What an amazing past few weeks.
In the previous blog I said that I was waiting to hear back about a job that would be perfect... I heard back from them, and as most of you know I got the job! Today was my second day there and I'm seriously so excited for what my life going forward is looking like.
So first to explain the job. I am the manager of the upper school (high school) restaurant at the Latin School of Chicago. Call me Lunch Lady Leo, except please don't. If anyone has seen Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, which I was obsessed with when it was on TV, you'll understand exactly what the food system at this school is like. Everything is made in house with fresh, organic ingredients which are obtained through local sources whenever possible. They have an executive chef, a sous chef, a pastry chef, and a small army of other cooks at their disposal to feed the three different schools on site. This school does everything in house; they make their own yogurt, pickle their own kimchi and sauerkraut, and bake ever pastry they sell. This year they will be switching all of their sandwich bread (which they used to buy from a local organic provider) to sourdough bread made on site by the pastry team. My job is to maintain the front of house for the Upper School location, and help to educate the student body (and faculty) of the importance of eating the food being prepared in our kitchens rather than leaving to grab McDonalds for lunch. My boss and the executive chef share a food mentality so similar to my own I get far too excited while talking about them.
I've long felt that many of the problems we face as a nation could be fixed with proper nutrition and adequate education regarding the food system. Working in the public school system for the last 3 years I was frequently frustrated by the junk the "kitchen" there tried to pass off as food. I feel so privileged to be a part of this program, which is growing every year, because I feel like I'm finally helping to make the change needed.
The job is something I was passionate about before I even applied, and now that I'm in on the ground floor I couldn't be happier. It also helps that the salary I'm earning is enough to live off of. I won't be needing help from my parents, I won't be living paycheck to paycheck... I'm going to be comfortable financially for the first time since I was still living with my parents. I can't express how amazing that feels.
I've been in Chicago for almost 2 months now, and already I can tell you it was the best decision I could have made. I'm having the weird experience of everything just kind of working out. I'm happy. Really really happy.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Sunday, August 4, 2013
What a Difference a {Year} Makes.
Wow, this blog certainly got away from me... It's been far too long since I've gotten around to posting something, and clearly things have changed drastically.
I didn't finish my NM Bucket List, which I'm okay with. The last few months of my time there got hectic and it just didn't happen. But I got quite a bit done, and I look forward to finishing some of the other goals when I go home for visits!
The big change of course has been living in Chicago. The move was simultaneously a piece of cake, and insanely difficult. Saying good bye wasn't easy, especially to a few specific people, and there are still times when I can't help but feel I'm missing out on some amazing things by having left them. I still don't know too many people here, and certainly don't have a core group of friends yet that I am as close to as the closest of my NM friends. Makes for a few lonely moments here and there. That's part of it though. I'll make friends, and will still get to see my old ones occasionally too.
The actual physical relocation was pretty darn easy. I found a great apartment a few blocks away from where my sister lives. It's in a great neighborhood a little further from downtown than I'd like, but it's a quick bus ride to get to anywhere you'd like to go! I'll post pictures on Facebook eventually.
So far the only area I'm really struggling with is the job situation. Working for Starbucks has actually been a lot of fun, but the pay is far from adequate... Surprise! And job hunting feels like a constant lesson in how inadequate you are as a person. I've one more full week at Starbucks left before I switch over to temping in the hopes of landing a permanent job... UNLESS. I did have an interview this past Friday for a job I really hope I get. Logistically the pay would be enough for me to finally live comfortably, something I've been aching to have for a long time. But beyond that, the job is something I feel I'd be well suited for, and would have a strong passion for. I won't go into detail here, as I'm doing my best to not get my hopes up. The interview went well, and I think I have a decent shot at getting the job, but thinking about it gets me really excited and I'm trying to not set myself up for major disappointment. I find out this week if I get the job. If I do I'll post a blog about it.
The move has led to a lot of great moments, and a handful of really hard ones. It has led me to reflect quite a bit on how different my life looks from just a year ago. It was basically one year ago today that my life changed in almost every way imaginable. I can't help but feel amazing about what I've done in response to that. P90X, a new found focus on my voice, the move to Chicago... all of these things have led me to a place that I wouldn't have ever seen myself in a year ago. And I'm happy for that. Hopefully this upcoming week will yield amazing news on the job front. If it does my life in Chicago can finally take root.
I didn't finish my NM Bucket List, which I'm okay with. The last few months of my time there got hectic and it just didn't happen. But I got quite a bit done, and I look forward to finishing some of the other goals when I go home for visits!
The big change of course has been living in Chicago. The move was simultaneously a piece of cake, and insanely difficult. Saying good bye wasn't easy, especially to a few specific people, and there are still times when I can't help but feel I'm missing out on some amazing things by having left them. I still don't know too many people here, and certainly don't have a core group of friends yet that I am as close to as the closest of my NM friends. Makes for a few lonely moments here and there. That's part of it though. I'll make friends, and will still get to see my old ones occasionally too.
The actual physical relocation was pretty darn easy. I found a great apartment a few blocks away from where my sister lives. It's in a great neighborhood a little further from downtown than I'd like, but it's a quick bus ride to get to anywhere you'd like to go! I'll post pictures on Facebook eventually.
So far the only area I'm really struggling with is the job situation. Working for Starbucks has actually been a lot of fun, but the pay is far from adequate... Surprise! And job hunting feels like a constant lesson in how inadequate you are as a person. I've one more full week at Starbucks left before I switch over to temping in the hopes of landing a permanent job... UNLESS. I did have an interview this past Friday for a job I really hope I get. Logistically the pay would be enough for me to finally live comfortably, something I've been aching to have for a long time. But beyond that, the job is something I feel I'd be well suited for, and would have a strong passion for. I won't go into detail here, as I'm doing my best to not get my hopes up. The interview went well, and I think I have a decent shot at getting the job, but thinking about it gets me really excited and I'm trying to not set myself up for major disappointment. I find out this week if I get the job. If I do I'll post a blog about it.
The move has led to a lot of great moments, and a handful of really hard ones. It has led me to reflect quite a bit on how different my life looks from just a year ago. It was basically one year ago today that my life changed in almost every way imaginable. I can't help but feel amazing about what I've done in response to that. P90X, a new found focus on my voice, the move to Chicago... all of these things have led me to a place that I wouldn't have ever seen myself in a year ago. And I'm happy for that. Hopefully this upcoming week will yield amazing news on the job front. If it does my life in Chicago can finally take root.
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