Manahmanah

It really wasn't meant to be. I mean, our love. A guest came into iCafe and I won't lie, he swept my heart away at first glance. And glances were exchanged I tell you that now. I bet you're shocked, thinking I've gone a little too far this time, but trust me...you didn't see him. He was beautiful. Dark almond shaped brown eyes, short spiky black hair, clear complexion...really a dream. He would look at me and smile this brilliant smile, and my heart melted every time. When I would walk past, he would turn his head and follow me with his eyes, very flirtatious! Finally I couldn't take it, and I went up to him and asked him if I could help him...he only smiled then coyly casually dropped his napkin on the floor. I picked it up for him, and he gave me that smile again. Then he started to stand up out of his high chair, so his mom picked him up and took him to the restroom to change him.
Sigh.
The title says it all...we play Christmas music all day now, everyday and its never ending. Guests ask me why, and I have no good reason for them...I hum along to O holy night for 30 minutes, then we switched it up to Carol of the Bells, plus some random piano add ins from a different song entirely.

You know, work is only hard when its un-enjoyable...I mean, yes hard work is hard work and you can get tired from it...but working when you love it seems easy. I really enjoy food service because of the rush, the demand, the motion. There's also lulls and quiet times to balance it out too, which is good. However, when the restaurant is really buzzing, and we are doing an elaborate dance to keep tables neat, drinks filled, checks delivered and customers happy, my adrenaline gets pumping and life seems exhilarating. I love the accomplishment of surviving a swarm of guests, while things are functioning well enough to keep up, and when I'm not tired. (obviously) Its a thrill, its exhausting and its just what I need to feel. Dead tired. After a long shift its sitting, drinking tea or watching tv after is all I can muster until the next shift, and that's how I prefer it.  That is until its been about six days, and I want a break. Of course!

I would like to tell you about our Executive Chef, Nicholas Blair. He grew up in Australia, but of Malaysian descent, a commanding presence that can quiet a room simply by walking in. My first week at Shangri-La was spent avoiding his intimidating gaze, and a stuttering introduction. He made the first move thankfully, and approached our party (by party I mean just the four girls...it was a somber party if otherwise) and introduced himself. I would describe him as shark-like. He walks into the kitchen and his staff dissipates into thin air. He is maybe a foot shorter than his colleagues, but his height doesn't affect the self composed nature he possesses innately.
I must say my anxiety about talking to him disappeared by our first conversation, as he made himself coffee and joked with me. Also, mainly when he had to wear a tall paper chefs hat at a luau type event, that he was obviously not thrilled about having on. I barely said hello (with a not so well disguised grin of delight at his predicament) he shushed me and told me not to even mention it. At dinner he'll chat with our group making funny observations about our guests and staff, and make fun of us for eating at the hotel again. Its nice to have someone in the kitchen to talk freely to, and joke around with who knows what I'm joking around with about...yeah. That made sense right?

Also, I attended a Chinese track and field day. Let me say its just as funny as attending any job hosted field and track day, complete with either very well muscled athletic people, or noodly, girly people. That also means by running and doing the 'long jump', the girls halfheartedly shuffled down the run way and did a little skip hop into the sand. Usually a whopping two inches from the edge. Hilarious. But fun was had by all, and we had a great excuse to sit outside in the sun for a few hours. I cheered on the F&B group with Heather, and Tricia and Sarah cheered on front office. I really enjoyed being out with my friends and yelling along with the other colleagues to get the contestants pumped up and run their little hearts out!

Also also, I usually go up to Rani, pronounced differently each time I say it, and sing some random song to her in a high pitched voice. She usually tilts her head to the side quizzically and shakes her head with a small smile.