Second Cup German.

I've noticed over the past two weeks working at Second cup that there are regulars: People that come in every day and order the same thing. Most of the time, the baristas know exactly what to prepare without even hearing a word from the customer. There's one customer that has a custom drink not even on the menu - called a Luigi! However, if you're new like me, sometimes we have to do a little staring match at the cash register before they realize that I'm new and cannot read their minds and before I realize that they're a regular.

This afternoon for example, a man with a heavy accent comes into the shop that I recognize as one of these so-called regulars, but I can't, for the life of me, remember what he ordered last time. I let him know that I've forgotten - adding on to the end of my sentence the fact that I'm still new.

He proceeded to smile and tell me his order, while also asking me my name. (I guess he figures if I'm going to make him a drink from memory, my name is a must). Our conversation proceeded like this:

That's a german name! he says to me.
Yes, it is. My last name is even more so. Krause (said with proper accent). I respond
Sprechen-sie Deutsch?
Ein bisschen. I understand more than I can speak.

He continued to ask me a few questions - both in German and in English - and I struggled to pull the little bit of German I know from the recesses of my brain. Tom, my co-worker served him his double espresso, while I bagged his oatmeal raisin cookie. The man continued to rattle off several questions to me. He even walked over to my boss and told her that we were speaking German. (More like him speaking, me failing).

Before he left the store he said,

Dankeshön Kirstyn.
Bitteshön.

This simple interaction brought a huge smile to my face. Knowing that I'd now made a connection with one of the regulars. This in and of itself made today's shift a successful one.

Trust will be your light tonight - So close your eyes.

Title inspired by a new band I have recently discovered, ok nay - that my brother discovered and then shared with me. It's called Future of Forestry. And it's pretty much amazing, I would recommend it to all y'alls.

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On another note, Summer vacation is well on its way, despite the chilly weather. I went for a walk this morning and was surprised at the biting wind.

My days are composed of work (either at the pool or at Second Cup) as well as what I call French Time. Well, I don't actually call it that, but I figured it needed a name for the purpose of this post. French Time is basically just the time I try to spend every day either learning some new lifeguarding vocab for my summer camp job, reading my french novel Plein Ciel, or watching the news in French. Go ahead and make fun, but I love it.

I also have been spending a lot of time hanging out with friends, and planning a Worship Night that I'm sure you guys will hear about soon enough.

Sometimes I get frustrated when work hinders me from meeting up with people I love, but I figure that's just life. Friends just have to wait sometimes until the shift ends. (I wish it were the other way around.)

That's all.

K

Hates Spam Comments!

I log onto my dashboard today and see that I have 3 new comments that need to be published. (I always screen my comments before they show up on my page).

This screening has served me well considering that all 3 of the comments were spam! WORST!

Man I hate that.

K

Baking Extravaganza

Häfe Kranz is one of my family's favourite desserts. Traditionally, it's a sweet german almond bread, however over the years it has been adapted into a sweet bread filled to the max with raisins and chocolate chips. I'm not quite sure what happened to the almonds. They got lost somewhere in translation.

Anyways,

I had a bit of free time on my hands this weekend and thought that I'd take on the challenge of making one of these beauties. I first took on this challenge about two years ago, however the one I made this weekend tops the last one by a mile.

I took some pictures so you can see what a whiz I am in the kitchen. Please keep the drool to a minimum. I know you want a piece.

I am a working girl, I get things done.

I officially started my job at Second Cup today. It was a three hour training shift where I learned how to use the lovely touch screen cash registers, along with learning how to make you a cup of delicious coffee, or tea. My heart rate must have gone up a few notches during the shift, as I frantically tried to remember all of the buttons to press on that small screen. It's pretty straight forward, but it's difficult when you're dealing with real people who would like their coffee right.
There were several times where I fumbled up, only to apologize with a sheepish grin and explain "I'm in training, today's my first day." I must say that everyone was incredibly understanding. I've discovered that listening to what the customer wants is key. It's gets difficult when they order 3 or 4 different things, and all of them have different modifications - skim, no whip, extra hot.

I'm assuming I'll work a few more weeks before they even get me started on the barista machine - making lattes and cappuccinos and espresso, which by the way, looks about 15 times harder than pressing a button down on a pot of coffee.

All in all, it was a successful shift.
I now have 2 jobs. One at the pool, and one at a coffee shop. I'm blessed.

K


*In reference to the title, you may just want to check out NEWWORLDSON band

Flowers

As I told you before, my mom bought me a beautiful bouquet of tulips on my birthday. They sat in my room for over a week, and I admired their beauty every day.

I think the reason why I love the idea of receiving flowers is the simple fact that they don't last forever. Therein lies their value. They're precious because they can only be admired so long before they fade. You need to make time to care for them, to smell their scent, take in their sweetness. They don't wait for you to do so, and if you wait too long, you've missed out.

They can't be taken for granted.

Birthday.

Last year on this day I was invited to Glendon for the Spring Gala and for the Scholar's breakfast. I sat at a table with the dean of Glendon college and ate breakfast with him and a room full of other potential Glendon students.

I was taken on a tour of the school and I remember how much I anticipated going to Glendon.

I remember what also accompanied the day: My 18th birthday, dinner with the family, The Sound of Music downtown, getting accepted to Explore.

I can't believe how quickly the year has passed. Here I am again. On my birthday. I spent several hours studying for my psych exam. I had lunch with the pops at Panara. My mom bought me tulips. I got many birthday wishes. Got to blow out birthday candles. Not to mention that the weather was gorgeous! I don't think I've ever had weather like this before for my birthday.

And as soon as I finish my exam on Wednesday and hand in my paper, I'll be ushering in a weekend full of partying, shopping, and celebrating.

I'm really looking forward to the summer, for many diverse reasons.

K

It's definitely spring.

I Need to change my blog picture.