Finally!!!! Winter Break!

It seems like just yesterday I was posting my blog about how I couldn't wait until winter break. It's finally here! This will be my last blog for the semester, and I know you're all very disspointed. It's my last week of classes, so of course the work load has doubled, but that's okay because there is a light at the end of the tunnel. After this week of tests, and papers, and staying up late studying, I will have a month off of school! This winter break is going to be even more amazing because my 22nd birthday is one of the first day's of winter break, what luck. I only have one class after my birthday, so it can be a month long celebration! Two fo my friend's bands are playing at JB's Speakeasy on the North side on my birthday, which makes the celebration even more amazing. Basically, after thursday's last dreadful accounting class, it's time to hang out with friends, relax, and enjoy an awesome birthday!!
Thanks for reading all semester, until next time...

Time to get outta' town!!

This weekend, me and Jenna decided to go to Chicago, and this couldn't have come at a better time. I think all of my teachers got together, and discussed how they could make the rest of the semester absolutely miserable for me. I have so many things to do for school within the next couple months, I feel like all I have been doing is homework. I want to do well this semester, but it is becoming a challenge. On the colder days, staying in bed is seeming a little more appealing then sitting in class all day. So, it is time for a road trip!!
We are driving to Chicago to see The Pixies, and it is going to be awesome. They broke up a while ago and barely ever tour, so this is going to be a monumental show. We are staying with Jenna's sister Sarah, who lives in Chicago. We are going to take the subway to the show and back, and then Sarah is going to take us out on the town! I have never been to Chicago, so this is going to be a great, new experience. The next day, we are going to the art museum and to take in some of Chicago's sites. It is going to be so much fun, especially hanging out with Jenna, and not worrying about school or work! Jenna is working two jobs, so I don't see her much, and this will be the perfect way to hang out and catch up. I can't wait to get outta town!!

Girls Night!

Tonight was an awesome night! Me and a couple of friends decided to do a girls night at my apartment, and it was such a blast! I got to catch up with so many people that I haven't seen in awhile. Also, me and my room mate have never had very many people at our place. It was almost like house warming party, showing off our apartment to friends. Me and my friend Dani had the idea a few nights ago, and it blossomed into alot of friends stopping over.
We went to the store and bought some chips, and dip, and of course a few bottles of wine. We ordered pizza, and watched the most girly shows we could imagine. This included the office, grey's anatomy, and the season finale of project runway. It was so nice having just the girls around, and watching all of our favorite shows. To top things off, my friend Jenny is getting married and we got to get the scoop and pictures of the new brides maid dresses. All in all, I highly reccomend planning a night with your closest friends soon!

Is it winter break yet?

It never fails, every school year around mid-semester, I get hit with the complete disgust for school. The first few months are alright, I get all of my homework done, and attend every class. Then, out of nowhere, I suddenly feel a complete loss of interest in all things related to school. I think it happens to all college students, or at least I like to think so. Mid-semester there is that week where you just kind of stop caring, and then it is so hard to get back on track. I feel like if I'm not working, I'm at school...and if I'm not doing either of those I'm doing homework. I know that's what happens when you go to school, but sometimes it hits you harder than usual.
And, winter break is so much fun! It's a month off of school for you to do whatever you want! My birthday is the day my winter break starts, and then it's only a week until Christmas! My birthday and Christmas are my favorite time of year. I get to see all of my family and friends and have tons of fun. There is only a month and a half left in this semester, so hopefully that will go by really fast. I want to have a couple days where I do absolutely nothing, and that hasn't happened in far too long. I have been slacking off pretty bad this week, so hopefully I can make that up, and get back in the game. I know all of you college students reading will agree that winter break can't some soon enough...

too many fake nurses and fairytale characters...

I have to say that I am shocked at out unoriginal halloween has become for adults. It used to be your goal as a child not to have the same costume as anyone else. You would think about your costume for long periods of time, and your school always had some awesome costume contest. You knew you weren't winning any contests dressed like any of the other kids in the class. Growing up, my mom always helped us make our costumes. It was cheaper, and then you were garunteed no one would have the same costume as you on the big day. You can be as original as you want when your making the thing.
Now, when I go on my halloween costume journey, all I see are the same costumes over and over again. If you go downtown on halloween, or look at people's pictures from last year, there are so many similar costumes. And if you go buy the costumes, they are so expensive! You are spending $40 to wear some cheap, ill fitting costume, and look like everyone else. I think this specifically goes for the girls. Most guys seem to have the original costume idea down. All the girls are dressed as naughty nurses, naughty police cops, or some fairytale character. They don't do these professions or characters any justice, though. Do you really think anywhere in America while a nurse is saving lives she's dressed like that? And d you really think that snow white wore a mini skirt and fishnets stockings? That's why I think my mom had it right, and I make my costume every year...when i go out i don't have to worry about looking like anyone else.

A time and a place for cell phones...

I am all for cell phones in today's world. I can't imagine my life without mine, and I think they are necessary. I love the thought of people getting a hold of me whenever they need to, whether it be a family member, work, or friends. I feel like I am never missing out on anything important. That being said, I cannot believe how rude people can be with their phones sometimes!! Walking around campus inspired me to think of some cell phone no-no's for everyone.
Exhibit A) I am in the library crunching some numbers, trying to complete an impossible accounting assignment. It's common knowledge that a library should be quiet at all times, you learn that when you're in grade school. So, why instead of concentrating on my homework am i forced to listen to you're plans for the day? What really impresses me are the people that don't just answer it really quick, because that's rude enough, but instead have a 20 minute conversation. Is it really that important that you had to answer it in the library? Is having that person text you, or leave you a voicemail, completely out of the question?
Exhibit B) If you have read any of my blogs, you are aware that I am a waitress. Add "while you're at the table and you're waitress is talking to you" to the no-no list. It's a free country, talk on that phone when I walk away all you want. However, while I'm introducing myself and you answer the phone and shoo me away, is just bad manners. The best part, is that the other person at the table is always ready. They don't care that the other person is on the phone and basically forcing you to leave by not answering any questions. They want to order, they'll have the sandwich, but they aren't sure what their friend will have. And my favorite part, the part that really makes my day, is when these rude customers are ready to order. Stop the presses, hold the phones....they are finally ready. So, even though you have been to the table 5 times and they haven't shown you any respect, you better drop everything when they are ready to finally make a decision. They've been waiting 2 seconds...while you've been waiting a half an hour listening to the other person at the table try and mind read what they want.
Just some food for thought. Think about other people next time you decide to have a 30 minute conversation on your plans for Friday in the library, or at your table in a restaurant.

The Unsung Hero's at Western Technical College...

I believe in giving credit where credit is due. I discovered a little gem at TC today that I have never taken advantage of before. Tutors!! I have a huge accounting packet due today. It's worth a ton of points, and we are taking a quiz on the answers that we got. So, I started the packet on Tuesday, and I had confidence that I could figure it all out. Well, I didn't get it done on Tuesday night, so after work Wednesday I hit the books. I met up with a friend from accounting class at Perkins, and we got down to business. All was going well, until I got to the balance sheet, and nothing balanced. I spent a good half an hour staring at my sheet and all of my numbers. I suddenly panicked. This packet was due the next day, and none of my numbers were right.
My accounting teacher had handed out a sheet at the beginning of the semester with the list of tutor times in the library and what days they would be available. I admit, I never thought I would have to meet up with a tutor to get my homework done. But, oh am I glad I did. I was nervous, and a little sceptical about going to a tutor, until I met her. Brenna Powers is her name, and she is my new best friend. She is a saint, and she saved my entire accounting packet. She was so helpful and went slow enough so that I could understand. She is in accounting 3 and has a job in accounting, so I imagine the tiny mistakes I was making drove her crazy, but she never showed it. So this blog goes out to all the tutors. Thank you for your time and patience, and for saving my nonexistent accounting career!!

You're never too old to be pumped for Halloween...

I am a firm believer that you are never too old to be pumped up for Halloween. Unfortunatley, I am too old to go Trick-Or-Treating...which is too bad becuase you're never too old to get free candy either. October is here, and it is time for fall. I know all the rain has given us a pretty crummy start to fall, but i have faith the weather will be wonderful again soon. Fall and Spring are my favorite seasons. It's not too hot, and not too cold, just right in the middle. Not to mention, the beautfiul scenery we are blessed with here in the midwest. I grew up in pretty big cities, and I didn't move here until my sophmore year in highschool, so I am still blown away by how beautiful it is around here. Soon the leaves will be changing, and I can bust out some of my cute fall and winter clothes. We have to find a bright side to our awful winters, so mine is my awesome boots that have been sitting in my closet waiting to be worn again.
So, it is only the first week of October but I have so much to look forward to. The semester is moving along, and I finally started making tips at my new job. My old roomates band is playing next Friday at the warehouse, and Im looking forward to seeing all of my friends. I know it's way too early, but I am so ready for Halloween! This will be another one of my first legal endevors, going downtown on Halloween. I can't wait to see everyone and thier rediculous costumes. Me and my best friend Jenna are going as "Thing 1 and Thing 2" from the Dr. Suess book. We always try to do something in a pair, and I don't know if we'll be able to top this one next year. After reading this blog, I hope you all remember to stay young and heart, have fun on Halloween, and enjoy the little things in life!!

Okto-Beer-Fest 2009

So, I survived my first legal Oktoberfest! It was so much fun, not only getting to legally drink on the sidewalk, but i also got to see a lot of friends. The last few years I have had to miss out on Oktoberfest because of my job at Perkins. I was a bar server for the overnight shift, and last year I had to work from Friday night into Saturday afternoon. By the time I was done with work, I was too exhausted to even think about the parade. This year, that was definitely not the case. I put in my 2 weeks notice at Perkins just in time, my last day was 2 days before the parade. I was still training at my new job, so they didn't even bother scheduling me for such a busy weekend.
By some divine miracle, I got Saturday and Sunday off, and got to completely enjoy my Oktoberfest experience. I think that is a must as someone living in LaCrosse. You have to fully partake in the parade and all of downtown's glory at least once. I picked up my mom and her friend, and was at the parade right when it started at 10am. That was also when the drinking began. This was great because we met up with my grandma, grandpa, and extended family. Working and going to school full time doesn't leave much family time, so I was really happy to see all of them. After hanging out there for awhile and scarfing down some brats, me and Jenna headed from the North Side, over the viaduct, and down towards Festival Foods. We were meeting up with all of our really good friends at their spot, and we got to run in some friends we hadn't seen in awhile along the way. It was a blast seeing all of our old friends that came back to town for the parade.
The parade was so much fun, and I'm sure the beer helped. After the parade, we went to a cookout and I had more brats. I don't know if I can ever eat another brat after this weekend. After filling up on food and beer, I took a nap to regroup, and went out at 7pm and started all over again. The bars were insane, and me and all of my friends had such a great time hanging out, and running into people we knew. I finally called it quits at 1:30am (yikes). Luckily I had the nest day off, so I ate a huge breakfast with all of my hungover friends, and slept away most of Sunday.
I hope your Oktoberfest was as awesome as mine, and I hope you enjoyed hearing about all of my legal escapades during the parade!

You're server is making $2.33 an hour...

As you know by my previous blogs, I am a server at a restaraunt. I work 4 to 5 days a week serving tables, and dealing with customers who range from happy to not happy. Some tables are already grumpy when they enter the door, some tables are in a good mood no matter what. It all varies by the customers I meet, which is why I love my job. I get to interact with so many different people, its definatley never boring. I have been working in restaraunts since I was 16,and I have done pretty much every job imaginable. Lately, I have been joking with my managers about how I am going to write a book on what to do, and what not to do when your at a restaraunt. An insight into the mind of a server who is waiting on you're table. This week's blog will be just a few things I have come up with.
1) Your server is getting paid $2.00 to $3.00 an hour, depending on the restaraunt. You heard it right, in Wisconsin most restaraunts only pay thier servers $2 to $3 an hour. Our entire job is based on tips. So when you and your friends think its funny to leave a pile of change in the shape of a smiley face on the table, we are not smiling. We can't pay any sort of monthly bill with that smiley face.
2) If you need a refill, ask, instead of sucking on your empty glass.
It is probably the most dreaded noise to my ears. If you need a refill on a drink ask, or set the empty glass at the end of the table. Don't suck on the straw in your empty glass. That's just rude. Would you act like that if you were having dinner with you're mother? No, because she raised you with manners, so act like it.
3)Servers are perfectly capable of understanding what you're saying...so don't snap your fingers.
This goes for snapping your fingers, clapping you're hands, or waving at us. We understand that you are in our section. We aren't you're pets, so don't snap or clap at us. This also includes yelling our names across the dining room, or waving you're empty coffee pot around. We can see you, and we can comprehend you just asking for another pot. We aren't all rocket scientists, but we can understand simple requests.
4) Just because you went out to eat, doesn't mean your kids get to trash the place.
We understand that you went out to eat so you wouldn't have to clean up a mess at home. We also expect to have to do a little extra clean up, that's only natural. However, this does not make it acceptable for your kid to be smearing crushed up macaroni everywhere, and throwing food all over the place. This also goes for them running all over and yelling. You try carrying an entire tray of hot food, and having some toddler run in front of you while thier parents are letting them do laps around the dining room. Lastly, you apologizing because you let your kid make a compost heap on our table does not make it okay. We say it's okay, because that's our job, but we don't mean it.
5) We don't cook the food, we only serve it.
Its understandable to be upset if your server completely messes up you're order. They totally rang it in wrong, thats thier job, so you have every right to be mad. That bieng said, we are not cooking you're food. We don't hop back behind the cooks line after taking you're order. So if you don't like the way something tastes, or the temperature isn't right, we didn't make it. You are completely entitled to let us know so we can fix it, but throwing a temper tantrum like some 6 year old is just rediculous. I don't stick my fingers in you're mashed potatoes, so how would I ever know they were cold? You're right, I did it on purpose so you could yell at me about it, you caught me. And honestly, as an adult, don't you have bigger things to worry about in life? If your entire day is ruined by your steak not bieng medium rare, then it's time to evaluate how you're spending your days.

These are just a few I could remember off the top of my head, but I hope I gave you something to chew on next time you go out to eat! Treat your servers well!

A week of wonderful music, and new oppurtunities...

Today was the first day at my new job for me...and I haven't been this excited in a very long time! I recently put in my 2 weeks notice at Perkins. If you have ever been to Perkins after 1a.m., you understand why. I don't think drunk people are that funny unless I'm drunk too. And not to mention the awful aprons they make us wear...and having to deal with senior citizens and push pie like its a drug...Can you tell that I was ready for a new job or what!?
I learned alot while working at Perkins, and got some management experience. I am going to school for business management, so I really appreciate that they gave me that oppurtunity...but my new job is amazing! I was searching for a new job all summer, and getting to put in my 2 weeks notice in at Perkins was so satisfying. Working at a corporate place like that may work for some people, but it definitley wasn't for me.
My new job is so much more laid back...I get to wear jeans and a polo shirt to serve tables. It really doesn't get any better than that. I will be making better money while working less, which will really help with my last year in school. I get to work right downtown, which means I will get to meet some awesome people. The sidework that I have there is cut in half compared to Perkins, and if you have ever been a server you know that means alot. Everyone that works there is really nice, and my trainer was really helpful and sweet. That was my exciting day, but wait until you hear about my exciting week...
As you read in my previous post, going to shows and seeing bands is one of my favorite hobbies. Well this week has been jam packed with that. I got to road trip with my best friend to Milwaukee to see one of my favorite bands, The Bled, on Saturday. If you ever get a chance to see them...do it! It was so amazing live, so much energy. Also, my favorite band Poison The Well is playing tomorrow, right here in LaCrosse! They are a pretty big band, and the fact that they are playing here, in such a small town at a small venue, is rare. I usually have to drive for hours to see them. I cannot wait for that show!! Not to mention that Everytime I Die, and Protest The Hero have new albums in store this week....what a good month for music! If you have no idea who any of these bands are, just fill in the blanks with your favorite bands and imagine my excitement!
So, I predicted that this blog would be all about my first day and how awesome my new job is. Now I am going to guess that my next blog will be about working on my own, and how nervous and stressed I will be...we'll see, new jobs are full of so many nerves and so much excitement all at the same time. I'm going to need to take full advantage of the mass drinking and my first legal Oktoberfest after this training week.

8 a.m. on August 27th came way too soon...

Can you believe the summer is already over? It seems like just yesterday I was dumping all of my old homework, selling back my books, and waving goodbye to TC for the summer. I suppose it's time to get back into the daily grind of school and work, and give sleeping until noon a break. If you are reading my blog, I should probably tell you a little bit more about myself. This might make reading my weekly dose of chatter a little more interesting.

My name is Trista, and I am 21 years old. I am currently enrolled at WTC, and am in the Business Management Program. Finally being legal to drink, and trying to complete my last year of school, may prove to be a challenge. I've always enjoyed a good challenge though, isn't that partly what college is all about? I work at Perkins as a certified trainer/ server, and I used to be a manager there as well. However, I just put my 2 weeks notice in at Perkins, and will be working at Buzzards Billy's soon!! I am really excited!! I finally decided what I wanted to go to school for after managing at Perkins for a year. I really enjoyed working in customer service, and knowing that I was in charge of the restaurant was something I knew I could get used to in the future.

So, then there's the big question that every college student gets tired of answering. "What do you want to do after you graduate?". It makes sense that your friends and family would want to know. I am in my last year of a 2 year program that I stretched out to 4 years. My family is probably ready for me to start making money, instead of spending tons of it trying to figure myself out. The truth is I have no idea what I want to do after I graduate. I know I want to do something in a restaurant, or anywhere that I get to work with lots of people, and provide some sort of customer service. However, the thought of actually having to be an adult and get a real job is pretty intimidating to me.

Being intimidated about having to face the real world suits me personality pretty well. My friends will tell you that I am a very fun loving, outgoing person. If I am not at school or work, I am with my friends and family. I have a little sister named Cali and a best friend named Jenna, who mean everything to me. You will probably hear a lot about them in my blogs. After school, work, and friends, i enjoy filling my free time with music. I like listening to music, learning about new music, and going to a lot of concerts. Going to concerts out of town with Jenna is one of my favorite things to do, it's so much fun exploring new cities!

So, that's my first blog all about me. I'm sure my next couple blogs will involve being the rookie at a new job...thanks for reading!