5/25/2016 9:35 am

I am typing this hoping that the wifi will start working again soon. It has been out since we got back from Seattle. My past few days have been good though! Especially because 2 of my last 3 days I was off work.

On Sunday, I read a lot in the morning while I was waiting for Trevor and Sam to get off of work. Once they did, we took the shuttle down the mountain to a place called Longmire, where there are a lot of trailheads. There is also typically much better weather at Longmire than there is up here at Paradise. We went on a trail that is next to a waterfall at times. So whenever we were close to it, we would climb down and get right next to it, the higher up we got, the better the view. It was beautiful. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to the top because we had to head back down to catch the shuttle.

We went to Seattle on Monday! That was fun. We left here around 8:45 and went to Walmart first. We picked up some things that we realized we needed/wanted before heading to the city. My friend Kellie drove Sam, Kayla, and myself. Kellie had recently been to Seattle with her mom, so she knew to park in Georgetown because it was free parking, and take the bus to downtown. It worked out well, we got off the bus a few blocks away from Pike’s Market. We walked around there for a bit, then found a place to eat lunch that overlooked the water. After lunch, we walked around a little more, then decided to go find the first Starbucks ever. The line was ridiculous. It was out the door and down the street, so we decided to take a picture and find another coffee place. Fueled with coffee, we started shopping. We shopped until we realized we needed to leave pretty soon, given that we had a ~2-2.5 hour drive ahead of us. We made our way back to the bus station, which is underground so that’s cool. Upon arriving back in Georgetown we looked for a place to eat (the finding a place wasn’t difficult, but deciding was. There were so many cute little restaurants.) We finally decided on an Italian place and it was a very good decision. Everything was delicious, we all got something different and passed around plates so we could try everyone’s food. We made our way back to Kellie’s car, and headed back up to Mount Rainier. We didn’t get back until 11:30-11:45, but it was worth it.

Yesterday, I woke up and read a little bit. Oh yeah, I finished that other book I’m reading and I borrowed “The Shining” from Sam so I’m currently reading that. After a couple chapters, I got ready and Sam and I headed to the cafe to visit Trevor and Natalie. We ate lunch, then walked along the road behind the Inn so we could try to see marmots. We saw three! They are about the size of a raccoon, but kind of look like a giant squirrel. They’re pretty cute. I came back to my room and took a nap. The nap was not a decision, it just kind of happened. I woke up and went to work. When I walked in the office to put up my jacket, the head chef, Jack, (aka my boss) was sitting at the computer. He said hello then continued with “oh yeah I wanted to talk to you about something, how do you like dishwashing?” I responded with sugarcoated honesty, expressing my dislike but not excessively so. He then said “would you want to do something else? You seem sharp, and you’re a good hard worker. I don’t want to say it’s a waste…but it’s kind of a waste having you in dishwashing.” Obviously I was thrilled with this conversation. I asked what else I could do and he gave me my options: food prep, expo, or pantry. I chose pantry, the responsibilities of pantry are to make salads and desserts. There are pictures of how they should look, but there is some creative freedom. OH, the best part is that it comes with a pay raise. He wanted me to start pantry then and there. One small thing that made me a little nervous, was that I was the only one working pantry for Tuesday night. Jack assured me that it would be slow and I could do it. The person working pantry for lunch was still there, so he showed me how to set up and the basics and whatnot, then he clocked out. Because Israel helped me set up, I needed to wait for dinner to start. I helped with food prep until I had to go report to pantry. I think it went well, especially because it was my first time working pantry and I was alone. During dinner time, Jack came over and asked if I could make the fruit platter for breakfast, he showed me the picture of this elaborate and beautifully laid out fruit platter and I said I would certainly try. He brought over all the fruit I needed because I was busy with making salads. I followed the picture, and chopped up some cantaloupe and pineapple and honeydew and strawberries. When I was done, Jack and some other kitchen workers gave the approval and some nice comments. Dinner was over so I cleaned everything up, then had to head over to finish all the dishes. I didn’t clock out until 11:10, but I did get to bring home a to go box of steak and mashed potatoes. I work at 3 again today, and I’ll let Jack know that I definitely want to continue with pantry.

Sad thing also happened…the silly band I have had on my wrist since sophomore year of high school is gone. I realized it once I was home last night. I’m guessing it came off when I was taking off some gloves. My wrist feels naked.

5/21/2016 1:36 pm Today has already been a good day and it’s not even 2 pm. Although I do go into work from 3-11 so that could change things. It started just like any other, except with the added uncertainty of when I go into work because the schedule was not posted last night. This led me to waking up, getting dressed for work, and going to breakfast with plenty of time to clock in before 9 am just in case (a common time to begin a shift). When I got into the EDR (Employee Dining Room), I went straight to where the schedule is posted to determine my plans for the day. Turns out, I don’t work until 3pm today, I have the next two days off, and then 3-11pm for the rest of the week. (Not a super great shift but whatever, I get to sleep in or hike in the mornings.) It’s not exactly a pretty day up here today, it’s foggy and misty and cold, so hiking was out of the question for me. This cleared up my day for plenty of reading! My friends and I eat breakfast, and chat about how Trevor feels ill prepared to be making lattes and knows nothing about them. I shared the little bit I do know about espresso based drinks, and they joked about wanting me to work in the cafe. Although, apparently it wasn’t all joking.

We finish breakfast and everyone heads to their jobs, but Kelly and I head to our dorms so I can change, then we walked over to visit the cafe. I ordered a latte and sat and read for a bit, it was nice. While I was there, I observed the dynamic between the managers and the cafe workers (although they do not have a cafe manager because she quit on the second day of work). The managers really seem to respect my friend Natalie’s input when it comes to running the cafe and whatnot. One funny thing I noticed, was when Trevor clocked in, the GM came into the cafe and saw that there were 3 people working and sent this kid Jacob home. Come to find out, the GM and Food and Beverage managers do not like him. They want him to be transferred to another work assignment, but then they would be short staffed in the cafe. I jokingly, but not really jokingly, suggested that they tell the managers to switch Jacob and me, because he wouldn’t have to talk to any guests (he’s not the best at customer service apparently). Natalie and Trevor loved that idea and adamantly said they would talk to the managers about it. Please keep your fingers and toes crossed that the managers go for that idea, because I would LOVE to get switched and work in the cafe with my friends.

After I had spent about an hour or so reading in the cafe, I wandered over to the gift shop where my friend Sam works. We chatted, and I bought a sticker for my laptop. I wanted to wait for her to get her lunch break before I headed to lunch myself, so I made my way to the upstairs of the lobby of the Inn to read some more. The second floor is beautiful. You get a better view of the structure of the inn, as well as the gorgeous hand painted lanterns that are suspended from the ceiling. Not only could I see the lanterns and architectural magnificence from the second floor, I also spotted a guy wearing a UCF sweatshirt. Yes, University of Central Florida. I honestly never expected to see that up here. I knew Sam was about to go on her lunch break, so when I went downstairs to meet her I made sure to give him a “Go knights”. Of course, this led to a conversation. He’s up here for work, in case you were curious. Sam and I went to lunch and discussed plans for the next couple of days. She and Trevor both get off at 3 tomorrow, so we are planning on hiking a trail that starts a little down the mountain once they get off. One of my fellow dishwashers recommended some good trails for us. Then on Monday, Sam, Kelly, and I all have the day off, so we are going to go explore Seattle. I’m very very excited.

After lunch, I helped Trevor carry some supplies back to the cafe, then came back to my room to read some more before work. I came across a passage in my book where a girl is talking about supernovas and how brilliant and powerful and bright they are for such a brief moment, then they’re gone. And honestly, that made me think about how every moment in life is fleeting, and any given moment could be a supernova of life: just a brilliant, powerful moment that can be brighter and happier than any other moment you’ve experienced thus far. The difference (beside the fact that our lives do not consist of exploding stars, duh) is that life supernovas don’t just happen, we have to make them happen. And I really think, and hope, that this summer is going to hold a lot of life supernovas for me.

5/17/16 First thing’s first: Happy birthday dad!! Sorry I didn’t have service to text you all day (and I’m probably going to post this tomorrow morning if I have wifi before I go to work). The wifi here is pretttty terrible. Although I am beginning to appreciate not feeling the need to constantly have my phone or constantly check my phone because I know I won’t have anything. It’s refreshing. However, there are downsides. It is quite difficult to make plans with friends when phones don’t work. We learned that the hard way today.

Today was the first day I could actually see the mountain. There was not a cloud in the sky on my walk to work in the morning. The temperature was perfect, the sun was out, the snow is melting, all in all a perfect day. I was lucky enough to have an 8 hour shift at work on this perfect day, and meanwhile I have friends who went snowshoeing and hiking. BUT I did still have time to take the shuttle down to Longmire with my friends Trevor, Kayla, and Kelly to do some trails down there. We were supposed to meet our friend Natalie down there too, but she wasn’t down there when we arrived so we don’t know what she did. (Reason why phones would’ve come in handy). Nonetheless, we had a great time. We hiked probably around 4.5 ish miles. It is SO nice having people around who appreciate nature and scenery just like I do. I love all my friends back home/Orlando dearly, but it’s lovely to have my comments about nature or the beauty of the sky or trees validated rather than shrugged off. This may be premature, but I really do believe these are friends I’ll keep for quite a while.

I'm going to try to upload some pictures but if they don't work I apologize.

View from my room on a clear day ^ and hiking pictures below:

I helped catch a mouse today.

5/15/16 The day had finally come. And although I was eager to get the trip to Mt. Rainier started, the person above me in the hotel was especially eager for their day, because their pacing or walking or running in their room woke me up around 6 am. I went back to sleep in 30 minute increments until 9, when I finally decided to watch Netflix, for what would most likely be the last time this summer. I realized it was time to get up and moving, so I proceeded to take a shower, call my parents, get packed up and head downstairs. When I arrived to the shuttle, I realized I was one of the last ones there even though I got there 10 minutes before the designated pickup time. Oops, I guess 15 minutes earlier is always a safer bet. Oh well. The driver and I found room in the trailer for my giant suitcase, (although I was relieved when I saw equally giant suitcases already packed) climbed in and sat in the back. I unknowingly climbed in to this shuttle with 5 other people who would become my first friends on this trip.

We begin the ride with small talk and get-to-know you banter, but our first stop at McDonald’s was what really began these friendships. The 6 of us sat together, and as we began feeling more comfortable with one another, the jokes started flowing, and genuine laughter quickly followed. Soon after, we had inside jokes with each other. The next stop was Walmart. And shoutout to fun kid watches for being the source of a great bonding experience with my friend Sam. We raved over the options that they had, and she shared my sadness in the lack of a Captain America watch. Ultimately, I got a Spider-Man watch, and Sam got a Star Wars one. They were the hit of the shuttle on the ride to the next stop, I assure you.

Next, we were driven an hour to a small town Ashford to fill out, like, 20 pages of paperwork. That was really fun. But we also received our uniforms and drug tested. At this point we are all cold (but sometimes really hot because the shuttle had no in between temperature), tired, and hungry. Yes, my sass was very evident at this point. Up until then I was able to keep my sarcasm somewhat in check…that was no longer. It was well received though, thankfully I didn’t lose the 5 friends I made in that tiny little shuttle. From Ashford it was an hour drive to Mount Rainier, we all got out and enter into the employee dining room where we are welcomed by a salad bar and spaghetti. Thankfully, it was delicious.

Today was a lot of hurry up and wait. After we finished eating we met our housing coordinator (who is from Orlando by the way, so that’s cool). It took a while to get everything situated, so we were stuck in the employee dining room for about 2 hours. It’s a good thing we all (from what I can tell and hope) enjoy each others’ company. We joked about how the two dorms were rivals, and we could no longer associate with them. Finally, we went to our dorms. Unfortunately, none of us were placed in a room together, but we are on the same hall. Third floor of Guide House to be exact. There is no elevator, and the stairs are quite steep. Lugging my giant suitcase up the stairs was a fun experience. As of 9:54 pm tonight, I do not have a roommate. I’m all moved in, and the room is still pretty empty. I’m realizing some things I wish I had brought already, and want mailed up (sorry mom and dad). This will be my first experience with community bathrooms yipppeeee!

OH how could I forget. The scenery is absolutely beautiful. It was rainy and foggy and overcast so we couldn’t see everything, but what we could see was incredible. There are mounds of snow lining the sidewalk to my dorm. The trees are HUGE. It’s cold, but good cold. I cannot wait until we have a clear day and will be able to see everything.

Yes, I have only been here for one day but I can honestly say that I have laughed harder than I have in quite a while, I have left my comfort zone behind, and I am loving it. (ps. it took me a while to post this because I couldn't get the wifi to work last night)

Airports and Shuttles and People, Oh my!

Today, I made the journey across the country and am currently typing this in my hotel room in Seattle. The trip here was not too eventful, which is a good thing because eventful travels usually mean something went wrong. So for that, I am thankful. Although the baggage claim was running behind so I had to wait 30 minutes for my bag, and then 20 for the hotel shuttle...but that helps build patience, right? I was reading my book on the flight from Pensacola to Dallas, and the main character was discussing travel:

"I wondered at the connection I felt with airports. Fighting through long security lines and hordes of rushing travelers certainly caused me unease, but, once inside the terminal with time to spare, I was seduced by the magic subtleties of a place that not only seemed to expose the rawest and more emotional sides of people, but cultivated camaraderie among them as well...Most people, forced into the predicament of waiting, seemed to embrace the short-lasting, casual nature of the friendships they forged while passing through an airport." (-Nick Miller)

That passage really explains why, while travel and airports can be stressful, I sincerely love to travel. And today I realized that traveling pulls me out of my shell. I had so many conversations today with a wide variety of people. And I appreciate the brief friendships I made today. Every single conversation led to asking where I was heading, and when I told them about my summer plans, the responses were always positive. Recently, I have been second-guessing my decision to do this. However, when I heard everyones' overwhelmingly excited and positive responses, my worries subsided. Granted, I'll definitely have some butterflies inhabiting my stomach for the next few days, but I no longer question my decision.

So, tomorrow I embark on my bus ride to my future home of 3 months, and I am nervous...but I am pumped.