i have a dream

i have a job.

this is something i have been avoiding for awhile because i have been existing comfortably on my loan money and no jobs i've applied for can fit around my crazy schedule.

but, a job just fell into my lap.  unavoidable.  and with summer costs leering over my shoulder, i conceded to 10 hours a week.

this job is at a chain called "dream dinners".  it is basically a place where women and men come and put together pre-prepared meals to freeze and then cook at home.  here is this month's menu (the mediterranean pasta with chicken looks amazing).

my role in this job is to prep stations for recipes, clean up after clients and clean up in general.

re-entering into food service evokes memories from the week i did kitchen at camp, working at the hy-vee meat counter and manning the concession stands for various softball tournaments (oh walking tacos, you are so delicious) during high school and college.

and, honestly, it's rather humbling to be back in the food service.  i thought my days of unending clean up and customer pleasing were over.  at some point of having a full-time job, i must have put food service at the lower ranks of the job market.  i don't remember consciously doing this, but it happened.  and now, here i am, cleaning up ricotta cheese trays, refilling parsley containers and wiping up every spot, splotch and spill.

perhaps it is a good and necessary humbling.  graduate school has definitely done it's part in inflating my ego and increased my view of myself as "an intelligent young woman".  these aren't terrible things, but they are good reminders that i am not above general "hard work" and physical labor to "earn a living".  and, not only am i not above it, but i need it.  additionally, in the world of entitlement (one which i too often succumb), i think it is good to do something that i don't particularly love, but that serves a necessary purpose.

and, despite the aches my feet and lower calves are feeling, i enjoy the 5 hour shifts where i'm not constantly checking my email or thinking about privilege, the problems of the world and therapy.  for a few moments, life is simple, predictable and you can truly reap the rewards of your actions (when you clean up worcestershire sauce with a wet rag, it is, indeed, gone!)

thank you, jesus and dream dinners, for provision, humility and delicious gourmet food (that i get 40% off of!).