early breakfast

it was a saturday morning i had woken up around 8 am, i had gotten in the shower and began ufo get ready to go eat some breakfast with the family. me and my dad where already ready by 9 but like always we had to wait for my mom to get ready because she always takes a long time to get ready. my dad and i were sitting on the couch when i heard my stomach growl and thats when i started to rush my mom to hurry up so we can leave because we were hungry. we left the house around 9:45 am  it was about time. so we end up going to Leo's which is a Mexican breakfast place, as soon as we entered to could smell the food and it smelled good. just by the smell my mouth got watery.

i was ready to start eating as soon as they sat us down i went to get my plate, i got green enchiladas, beans, rice, and egg and ham. that was just my first plate but man did it taste good. after that plate i went to get some pancakes and some oatmeal, this breakfast was hitting the spot and taste so good. me and my dad were eating good while my mom was still on her first plate so we knew we where going to have to wait a while for her to still get to desert.

once i got to desert i got arros con leche, and sopapias which are mexican deserts, then of course i went for seconds and got some fruit with yogurt. i stuffed my self but once i got full i couldn't even look at food anymore because i would get grossed out but this happens every time i get full i can't look at food because then i get grossed out. me and my dad had to wait a while for my mom to finish but i was nothing new because she is always the last one to finish eating when we eat. we tried to hurry her up but she got mad and we just stayed quite. so now i just waited for the rest of my saturday to happen.

Lunch Rush

The restaurant is small. The maximum occupancy is probably around 50 people. That doesn't stop the building from being stuffed to the brim. I am seated by a woman near the back of the store by the kitchen. The main food served here is Mexican. It is renowned all around town so that explains how busy the place is. The staff that I can see (not kitchen) contains about 6 people, including the manager/owner, who is waiting tables and cleaning.

Mr. Owner, from what I can see, enjoys being familiar with the customers. He engages several of the tables in small talk about their lives. He is a short man with a minimal hair count. His shirt is stained a few times with Chile. Even though this place is very busy he still finds the time to mix in with the customers.

Alberta. I am seated by a large woman with long black hair and a positive attitude. She is waiting on this quartile section of the building. She is friendly and does not appear to be tiring with the shift time.

The table to the right of me has a group of three woman. Two of the woman, Jane and Jen, are wearing pantsuits and colorful blouses. The last woman, Lafawn, is sitting opposite the others. She has on a blue dress and her hair is up into a bun. They all look similar, they could be sisters. Black hair and similar body build types. They appear to be Hispanic, the way they speak and what they speak about makes me to that cultural identity.

The table diagonal to me has an elderly couple. The man, Diego, has a bald head but a full beard. He has a large beer grown body and a t shirt with a cartoon on it. The woman, Dianne, is small and frail looking. She has light gray hair that has been carefully prepared. They are both seated and enjoying a meal but I don't hear a single word said between the two. It would appear the goal of the lunch date was only for the love of the traditionally prepared Mexican food.

The last table in my section has a lone man named hector. He has on a light leather vest and a pair of dark sunglasses. He is very kind to Alberta and appears to know her by the way he speaks about her family and his family. Alberta gives him a hug and says that she will come back with his usual order. He shouts out jokingly that he wants the hot Chile this time.

Mr. Owner goes to the table with the elderly couple. He asks if they enjoyed their meals and if there is anything that he could do for them. Diego answers saying in Spanish that everything was perfect and the couple will definitely be back. They leave and shout goodbye to Alberta.

Lafawn is sitting at the table and sifting through the endless pages on her phone. She does not seem impressed with the other ladies conversation. But as I can remember from my previous notes, the phone use might be a younger person trait, particularly with woman. She only looks up the whole meal in order to tell Alberta what she would like to eat. Jen and Jane don't seem to notice this behavior as abnormal, as it may be a social normality.

Hector receives his meal and compliments Alberta on her speedy delivery. There is not much to his time spent at the restaurant. He eats and leaves. Though it is noticeable that he does not address his phone once. This may be because of his age. Maybe in his fifties, and the fact of being a male. But I don't have enough conclusive evidence.

The woman start to talk about each other’s days after all the food is consumed. Jen and Jane work at the local court house and Lafawn is a lawyer or works for a law office. They laugh and joke about the work week. As they are about to leave, Mr. Owner comes by the table to check on the meal... They all agree, almost in unison that the food was great and the service was like no other. 

Thursday Night Football

Thursday evening in a sports bar. The game is on the plethora of televisions. Everyone can be seen wearing football team attire, even the staff members. I seat myself in the corner in order to attempt to decipher the crowd in such a busy environment. The men outweigh the woman 3 to 1.

The table behind me had a group of three guys. They were all redskins fan. Each are wearing a team member’s jersey. Two of the men could have been brothers. They both had the same facial structure and body type. They sit together on one side of the table across from their African American friend. They were arguing during the commercial break over who would be the franchise quarterback for the Washington redskins. The supposed brothers disagreed and called each other names. All of their joking was in good fun though, their body language showed affection of good friends.

Another table nearby had a young couple. The man had a shaved head and a full beard. He sported a New York giant’s jersey for Eli manning. He had a phone in hand and seemed to be paying little attention to his significant other. The girl had red hair and a pierced nose. She was wearing a giant’s hat. She also was consumed wither phone but from what I could see it was not football oriented. She scrolled the many lines of social media. The man would occasionally ask if the girl wanted anything but she never came up from her phone to answer. She only answered and continued to scroll. They ordered beer and a sprite, the girl commented that she wasn't pleased with the man drinking again.

Back to the redskins table. The brothers disappointingly ordered more wings for the table as the mood was dark for redskins fan. The game was slowly beginning to show a sure sign for a giant’s victory. The third friend across from them joked about this loss being a fluke and the skins would surely be heading to the super bowl. He made took his leave from the bar after receiving a phone call from someone asking where he was.

Redskin’s fans seemed to be leaving left and right as the game was coming to an end.

The giant couple sat in the midst of a large group of happy fans awaiting the victory call. The girlfriend went up to the man and said that she would wait in the car; the man did not seem to be shaken at all by the abrupt departure of his partner. He joked to the fan next to him saying that she must be a Washington fan.

After the game was through the bar cleared out pretty fast. The general mood was good but I believe that was only because the redskin’s fans had already gone. 

last day of work

It was friday around 8:45 as we where going back home from church, on our way back home we had to get something quick to eat because i had to sleep early for my 6 am shift. I didn't want to wake up early but i knew it was my last day so i was excited and ready to get my last day over with. We finally get home as we sit down to eat i was so hungry, the smell of the pizza was good but i think its because i was to hungry. It was around 10:45 and i decided to go to bed already because i knew i had to wake up early tomorrow. my alarm went off at 5 i turned it off still laying in bed it took me ten minutes to get up and ready for work. on my way to work it was chili outside, the sky was still dark and the streets were empty.

I get to work and it was empty it was so quite, it was only 3 of us working until 10. work was so slow which was good for a saturday morning, then 10 am came around and people started coming it was so quite and nice then all of a sudden you start hearing people and its starts to get loud. i thought it was gonna be a nice and slow day at work but i was wrong it was very busy, i finally go on break once everything slowed down it was a relief sitting down my feet were tired of to much standing up. Once my break was over my manger wanted to talk to me and he had asked me to stay until 5, i was so mad because i was supposed to get out at 1 and mad me get out at 5 but i couldn't say no because they couldn't find anybody.

so i stay but as the day goes on the more people keep coming i was so frustrated and tired i just wanted to go home and get some rest. the more i looked at the time the slower it felt, at one point of the day we had drive threw and dine in full of orders sand there was only two cooks which was me and the other worker. people were complaint about the time and some of the orders where past out wrong, and that got me mad because the managers were blaming us but it wasn't our fault it was the girls on gator. this rush lasted two hours and once we finished i was so happy i didn't have to deal with so many orders.

it was 4 and i had asked the manager if i could leave and he thought about it and said yes it was fines they would call someone to see if they could come, i was but sad because i was going to miss my co workers i said bye to them but of course there was more missing. i finally get home i take of my work cloths shower and take a long nap. i will miss the people i worked but not the work but first time working at a fast-food was a good experience. i guess i can say i haas a long last day of work.

The Slow Day at Royalty Burger

It is five in the afternoon, the weather is partly cloudy, and I just started my shift at Royalty Burger. There are four groups of people, each made up of two in the lobby. They appear to be in no rush and are enjoying their meals leisurely. According to my co-worker Ms. V one group in particular has apparently been chatting in the lobby for over an hour and a half. I have been put on Drive-thru again and an elderly woman ordered one plain cheeseburger. It always surprises me when someone orders such a small meal. Apparently older people do not need the same amount of food as people in their youth.

Not long after the elderly woman came two cars that both ordered one ice cream cone. I had guessed they may have come together and my guess was confirmed when the first driver pulled up and revealed that she was the second driver’s wife. She paid for her husband with a huge grin on her face while the husband laughed.

It is now six thirty and my manager Ms. Krys put both myself and one of my co-workers on break because the place was so slow.

My break is up and some super hyped up girls are asking for napkins. My manager Ms. Krys seems annoyed at this because they are not buying anything but nevertheless asks me to just get them “outta here”. I inferred they were high school girls because I had heard there was a football game this weekend. As they drive up I get another order by two girls and they are being quite hard to understand. At first it seems like they water a “large frappe” and I finally understood they wanted a large fry. They found it very amusing.

Soon after the high school girls and “frappe fry girls” came a bunch of rowdy people into the lobby. They seemed really excited which seemed to confirm my previous though about a high school football game. One of them in particular seemed to keep the groups’ energy level up. He was about 5.9, Hispanic, and had a buzz cut. Luckily enough they ordered to go and we did not have to keep up with their energy.

Overall the place was really slow and it was nice to take it easy rather than move at the normal fast-pace. Also, it seemed my co-workers felt the same.

Shoe pick up

It was Friday night as i was getting ready for bed as i remembered that some shoes where coming out Saturday morning. I set my alarm to 5 a.m to wake up and go camp out for the shoes. I was laying in bed watching a movie as i slowly started closing my eyes. i feel asleep, i heard my alarm go off i turned it off got out of my bed and started getting ready to leave to the mall. As i walked out the house i noticed it was cooler than usual, i knew these shorts weren't going to keep me warm so i ran back inside the house and changed into some sweats and sweater. it was 6 by the time i left my house and i knew i had to get tho the mall quick to get a good spot in line to get my shoes. 

It was still dark on my drive to the mall, it took my twenty minutes to get there i was worried because i saw a lot of cars at the parking lot and i was thinking i mite not get my pair. I get out of my car and run inside it was quite as i was running to footlocker, as soon as i got there i saw 3 people in front of me i was hopping they weren't my shoe size luckily only one was a 9.5 like me. Time past by and more people started showing up for the shoes. As i was sitting down one guy walks to the front of the line with his friend that was already there, the guy behind them got bothered and told his friend to go to the back of the line. 

they started to argue with each other it went from quite and peaceful to loud and physical real quick.  the people there calmed the 3 guys down and everything was back to being normal. I was thinking to myself why fight for shoes its not worth it but some people take things to serious and argue for anything. My eyes were closing my stomach was growling i just wanted to get my shoes go home and sleep but i need to wait one more hour for them to open the store. I ended up falling asleep for a while because i couldn't stay up any longer. As i was waking up from my nap i looked at the time and it was 8:30 and the store opens at 9 but i see a guy wearing a footlocker uniform and was walking toward the store and opened it. 

  

My eyes opened up really quick i went from tired to wide awake, i stood up and started getting butterflies because i wanted to get my pair. even tho only one guy was wearing the same shoe size as me i didn't know how many pairs they got. The workers from footlocker would ask what size we needed the first 3 guys got there ticket, the guy come up to me and ask me what size so i tell him my hands were sweaty and i was nervous even though it was for some shoes, he said yes we have you're size he gives me the ticket and what a relief i felt. I end up getting my shoes and finally going back home to eat and sleep.

I was driving home i was so hungry i would pass by all these restaurants and wanted to stop but i couldn't because my mom already had breakfast ready so as soon as i open the door i get a good smell of pancakes and bacon i sat down ate with my family took a quick look at my shoes and put them with the rest of my collection. today was a good day. 

Early Lunch

At around 11:00 in the morning, the building was near empty. The sounds of dishes cleaning and a few distant televisions filled the restaurant. Mostly sports channels talking about the many upcoming football games for the weekend. I’m seated in a higher level to the restaurant and I can look upon most of the tables in the nearby section.  This host is a man who I’d say is in his mid-thirties. He is so excited for the opportunity to seat me that it’s almost overbearing. The waiter arrived, his name was tucker. Tucker seemed happy. He had short hair and a hat line around the edge of his head. He was about 23. I believe the staff’s enthusiasm greatly relies on the time of day. Most of the staff id encountered before were abrasive but they were in the night shift. Tuckers spirits were refreshing.

Before ordering I could hear the family behind me talking. I turned back and saw a younger Hispanic couple with a couple toddler aged children. The children were refusing to finish their food but the parents handled their tantrum. They said that if they don’t eat their food then they would not be able to go to the movie planned for their afternoon.

The table to the right and down a level had a couple occupying it. They were two men. I figured they were together because of their expressions. They held hands, the one on the left had a thick beard and a shaved head. The guy on the right had a hat on with some thick gasses. I heard a part of their conversation. On the right, Zed, brought up a hot button issue about the terrorist group in the Middle East. I thought it to be heavy subject matter for an early lunch. But none the less his partner, Peter, engaged him with a look of disdain for the subject on his face. They seemed to get along very well. They went on chatting for some time.  

Tucker was doing well managing our area. As there were only a few patrons in the establishment he wasn't spread very thin. The family behind me asked for the check and before you could think about it, tucker had brought them the bill. Needless to say, he was a server deserving the title.

The person who replaced the family at the table behind me was an elderly man, maybe mid-70s, named Carl. Carl sat and ordered a tuna sandwich with extra onions and an Arnold Palmer to drink. When tucker took his order he sat in the opposite side of the booth. I think this intrigued Carl, he asked tucker about his job and what his plans were. A chat was to follow so tucker was occupied for some time.  

The Partners raised both of their hands to ask tucker for the check. While he got the check, the guys talked about their plans for the night. Apparently they were going to go night hiking. I figured this was a form of outdoor adventure, they were to meet up with a larger group of friends. Zed was having second thoughts because he said, “I F***ing hate mosquitoes.”  I believe Pete told him to relax and to 

quit whining. They left and tucker came back to attend to Carl and I.

I asked for the check and I spent the time to look around. Carl and I were the only ones left. From what I could see on the other half of the store, the staff was mostly cleaning and joking with each other. Tucker got stuck with a task from the manager on the other side of the room.

Carl got a phone call from who I believed to be his daughter. He told her not to worry and he was fine eating alone. I could figure that Carl lost his wife. The daughter must’ve asked about his day yesterday because he began to tell her in an orderly fashion. His grandchildren came to visit him the day before and he went on and on about them.

I left after a few more groups of people had entered it seemed like business was about to start taking off for the restaurant.

The Little Girl, the Shaky Old Man, and More!

It is five in the afternoon, raining, and I am on drive-thru at Royalty Burger. At every order I ask “how’s the rain treating you?” and virtually everyone who has lived here for an extended period of time answered. However, a few people seemed unamused with the rain, which we had not gotten enough of in a long time. I would often ask if they were from some other part of the United States and they would respond with a rainy state of origin.

It is now 6:30pm and I am helping clean up and stock the lobby. A blond little girl, probably 5 or 6 years old, walked up to the drink station and was trying to get a refill. She could not reach it. I asked if she would like me to help and she responded “yes”. While I had expected to take the container and refill it myself she wanted to “do it too”, so I guided her hand to the ice and then to her desired drink. It was pretty cute, especially when she ran off with her drink, stopped as if she had forgotten something, and then turned to say “thank you”.

My headset went off to let me know a customer was at the drive-thru and I respond in my usual greeting. It is apparent that I have a cranky customer, which is not uncommon, but is always annoying. This person in particular seemed to be on a mission to put me in a foul mood. I quickly turned on the “bright and shiny” fake smile and proceeded to cash him out. He was an elderly man with a scruffy beard, worn clothes, and slender body.

Not long after Old’n Cranky came Mr. Shaky hands. He is a regular customer and everyone is always worried that he’ll drop either his food or the money. I imagine he has a medical condition because Mr. Shaky is considerably shaky. After he left I told my manager whenever I serve him I feel like I should escort him home because it seems dangerous for him to be driving. She responded with a chuckle and returned to her work.

It is about 9:30pm and the rain started picking up again. This is annoying when on drive-thru because the sensor picks up what I call “invisible customers”, which is just the rain tripping the sensors.

It is 9:45pm and we have a large group of teenagers walk in, which is kind of bothersome because the lobby closes at 10pm and we have to re-clean. For the most part they seem to be enjoying themselves, I say this because they are being really rowdy with each other and overly friendly with the female cashier.

Student Lounge #2

            It is about 10:34 a.m. and I settle into a spot fairly central to most of the action in the eating area of the student lounge. There is a steady and rather busy flow of students of all ethnicity, races and cultures flowing through the restaurant area.

I notice two students in particular each seated alone at the two tables in front of me, the first appears to be Hispanic and is casually sipping a Fanta soda while browsing his cell phone and listening to music I presume. The second is also male and appears Caucasian, he is also browsing his phone but is drinking a tea instead of a soft drink. Just now Tea begins to gather his things in a methodical manner quickly wipe the table and leaves.

I now notice two female students both using one of the computers set up against the wall of the lounge; the first is a dark brunette and appears to be of an Asian ethnicity. The other is a somewhat heavier set Caucasian girl. They both posses very large backpacks that seemed filled to the brim. They don’t appear to be doing school work on the computer but instead; simply seem to be passing the time surfing the web.

Fanta has almost finished his drink and appears to be packing up, he packs his bag, grabs his sun glasses and proceeds to down the last bit of soda before leaving.

The computer girls also seem to be finishing up whatever they were doing on the desktop, they log off of the computer sit back for a few minutes talk a bit and then leave together deeper into the building.

Two Hispanic males now have taken over the table that Tea was once seated at and begin to casually enjoy a meal and small talk. In a way they have almost a “gangster” look to them as they both are wearing rather baggy clothes but they also are both wearing heavy work boots and seem quite professional in manner. One appears to have what looks like a pretty expensive watch.

At a farther table to petite Hispanic/Asian students are also enjoying a meal together, I can’t quite make out exactly what race they might be but I will simply refer to them as the “pair”. They are in no hurry what so ever as far as eating or having anything in particular to do. They are mostly talking and slowing picking at their food rather than full on eating a meal.

The gangsters and already finished their meals, exchanged a few words and taken of f in a somewhat hastened pace as if back to work; not necessarily in a hurry but at a busy pace.

They pair also is now finishing up their conversation and are making their way out. They gather their leftovers, I don’t believe they finished their food completely, one disposes of the trash and the other waits for her friend to catch up and they then depart.