Training

Last week I had training at RC Georgetown. To be honest, it isn't very aesthetically pleasing on the outside (it used it be an old factory) but it is beautiful on the inside. Georgetown is SUCH a cute area, I must go back and enjoy it.  We received training on Mama Mio products, which I am now pretty excited about.  And the best part about it?  The representative gave us all a free product of our choice!  I hope I picked the most expensive one. ;)  I just got it today and can't wait to use it, after I've used it for a while, I'll tell you how it is! (maybe)

Happy Weekend Everyone.

And the award goes to...

One of the many things that are admirable about Wolfgang, is that he loves his job.  Ever since he did his apprenticeship training as a teenager, he knew he wanted to be in the Hospitality and Tourism industry, and has never looked back since.

On a regular basis, he is always getting compliments from guests in person and on hotel surveys of how helpful he was, etc, which he takes great pride in.  Sometimes his "going above and beyond" personality is, quite honestly, inconvenient or annoying (like him doing a guest's laundry, in our washer and dryer last night at around 11:00pm...that will NOT be happening ever again, by the way. )  but generally, his hard work and dedication is something to look up to.

With that said, he was awarded "Supervisor of the Quarter"  on Monday!  I'm very happy for him, and the nice little bonus is not too bad either.

I'm honored to be married to someone who is a hard worker that takes his work seriously.   

Facial

The perks about working at a Spa, is that you get free or deeply discounted treatments.

This past thursday while at work, one of my "leads" asked, "have you received any treatments yet?" Me: "no." Her: "well, we need to get you in on them soon, so you know what you are talking about! (when 'selling' it to the guests)"

Next thing I know, I'm on the reservations system for two hours later. Yep- I got a facial for free ($162 value. I know, crazy expensive, right?) and pretty much got paid to get it too, because it was while I was clocked in at work!

And let me tell you, it was fantastic. It even came with a little foot and hand treatment as well. It was sooo relaxing. I had never had a facial before so I have nothing to compare it to, but regardless, it was very nice.

Supposedly, I have 3 more free treatments to partake of, at least one of them being a massage.

It didn't take much for me to be content with this job.

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.

A little something to show you what I've been up to at work lately:

{Can you see me??}



Yep, I got to play "dress up" with the General Manager of our hotel last week.

More details later; I was at work for 14 1/2 hours today, and I'm ready for bed. Happy Friday!

Cupcake.

Alright people, today is a monumental day.

Today marks the first day I've ever had a "specialty cupcake" {aka a ridiculously priced fancy pants cupcake}


...and it was amazing.

I was one of those people who would judge other people who fell into the trap of paying a pretty penny for a stupid cupcake. I thought, "it can't possibly be that good." Oh, but was I so wrong.

Today at work I had the pleasure of eating a glorious cupcake from 'Nothing Bundt Cakes.' One of the departments had them, and had extras...so some co-workers and I scurried on over and had one.


The icing was amazing; don't ask me what kind of icing. Not to mention I'm kinda an icing snob. Moving on, the cake itself was lemon (big score right there) and as I bit into its deliciousness, I was surprised by the raspberry filling! {our exact wedding cake: lemon and raspberry}


It couldn't have gotten any better.

The quality was definitely there. Think I'm being ridiculous? Well, I guess you'll just have to try one and see for yourself.

I plan on taking Wolfgang and my prego friend there, I hope they fall in love like I did. Although I'm scared to see how much one of those suckers actually costs...

It made my day.

Warning: the following post contains some bragging.

Alright I'm sorry, but I have to brag about, well, myself.

About 2 months ago or so, I went "above and beyond" and did something really nice for a guest. Without giving you every little detail and making this longer than it needs to be, let's just put it this way: incident happens, I have a nice little package sent to a guest's room for a kid, which, in order to make complete, I go out of my way to buy something little extra at Target. I see family the next day, they are incredibly nice and complimentative (not a word? I don't care) and even send me a nice and sincere card.

A few days later, my manager shares my story at a meeting with the rest of the other managers/leaders of the hotel.

Now fast forward to today. My manager comes back from her meeting, beaming and so excited to talk to me. She informs me that in the meeting, a new manager over the Sales & Marketing department had shared a story.

The other day, he was giving a property tour to a representative of a multimillion dollar company. The rep puts him on the spot and says, "Ok, tell me why I should pick your hotel to host our meetings (event, etc.)? What sets you a part from the others?" The employee said he was cut off guard by the question, but then quickly remembered, my customer service story. He proceeds to tell the story to the potential client, and the client is very impressed and touched. After this scenario, the client sends the employee an email or card, thanking him for the visit and tour, and then proceeds to say that he is going to tell his boss (did I mention multimillion dollar company, boss?!) about the story, I mean, my story.

Isn't that SO COOL?! It made me so proud and just smile ear to ear. It helped me realize that even though I'm just a Recreation Attendant, I can actually make a small impact in my work place. I'm not just a worthless pool girl!

And that my friends, is what made my day today.

Real Job?

Today I had to do something new at my job. I was in charge of the night activity at this small facility for kids and families, which on Friday nights happen to be the "Pajama Party," which consists of eating in one of the resort's restaurants, making/stuffing a simple pillow, and watching a movie.

Well, needless to say no one signed up for it, which was kind of expected for this slow weekend.

So what did this mean? I got paid to play on an iPad and watch movies by myself {in A/C!!} for 3 hours.

Not bad, huh?

I think all of a sudden I am temporarily ok with not having a "real job" right now.

Almost?

Yesterday when I got into work, I had apparently just missed Matthew Perry soaking up some rays.

Although, this information did come second-hand from a food server from Jamaica who had no idea who he was {yet was supposedly serving him}, or had never in her life heard of 'Friends'; therefore, the validity is to be determined.

Therefore, yesterday will be deemed "The day that I almost saw Matthew Perry in real life, but it may not have really been him after all" -day.

A few things lately

Ok, so I already realize this post may not be that exciting- I apologize in advance.

So here are a few things that have happened/realized/whatever in the last week.

1- I never drink 7up, Sierra Mist, etc. I think it is a waste of a soda, and totally boring. The weird thing is though, that I now officially love it on my lunch break at work! Really weird. Here's my explanation of why: While working, I drink enough water to hydrate a large camel. When lunch comes around, I want to taste something different, but don't want to be bogged down and dehydrated by a real soda, so instead I drink a cup of Sierra Mist. Yep, me in the employee cafeteria- one cup water, one cup Sierra Mist, and I'm a happy girl.

2- I've already got bad tan lines on my arms from work. lame. It's only going to get worse...

3- For those of you who have me on facebook, I'm sorry but I'm sharing this again here {copy and paste, thank YOU!} This is what I discovered today: The mind and body is truly an incredible thing. In a short amount of time, mine has figured out when to wake up when I get close to the bus stop that I need to get off at. Genius!

4- Every woman needs to own a cute black dress. {There's a quote like that somewhere, right?} Well, I bought mine the other day. My (and Wolfgang's) current favorite store is Banana Republic (outlet! duh). Well of course they lured me in with store wide everything 40% off sale, and in addition I got a 20% entire purchase coupon through my email. They sure are good at their advertising!

Needless to say I found a really cute dress, and I can't wait to wear it and act fancy. I'm convinced I need to buy shoes to go with it though...

5- Marriott pays their employees double when they work on "legit" holidays, and also on your birthday, but there's a catch- you have to have worked for them for over 90 days. Too bad Labor Day and my birthday fall during those 90 days. I was really looking forward to getting paid extra mula on my birthday. Oh well!

That is all, for today.

Om Nom.

Remember when I was all domestic for about a week? Yeah, that was fun. I'm still trying to learn how to gain motivation to do anything after being outside and on my feet at work full time. This dang heat is exhausting! I'd rather be working in it than bitter cold, though.

Well, from that week, tonight I decided to make again those 'No Bake Energy Bites.'

They are sooo good.

The job.

I've worked several days at my job now, and it's going pretty well. The first day was pretty bad; let's just say first day at work + 1,200 frat boys = not a great day.

Each day gets better and better. So far my highlight has been when I had to 'work' IN the pool which consisted of chillaxing and blowing a whistle for a part of my shift. It was fantastic.

I do however feel like an old woman at my job. I'm older than many {most?} of my co-workers, and my feet KILL by the end of the day, and I also have bad shin splints from walking on concrete for 8 hours. Is my body already starting to deteriorate?! That's depressing.

Sometimes I feel frustrated or maybe even a little upset because this job is something I would be doing while in high school, but right now I'm just trying to focus on the fact that I'm very very grateful I finally have a job: an income and something to do(!), and that's all that matters right now, and to go on from here. I'd like to pretend that I'm suppose to learn something from this, and that better things are in store for me in the near future.

Monumental.

Today marks the first time ever where I have gotten my uniforms for a new job...and they actually fit. It was kinda weird. I'm happy about it.

Thanks Marriott, I like you already.

FINALLY.

Yesterday I had a job interview, and I was hired on the spot!

I am finally employed!!

It's been a long almost 8 months. I lost track of how many applications I have submitted, but the last time I counted was 75, and that was a couple of months ago.

Unemployment is stressful, frustrating, and among other obnoxious and very unhealthy things. The job isn't a career or anything of what I want to see myself doing in the future, but a job is a job right now, and I'm very happy.

I have been humbled by unemployment, and I now have a new understanding and a heck of a lot of compassion for those who are also struggling in this awful economy. For anyone else that is going through what I had to, all I have to say is...NETWORKING! I was annoyed when people would tell me this, especially when I didn't know anyone to network with. But in the end, I'm fully convinced this is the only reason I got this job, thanks to my husband and his connections.

Oh, and I will be working for the lovely Marriott International. Sound familiar? Just maybe...