probably a bit weird, but then again, maybe not.
~Allison
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Memories
It's amazing to me how soon the most exciting events begin to fade into hazy memories. How soon you can't remember if the time you played wii golf and tried to keep the gigantic golden retriever from attacking the wii-mote was on your 19th or 20th birthday. How very quickly you begin to wonder what memories you share with your friends and family that are really special.
Okay, a brief interlude here to get everyone out there on the same page as I am. It's rainy in Seattle...not drizzle-y like usual, but actually rainy. I've been working like crazy, and have spent a lot of days by myself, doing some interesting self-reflection. I sometimes wonder if I'm a bit crazy, but I actually enjoy these thoughts, even if sometimes they cause a bit of a twinge in my chest. Nonetheless, they aren't always happy thoughts, and if I'm not careful, they have been known to slowly spiral downwards and make me depressed. Rather than let the thought of memories and their significance spiral, I decided it would be a nice change to share some of this reflection with my closest friends and family (I consider you to be if you're reading this because you are taking your time to share something with me...and I'm incredibly honored by that).
So, back to that thought about memories...sometimes I wonder if I should have spent more time doing things that are memorable, or perhaps the real question is this: What have I done to maintain friendships with those people who have been there for some of the biggest moments in my life?
As I've gotten older, I've begun to really cherish the friends I have. The main group of friends that I've made since I've come to college create a group of people that I hope to always keep in contact with. As I come closer to graduation, however, I've begun to worry that I'll repeat my actions of the past, and just shut myself off from those wonderful people with the excuse of moving forward in my life.
I'm jealous of those people around me who go home and hang out with their old high school friends. Reminiscing about the past, talking excitedly about what their future holds, and just generally sharing in an ongoing friendship. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't really try to maintain friendships, and have hardly gone home since I left for college over four years ago. But when I see my friends posting pictures of fun parties, or sharing memories from awesome trips they took, that twinge in my chest occurs, and I wonder if I'm missing out. If I've incidentally messed something up because I don't have things like that to share with my friends. Does facebook count as maintaining friendships? Because part of me definitely feels like it's a hollow excuse for being connected to others.
This may be one of the rare occasions I ask for comments from you guys. Do you have any fantastic memories that stand out between you and I? Or you know, a moment where I opened my mouth and said something stupid and we laughed about it forever(I KNOW you guys all have memories like this).
Merry almost Christmas, guys. I hope you're having a fantastic holiday season, and enjoying the time to spend with friends and family!
~Allison
Okay, a brief interlude here to get everyone out there on the same page as I am. It's rainy in Seattle...not drizzle-y like usual, but actually rainy. I've been working like crazy, and have spent a lot of days by myself, doing some interesting self-reflection. I sometimes wonder if I'm a bit crazy, but I actually enjoy these thoughts, even if sometimes they cause a bit of a twinge in my chest. Nonetheless, they aren't always happy thoughts, and if I'm not careful, they have been known to slowly spiral downwards and make me depressed. Rather than let the thought of memories and their significance spiral, I decided it would be a nice change to share some of this reflection with my closest friends and family (I consider you to be if you're reading this because you are taking your time to share something with me...and I'm incredibly honored by that).
So, back to that thought about memories...sometimes I wonder if I should have spent more time doing things that are memorable, or perhaps the real question is this: What have I done to maintain friendships with those people who have been there for some of the biggest moments in my life?
As I've gotten older, I've begun to really cherish the friends I have. The main group of friends that I've made since I've come to college create a group of people that I hope to always keep in contact with. As I come closer to graduation, however, I've begun to worry that I'll repeat my actions of the past, and just shut myself off from those wonderful people with the excuse of moving forward in my life.
I'm jealous of those people around me who go home and hang out with their old high school friends. Reminiscing about the past, talking excitedly about what their future holds, and just generally sharing in an ongoing friendship. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't really try to maintain friendships, and have hardly gone home since I left for college over four years ago. But when I see my friends posting pictures of fun parties, or sharing memories from awesome trips they took, that twinge in my chest occurs, and I wonder if I'm missing out. If I've incidentally messed something up because I don't have things like that to share with my friends. Does facebook count as maintaining friendships? Because part of me definitely feels like it's a hollow excuse for being connected to others.
This may be one of the rare occasions I ask for comments from you guys. Do you have any fantastic memories that stand out between you and I? Or you know, a moment where I opened my mouth and said something stupid and we laughed about it forever(I KNOW you guys all have memories like this).
Merry almost Christmas, guys. I hope you're having a fantastic holiday season, and enjoying the time to spend with friends and family!
~Allison
Saturday, December 8, 2012
A How To for consumers during the holidays!
My dear, wonderful friends. I adore you all. You are all awesome, amazing people, and I hope that none of you have ever done anything I'm about to discuss. But, after nearly five years, and a whole LOT of different jobs in the retail/service industry, we need to have a talk about how to treat those who are serving you.
Before I get into this, I want to remind you of the biggest thing: those people at the cash registers, folding clothes around the stores in the mall, helping you find the cream of tartar in the grocery store, and waiting your tables are PEOPLE. Wonderful, (mostly) hard-working people who are trying to earn money, and do their job well, and often with less than ideal hours.
Issue #1: Please and Thank You
Remember a long, long time ago, when your parents told you that they wouldn't pass you dessert at the table until you said please? And then when they served you, you had to say thank you? This is still totally in effect, even if you're in your 20s and 30s. That waiter who you just stopped to refill your water glass may actually be racing to get an order in for another table so they won't have to wait for an extra 5 minutes for their food. Smile, and say thank you when they bring stuff to you!
Issue #2: Patience
You walk into your favorite coffee shop, and see that the line is to the door. All of the staff is busting their rear ends to get everything done, which doesn't include just making coffee. They're ringing orders, cleaning the seating area, brewing coffee, dumping overflowing garbage cans, retrieving basic items like milk or syrups. People are racing through their orders at the cash register as though the poor person ringing should remember that they want three half-decaf, soy, no-foam, 16 ounce lattes, but make one with an extra shot, one with a pump of vanilla, and one only 165 degrees, EXACTLY.
Sometimes, things slip up. I'm never more appreciative than when customers see that things are crazy, and something slipped, and their drink ended up with whipped cream when they asked for none, and they're actually okay with it! Did you know that if you actually are nice to your barista/waiter/busser/etc. they'll most likely remember you, and therefore work even harder to be nice to you the next time? And if you're nasty, they'll never forget. And you'll probably go down on some list of people that the employee will cringe when they walk in.
Issue #3: Technology
As an owner of an iPhone, I understand the allure of smartphones. So much information at your fingertips! But when you're having a human interaction (ordering food, purchasing clothes, etc.), that little piece of technology needs to go away. Not maybe, not sometimes, but every time. Ordering food for a friend? Have them write down their order for you, and maybe some options in case they don't have what they want. Please don't stand there on the phone with them, discussing every option while you're at the head of the line making others wait and your server trying their hardest not to roll their eyes at you.
Issue #4: Large Parties
You know how a lot of restaurants automatically charge gratuities for parties of 8 or more? There is good reason. Working with a large party of people who all want exactly what they want, which probably won't at all coincide with what everyone else in the group wants, and can you split the check 5 ways, and do you mind if we pull up another table, and we need extra silverware...tip nicely, guys. Which leads me to:
Issue #5: Tipping
Did you know, in many states, servers are paid under minimum wage because their tips make up much of what they earn? Similarly, most servers and people who work in restaurants live more off of the tips they make than they do on their hourly wage. Also, in case you didn't realize, a base minimum tip should be 10% (based off of the amount your dinner cost after tax). Minimum. And that's only if they did a completely wretched job serving you. 10% tells your server that you have decency, but that they need to step up their work. 15% is good if they've done an okay job, but something may have been wrong, or service was slow. 20% should be what you aim to give. They're doing their very best, even in often less than ideal circumstances. Keep this in mind: much of the time, servers don't get to keep all of their tips. Tips can go into a pool with everyone else's tips, and you get the average based on how many hours you worked, or each server gets their own tips, but has to give a certain percentage of those away to their bussers and the kitchen staff. So if you tip 20%, the server may only get 10-15% of those tips.
And finally, I have a special note to those who stuck with me through this blog. Most of you know that I'm a Christian, and a young adult. I want to share with you something important: the two worst types of people for tipping fairly and treating people with respect and dignity are: Christians and young adults. And guys, this is a huge problem.
Think of it this way: You get done with church in the morning, and you and your friends decide to pop into a cafe to get some coffee and maybe a pastry. You're discussing the sermon when the server comes up (or when it's your turn to order), and you spend a while trying to figure out what to order, but instead of asking them to come back, they stand waiting patiently as each of you figure out what you want. (Doesn't seem like a big deal, right?) They bring back your food and coffee, but accidentally switch a plate or two. You sigh, roll your eyes, and switch them back in front of them, continuing your discussion which has now moved to what kind of worship music would have been appropriate for the service today. You forgot to say thank you, or even smile at your server. When they bring your check, you and your friends have to have it split up, so everyone is paying for their own meal. Only one person has cash, and some people have some coins, so altogether, you've left a $3 tip, mostly in change.
That server has been watching you, and listening. When I notice a customer is a Christian, I pay attention to how they act, and how they treat me. And you know that old proverb, "Actions speak louder than words?" It's completely true.
It's terrible to me that I cringe when I have to work Sunday mornings when we have what's called the "church rush." It makes me sad that people don't realize that their treatment of other people will have a huge impact on whether or not their server will ever want to step foot in their church. And by the way, just because I work Sunday mornings does not make me a heathen. I do it because I make money that way, and it fits my schedule.
So please, please be nice this holiday season. People are working overtime, and they're as tired of dealing with customers as the customers are of shopping. Tip your baristas and servers, and when they ask how you're doing, maybe try genuinely asking how they're doing too! (And smile!)
Allison
Before I get into this, I want to remind you of the biggest thing: those people at the cash registers, folding clothes around the stores in the mall, helping you find the cream of tartar in the grocery store, and waiting your tables are PEOPLE. Wonderful, (mostly) hard-working people who are trying to earn money, and do their job well, and often with less than ideal hours.
Issue #1: Please and Thank You
Remember a long, long time ago, when your parents told you that they wouldn't pass you dessert at the table until you said please? And then when they served you, you had to say thank you? This is still totally in effect, even if you're in your 20s and 30s. That waiter who you just stopped to refill your water glass may actually be racing to get an order in for another table so they won't have to wait for an extra 5 minutes for their food. Smile, and say thank you when they bring stuff to you!
Issue #2: Patience
You walk into your favorite coffee shop, and see that the line is to the door. All of the staff is busting their rear ends to get everything done, which doesn't include just making coffee. They're ringing orders, cleaning the seating area, brewing coffee, dumping overflowing garbage cans, retrieving basic items like milk or syrups. People are racing through their orders at the cash register as though the poor person ringing should remember that they want three half-decaf, soy, no-foam, 16 ounce lattes, but make one with an extra shot, one with a pump of vanilla, and one only 165 degrees, EXACTLY.
Sometimes, things slip up. I'm never more appreciative than when customers see that things are crazy, and something slipped, and their drink ended up with whipped cream when they asked for none, and they're actually okay with it! Did you know that if you actually are nice to your barista/waiter/busser/etc. they'll most likely remember you, and therefore work even harder to be nice to you the next time? And if you're nasty, they'll never forget. And you'll probably go down on some list of people that the employee will cringe when they walk in.
Issue #3: Technology
As an owner of an iPhone, I understand the allure of smartphones. So much information at your fingertips! But when you're having a human interaction (ordering food, purchasing clothes, etc.), that little piece of technology needs to go away. Not maybe, not sometimes, but every time. Ordering food for a friend? Have them write down their order for you, and maybe some options in case they don't have what they want. Please don't stand there on the phone with them, discussing every option while you're at the head of the line making others wait and your server trying their hardest not to roll their eyes at you.
Issue #4: Large Parties
You know how a lot of restaurants automatically charge gratuities for parties of 8 or more? There is good reason. Working with a large party of people who all want exactly what they want, which probably won't at all coincide with what everyone else in the group wants, and can you split the check 5 ways, and do you mind if we pull up another table, and we need extra silverware...tip nicely, guys. Which leads me to:
Issue #5: Tipping
Did you know, in many states, servers are paid under minimum wage because their tips make up much of what they earn? Similarly, most servers and people who work in restaurants live more off of the tips they make than they do on their hourly wage. Also, in case you didn't realize, a base minimum tip should be 10% (based off of the amount your dinner cost after tax). Minimum. And that's only if they did a completely wretched job serving you. 10% tells your server that you have decency, but that they need to step up their work. 15% is good if they've done an okay job, but something may have been wrong, or service was slow. 20% should be what you aim to give. They're doing their very best, even in often less than ideal circumstances. Keep this in mind: much of the time, servers don't get to keep all of their tips. Tips can go into a pool with everyone else's tips, and you get the average based on how many hours you worked, or each server gets their own tips, but has to give a certain percentage of those away to their bussers and the kitchen staff. So if you tip 20%, the server may only get 10-15% of those tips.
And finally, I have a special note to those who stuck with me through this blog. Most of you know that I'm a Christian, and a young adult. I want to share with you something important: the two worst types of people for tipping fairly and treating people with respect and dignity are: Christians and young adults. And guys, this is a huge problem.
Think of it this way: You get done with church in the morning, and you and your friends decide to pop into a cafe to get some coffee and maybe a pastry. You're discussing the sermon when the server comes up (or when it's your turn to order), and you spend a while trying to figure out what to order, but instead of asking them to come back, they stand waiting patiently as each of you figure out what you want. (Doesn't seem like a big deal, right?) They bring back your food and coffee, but accidentally switch a plate or two. You sigh, roll your eyes, and switch them back in front of them, continuing your discussion which has now moved to what kind of worship music would have been appropriate for the service today. You forgot to say thank you, or even smile at your server. When they bring your check, you and your friends have to have it split up, so everyone is paying for their own meal. Only one person has cash, and some people have some coins, so altogether, you've left a $3 tip, mostly in change.
That server has been watching you, and listening. When I notice a customer is a Christian, I pay attention to how they act, and how they treat me. And you know that old proverb, "Actions speak louder than words?" It's completely true.
It's terrible to me that I cringe when I have to work Sunday mornings when we have what's called the "church rush." It makes me sad that people don't realize that their treatment of other people will have a huge impact on whether or not their server will ever want to step foot in their church. And by the way, just because I work Sunday mornings does not make me a heathen. I do it because I make money that way, and it fits my schedule.
So please, please be nice this holiday season. People are working overtime, and they're as tired of dealing with customers as the customers are of shopping. Tip your baristas and servers, and when they ask how you're doing, maybe try genuinely asking how they're doing too! (And smile!)
Allison
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Christmas is coming!
...and the goose is getting fat! Well, this goose isn't getting fat, but she is going to be working a lot for the next few weeks.
The quarter is SO close to being done. I have half of a class worth of theory II finals to grade as a favor to one of my professors (who is currently on a tour in Asia...so cool!), some grades to adjust and put into blackboard for aural skills, and then I'm free! It's been quite the whirlwind of a quarter, and I'm so glad it's over. The realization that I'm a third of the way through my senior year is a bit mind-boggling.
I've also realized that all of those post-college plans I've made for the last few years are basically void. I have absolutely no clue where I'm going to be going after college, or what's going to be happening. Heck, I'm not even sure what's going to be going on in February and March. This year is turning into a long-lasting lesson in living each day as it comes, and not worrying about tomorrow. I'll find out this month if I get to audition for grad schools, then I start buying airline tickets, fly out to different schools, then in March and April find out if I'm even going to get to go to grad school at all. It's incredibly nerve-wracking, and yet, I'm learning peace.
I'm definitely going to enjoy a few weeks away from school. I'm very glad to see that I'm getting to work a lot, though still only part-time, so I'll have plenty of time for making Christmas presents and practicing horn. I finished my shawl that I've been working on for the last few months while spending some time up in Snohomish hanging out with Jordon. Since he's stuck on the couch after an ankle surgery, I got to have plenty of time to work through the long process of binding off somewhere around 350 stitches (the longest part of any shawl, it seems) while he played some Halo.
I've already cast on my next project...my mom's Christmas present :) (Yes, Mom, you're finally getting something hand knit by me! I finally have enough confidence to make you something that I know you'll show off to your friends!) I already purchased a few other presents, and decided to be as simple for all of my family as possible with my Christmas list.
You ready for this extensive list? Here it is:
1. Money to go to paying for my new horn.
Yup, I know. It's huge! (Also, my inner English lover is cringing that I made a list with a 1. but no 2.) But, realistically, I don't need more stuff. I could really use help paying off my horn before I start purchasing plane tickets. Things are looking pretty positive financially right now, though I'm trying to keep living fairly frugally so things stay positive.
I'm very thankful right now for all of my friends who have stuck with me through all of the turmoil this quarter. It's been insane for everyone, and I'm kind of amazed how we all stayed together, even when half our time was spent biting each others' heads off. Overall, I think it turned out rather positively. I still have all my friends, including some of the more awesome best friends a girl could ever ask for. (You know who you are!)
Now I get to go head towards bed because I get to work tomorrow morning first thing! Working all the hours, bringing in all the money!
Allison
The quarter is SO close to being done. I have half of a class worth of theory II finals to grade as a favor to one of my professors (who is currently on a tour in Asia...so cool!), some grades to adjust and put into blackboard for aural skills, and then I'm free! It's been quite the whirlwind of a quarter, and I'm so glad it's over. The realization that I'm a third of the way through my senior year is a bit mind-boggling.
I've also realized that all of those post-college plans I've made for the last few years are basically void. I have absolutely no clue where I'm going to be going after college, or what's going to be happening. Heck, I'm not even sure what's going to be going on in February and March. This year is turning into a long-lasting lesson in living each day as it comes, and not worrying about tomorrow. I'll find out this month if I get to audition for grad schools, then I start buying airline tickets, fly out to different schools, then in March and April find out if I'm even going to get to go to grad school at all. It's incredibly nerve-wracking, and yet, I'm learning peace.
I'm definitely going to enjoy a few weeks away from school. I'm very glad to see that I'm getting to work a lot, though still only part-time, so I'll have plenty of time for making Christmas presents and practicing horn. I finished my shawl that I've been working on for the last few months while spending some time up in Snohomish hanging out with Jordon. Since he's stuck on the couch after an ankle surgery, I got to have plenty of time to work through the long process of binding off somewhere around 350 stitches (the longest part of any shawl, it seems) while he played some Halo.
I've already cast on my next project...my mom's Christmas present :) (Yes, Mom, you're finally getting something hand knit by me! I finally have enough confidence to make you something that I know you'll show off to your friends!) I already purchased a few other presents, and decided to be as simple for all of my family as possible with my Christmas list.
You ready for this extensive list? Here it is:
1. Money to go to paying for my new horn.
Yup, I know. It's huge! (Also, my inner English lover is cringing that I made a list with a 1. but no 2.) But, realistically, I don't need more stuff. I could really use help paying off my horn before I start purchasing plane tickets. Things are looking pretty positive financially right now, though I'm trying to keep living fairly frugally so things stay positive.
I'm very thankful right now for all of my friends who have stuck with me through all of the turmoil this quarter. It's been insane for everyone, and I'm kind of amazed how we all stayed together, even when half our time was spent biting each others' heads off. Overall, I think it turned out rather positively. I still have all my friends, including some of the more awesome best friends a girl could ever ask for. (You know who you are!)
Now I get to go head towards bed because I get to work tomorrow morning first thing! Working all the hours, bringing in all the money!
Allison
Monday, November 19, 2012
The chaos of fall quarter
It never ceases to amaze me how fall quarter always ends up being insane. When school starts up in September, my friends and I often look at each other and ponder how many classes we're taking, and how we took on a lot (probably too much) because we knew how refreshed we would be after nearly four months without classes. You'd think after four years, we would learn. Nope.
You see, fall quarter is very inappropriately named. It starts in the summer, and yes, leaves do fall for a majority of the ten weeks, but by about week four of the quarter, we're already playing Christmas music in band and orchestra. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas music, and I always look forward to playing it; I just never notice fall coming, or going, because we pretty much go from summer to winter overnight.
This leads to the problem: when you load yourself up for this first quarter back after a long rest, you tend to forget that you're setting yourself up for two to three weeks of absolute hell. Those of you on semester systems with dead weeks? We look at you and wish we had that luxury. My last three weeks of this quarter will include (and have included, since we're on week 9) five concerts, three dress rehearsals (not on same day as concert), three weekends of work being disrupted, approximately 80 hours of work, one trip to Canada, two finals, two huge final papers, one musical presentation, and one Black Friday shift that begins at 3:30 AM (plus quite a few other opening shifts, though they pale in comparison to that one).
I may get to Christmas break and just pass out for a week.
I am glad that I get to see my family this week, and have a little spare time to keep working on graduate applications, and work lots of hours to afford said applications. Did you know that graduate applications for music average around $100 an app? Bleh. I am happy to report that two got submitted today, and one is almost ready to go!
I also have officially decided to purchase this horn that I've been play testing, as I really enjoy playing it, and love how it sounds (apparently it makes me sound better than I expected). Money, as always, is tight, but this is a big investment, and I'm willing to work my rear off to be able to afford it. It will also help when I can sell my old horn.
It's a big quarter, and I'm still a little overwhelmed with how much there is to do, but I'm glad to see my to-do list getting shorter every day!
~Allison
You see, fall quarter is very inappropriately named. It starts in the summer, and yes, leaves do fall for a majority of the ten weeks, but by about week four of the quarter, we're already playing Christmas music in band and orchestra. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas music, and I always look forward to playing it; I just never notice fall coming, or going, because we pretty much go from summer to winter overnight.
This leads to the problem: when you load yourself up for this first quarter back after a long rest, you tend to forget that you're setting yourself up for two to three weeks of absolute hell. Those of you on semester systems with dead weeks? We look at you and wish we had that luxury. My last three weeks of this quarter will include (and have included, since we're on week 9) five concerts, three dress rehearsals (not on same day as concert), three weekends of work being disrupted, approximately 80 hours of work, one trip to Canada, two finals, two huge final papers, one musical presentation, and one Black Friday shift that begins at 3:30 AM (plus quite a few other opening shifts, though they pale in comparison to that one).
I may get to Christmas break and just pass out for a week.
I am glad that I get to see my family this week, and have a little spare time to keep working on graduate applications, and work lots of hours to afford said applications. Did you know that graduate applications for music average around $100 an app? Bleh. I am happy to report that two got submitted today, and one is almost ready to go!
I also have officially decided to purchase this horn that I've been play testing, as I really enjoy playing it, and love how it sounds (apparently it makes me sound better than I expected). Money, as always, is tight, but this is a big investment, and I'm willing to work my rear off to be able to afford it. It will also help when I can sell my old horn.
It's a big quarter, and I'm still a little overwhelmed with how much there is to do, but I'm glad to see my to-do list getting shorter every day!
~Allison
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