Pumpkin roll hill. Should I slide down the left side or the right?
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Off to School. Off to School.....
When does the first day of anything go smoothly? I had plenty of sleep, woke up early, had breakfast, put my uniform on (black business suit, white CRISP blouse, hose and black heels... BE JEALOUS), grabbed my bags and was out the door. By the time I got to the car my hose were falling down and my skirt was all twisted! It's not like I had a mile walk either!!!
I then rushed to Marcs down the road, ran in to find a clerk who had no idea what hose were. Explaining that I was looking for stockings, I grabbed 2 packs and made a B-line to the check out. Standing among along of annoyed customers I found out the computer system was down. LUCKY ME! I threw them $10 not asking for change or a recipt and I was on my merry way to Starbucks for a cup of coffee. Yep, thats right! I spent $10 for 2 pairs of the worst hose ever.
After my scenic drive into Chargrin I got out of the car to see my class of 17 looking the same. Reminded me of grade school and high school, wearing a uniform for 12 years, looking like everyone else. I guess not a bad thing. The day went very well and we all had the same complaint, HOSE IS THE DEVIL! We had our first photo together as session 106. aww precious!
The most important thing discussed that day was how we would take part in the annual pumpkin roll done by the senior class in the middle of the night! Any idea WHO insisted that we can part?!?! Apparently the senior class steals/buys pumpkins, hides them in a secret location, throw them down this HUGE hill which goes right into downtown. They then slide down the hill in all of the mush.
Second day of school I was the last one into class, which is very unlike me. I am like my father, 10 minutes early for most things. Our first class was about infants, which I've had more than enough experience in thanks to the "Sisters". All in all things are going great! The girls are of all ages, from all over and very entertaining.
Third day of school I went to Panera for a bagel and coffee. I had 2 women approach me because I still had the sticker on my new pants. Crossing my fingers the 2nd week of school will run a little smoother!
I then rushed to Marcs down the road, ran in to find a clerk who had no idea what hose were. Explaining that I was looking for stockings, I grabbed 2 packs and made a B-line to the check out. Standing among along of annoyed customers I found out the computer system was down. LUCKY ME! I threw them $10 not asking for change or a recipt and I was on my merry way to Starbucks for a cup of coffee. Yep, thats right! I spent $10 for 2 pairs of the worst hose ever.
After my scenic drive into Chargrin I got out of the car to see my class of 17 looking the same. Reminded me of grade school and high school, wearing a uniform for 12 years, looking like everyone else. I guess not a bad thing. The day went very well and we all had the same complaint, HOSE IS THE DEVIL! We had our first photo together as session 106. aww precious!
The most important thing discussed that day was how we would take part in the annual pumpkin roll done by the senior class in the middle of the night! Any idea WHO insisted that we can part?!?! Apparently the senior class steals/buys pumpkins, hides them in a secret location, throw them down this HUGE hill which goes right into downtown. They then slide down the hill in all of the mush.
Second day of school I was the last one into class, which is very unlike me. I am like my father, 10 minutes early for most things. Our first class was about infants, which I've had more than enough experience in thanks to the "Sisters". All in all things are going great! The girls are of all ages, from all over and very entertaining.
Third day of school I went to Panera for a bagel and coffee. I had 2 women approach me because I still had the sticker on my new pants. Crossing my fingers the 2nd week of school will run a little smoother!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
I follow the camera
This is the segment that aired on Nightline back in July. Just an idea of where I will be spending my time and what I will be learning.
After the episode aired I recieved this text message from my oldest brother...
"You are going to nail the self defense class. You can thank me later!"
~Jonathon
Monday, September 5, 2011
The Big Blue T
Working at Taggarts for the last 10 years has always been good for my social skills. Waiting on so many different types of people, who they were meeting for ice cream, correcting some of them for calling me ma'am instead of miss, what the latest news is with the grandkids, even listening to the good/bad days they've had or even their history with the 80 year old restaurant.
I have been invited to family dinners, vacations, asked to marry their son or even why I wasn't married myself, introduced as "your dad's waitress" at calling hours for a favorite customer, I've had people chase me down to ask my nationality because of my curly hair, but my favorite of all has been "WOW! You've worked here a long time haven't you?!"
But there is always a downside. like walking past a group of people downtown during a First Friday to hear someone yell out "TAGGARTS GIRL" or being out of my element seeing a familiar face wondering where I know them from. OH YES, THAT'S RIGHT! I waited on that person last night as they gushed over how delicious the peanut butter fudge ice cream was with hot fudge, caramel, and pecans!
All in all, this 10 year ride has been an enjoyable one. I have been lucky enough to work for such great owners and work with amazing coworkers who have become great friends. Not very often was there ever a day I hated going to work. Every shift was different from the next, more laughs, different interesting customers, never a dull moment.
Having customers inquire about what was going on in my life sometimes threw me for a loop. I babysit and work, nothing really changes. Once I started spreading the word about school I was amazed as to how many people were excited about my new adventure, who knew about the school, or who knew people who had/were nannies. It was a a very big sigh of relief that everyone couldn't wait to see where I would end up and what kind of family I was with. This was the little push I needed from customers, coworkers, and owners to know I was doing the right thing for myself.
I have been invited to family dinners, vacations, asked to marry their son or even why I wasn't married myself, introduced as "your dad's waitress" at calling hours for a favorite customer, I've had people chase me down to ask my nationality because of my curly hair, but my favorite of all has been "WOW! You've worked here a long time haven't you?!"
But there is always a downside. like walking past a group of people downtown during a First Friday to hear someone yell out "TAGGARTS GIRL" or being out of my element seeing a familiar face wondering where I know them from. OH YES, THAT'S RIGHT! I waited on that person last night as they gushed over how delicious the peanut butter fudge ice cream was with hot fudge, caramel, and pecans!
All in all, this 10 year ride has been an enjoyable one. I have been lucky enough to work for such great owners and work with amazing coworkers who have become great friends. Not very often was there ever a day I hated going to work. Every shift was different from the next, more laughs, different interesting customers, never a dull moment.
Having customers inquire about what was going on in my life sometimes threw me for a loop. I babysit and work, nothing really changes. Once I started spreading the word about school I was amazed as to how many people were excited about my new adventure, who knew about the school, or who knew people who had/were nannies. It was a a very big sigh of relief that everyone couldn't wait to see where I would end up and what kind of family I was with. This was the little push I needed from customers, coworkers, and owners to know I was doing the right thing for myself.
In the beginning...
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be where I am now in my life: embarking on a new journey with endless opportunity. After a whirlwind year, and what seems like an endless countdown, I am ecstatic to say I will soon be attending nanny school in Chagrin Falls.
I started babysitting when I was 12 and have watched the kids of my neighbors, dentist, family friends, brothers coaches, boss's grandchildren, childhood babysitters, and even friends of friends. I have experienced bee stings, being peed on, endless tears, sleep overs, runaway dogs, pillow fights, dance parties, stitches, fights, time-outs, sickness, being locked out of houses, etc. When Tara is in change, there is never a dull moment!!
I graduated from St. Thomas in 2002 and waited a semester to start college. I took my time and was only taking 3 classes a semester so I could concentrate on my grades. Working and babysitting become a larger priority. Finishing school was always in the back of my mind, when I was meant to finish, I would. Until one day My fairy Godmother told me about a newspaper article she read about a local girl who attended a nanny school close by. "Tara Annie, this is you! You need to do this, you would be great at it!" For years it was in the back of my mind, but I was dedicated to the kids who had my heart.
Early fall of 2010 I was dating a guy at the time who wanted to go away to school, which then sort of pushed me to go to nanny school. Lets face it, if things progressed would he really be ok with me being a waitress and babysitter? I started to inquire more about nanny school and broke to news to my parents that this is what I wanted to do. My parents, as well as my brothers and the rest of my family and friends, supported me a hundred percent and thought it was a great idea. We went on a school visit and that was all I needed. This is what I wanted to be doing with my life! I filled out tons of forms and had a final interview January 2011 (of course Taggarts ice cream was involved). After arriving back into the office I was greeted the director of the school telling me I was officially accepted into their school. I WAS BEYOND EXCITED! I was burning up my phone on the way home to share with all of my family and friends.
Breaking the news to my current employers was a little difficult. I knew they would support any decision I made, we've had a long run together! There was a certain 7 year old, Miss Sassy Pants, who I have been with since the day she was born that I was terrified to break the news to. She and I have an amazing relationship, but telling her that I was moving away was very difficult for me and for her parents to deal with. These long 9 months have had a lot of tears but we will both get through it.
So here I am……I have my passport, uniform, school supplies, and the countdown is finally dwindling. I am ready to make the move to Cleveland to learn things I don't already know, and in the end be placed with an amazing family who will appreciate me as much as the ones I am leaving already do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)