Hello September! Part 1of2

Wholey guacamoley a lot has happen this month! So school is back in session and so far it is going fantastic! I couldn't be happier to be back in culinary school and cooking in the kitchen. CULN 130 Intermediate Cookery is going so well and I can finally enjoy the fun side of cooking unlike what I had to go through in CULN 120 Fundamentals of Cookery which was HELL with Chef Leake! But I must say, I did learn a lot from his class. And the funny thing, he came into Old Navy and I serviced him in the fitting room (which doesn't sound right). Then, on the way back out of the fitting room, he asked me what I was taking this fall and I said, "I'm taking Intermediate Cookery". Then he placed his hand on my shoulder and said, "you deserved it!" Well, the chef instructor for Intermediate Cookery is a very awesome teacher. Super cool and funny as hell but yes, he can be strict because he has to be. But overall, I'm enjoying everyday in class!

So my school schedule is the full "she-bang"! I have classes from Monday through Friday! Plus, I go to work on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. This is my schedule for the Fall of 2010....

Module I: (Aug.23-Oct.15)
CULN 130 Intermediate Cookery - 5 credits
Mondays: 8am-11:50am
Tuesdays-Fridays: 8am-1:50pm

Module II: (Oct.18-Dec.10)
CULN 160 Dining Room Service - 5 credits
Mondays: 8am-11:50am
Tuesdays-Fridays: 8am-1:50pm

Full semester: (Aug.23-Dec.17)
HOST 290 Hospitality Management - 3 credits
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 3:00pm-4:15pm


Work Availability @ Old Navy

Sundays - 12:00pm-8:00pm
Mondays - 2:00pm-10:00pm
Tuesdays - OFF
Wednesdays - 5:00pm-10:00pm
Thursdays - OFF
Fridays - 5:00pm-10:00pm
Saturdays - OFF

So lately, I haven't got any much sleep. And therefore, I sleep at work before my shift starts. Although I'm not complaining about school, it is a lot of energy to keep me going through the day and I'm not getting any younger either.

Other than that, I've become the employee of month! I found out when my LOD took a Polaroid picture of me sleep before my shift started and shouted, "Congratulations! Your the employee of the month" and I was like wwwwhhhhhat? Really? So yeah...there's my employee of the month picture of me sleeping. Hhhhhmmmm? Am I sending the wrong message to the my fellow co-workers that you can become the employee of the month by sleeping at your job. LOL! I never had thought I would become the employee of the month in my entire life.

Well, there's a part 2 of this blog and it will be posted up later. This month of September is the month I will never forget.

Hay un amigo en mi!

Yes! I have finally saw Toy Story 3 and man did I cry! Such a great movie and a great way to end it. Tortilla face....the CLAW....and oh! Spanish mode! It was funny and a trilogy done right! The only animation movie I ever cried to was The Land Before Time. Yes, the part when Little Foot's mother died and the part when he sees his mother as cloud that guided him and his friends to the great valley. Funny that I still remember those parts. Anyway, what I really liked about Toy Story 3 was the fact that Andy was going off to college. And the fact he doesn't want to give away his toys, especially Woody. I guess we all have our moments when to let go to the things we love so much as a kid. Andy's toys were always there for him and they watched him grow up. But...ahhhh....what a great ending!

Other than that, I have watched with a good friend whom I only known for less than a year. It's crazy to describe how I found such a good friend and that I consider him as my "brother from a different mother". We started off as co-workers and then we turned out to be cool dudes in the fitting room. We work very well and enjoy each others company at the same time. And we get SHIT done!!!! LOL! I really didn't know when it all started but I think it was the time when I was out of it and singing to the "Star Trek" battle fight song! That's when I was coming out from my shell. After wards, we started to have our man talks in the parking lot outside of Old Navy and man did we talk about a lot of stuff that lasted until 12am! Seriously! And I come to find that we have a lot in common. That's why I call him "my brother from a different mother".

I had friends come and gone but I haven't met a friend that is similar to me but not exactly similar except he's one Japanese mochi and I steh one tall Filipino Adobo. Funny though....people sometimes get us mixed up because our personalities are alike. No joke! Another crazy thing is that I started at Old Navy on the same day of his birthday. Weird! People says maybe we were meant to find each other?!?! LOL! Nah...but I don't believe in that mumbo jumbo. If it happens? It happens! I just never had a friend who I feel comfortable telling my story and who is willing to listen. A friend who knows how I feel. A friend who knows to make me laugh! Maybe he's my friend till the end? Who knows but where ever he goes, he says I'm always welcome to join him and I would do the same for him too.

As of now, our "bromance" is growing and starting to show at work. So I guess you know where this all going with Buzz and Woody. My best friend is Buzz and I'm Woody! Before I close this blog, "Hay un amigo en mi!" You got a friend in me, buddie! \m/

-Riley
There's a snake in my boot!

Stuck in reverse

Hello!

So I left off with the jobs I applied at. It's been a week and no phone calls yet. And my job interview at the Japanese Restaurant, Maguro-ya probably won't hire me because I don't have any experience in a Japanese Restaurant. I also found out CPK does a group interview every Wednesday. So probably I would do that next week since I want to work an eight hour shift at Old Navy. As for Roy's restaurant, I hope they call. That would be awesome.

After filling out so many job applications, I noticed my life is in reverse. Well...let's see....I started my first job at Subway making $6.50 per hr. when I was a senior in high school. Then, my second job at Longs I'd made $10.50 per hr., After, my third job at Prologix Dist. I'd made $12.50 per hr., Next, my fourth job at Islander Group I'd made $11.00 per hr., And as of now, I'm making $8.47 per hr at Old Navy. I feel like I started back at one. At all my other jobs, I was making really good money and I could managed to handle to pay my bills on time. However, things now with money wise has been really difficult. Why does money for school has to be so much? My dreams is to become a chef. It is my answer, my goal, my passion to be in my life but money is being a real issue here and I don't know if I had made the right choice of going to school. Every night this subject is stuck in my head and I can't sleep. Where am I going in my future? Have I failed to succeed? Should I have stayed with my magazine job? But hey, there are somethings I have to face, right? College Life = $$$.

As much I try to move on, I feel I haven't moved one bit. I'm stuck in reverse and the world is passing me by. If dreams do come true why is there a price to pay? Should it be free? I'm starting to see that dreams are there to help me escape from reality. So my question is....do I want to live in a dream or a reality?

Other than that...on a brighter note, I've become a 12 year old again. Seriously....I've pulled out my Star Wars blanket that I had kept for a long time (nine years). I bought a Batman lunchbox which is awesome. And I'm playing my PS2. Man, the last time I played with that was back in 2007 and I really want a PS3 but not at this moment. Right? I'm also getting back into comics. I so want to read The Boys since it is similar to The Watchmen. Also I'm joining my good friend into Magic: The Gathering which was a card game during my freshmen year in high school. Being 28 years old is never too late to be 12 again. I guess this is one of those things to laugh at in the past or to look back in the future. :) And another thing, 12 years old was my first "My Girl" moment. lol!

So I leave this blog with this line....

"And high above and down below, when you're too in love to let it go, and if you never try you'll never know, just what you're worth." - Coldplay

Summer Changes

This summer has been good so far. Met new people in my life who became my close friends. I'm really happy where I stand today starting from the day we stood up high on the mountain top over Manoa Valley. That day was the greatest! So far what I did this summer was going to Bellows Beach on the beautiful windward side of the island. Watched the sunset at Ehukai Beach on North Shore. And spending time in at parking lots with friends. I don't how to describe my summer but it's treating me really good. Better than last summer I should say.

However, things hasn't been going too well. For one, money. Trying hard not to think about it because it brings a frown on my face. But I find it just hard to face it sometimes. Lately, every paycheck I receive I'm always left out dry. I have to come to realize college life sucks balls to the walls! In the beginning of spring semester, I was more than glad to become a full time student and get started with my culinary courses. I have taken all my prerequisite during the past three years as a part time student and working full time. I was thrilled to finally get into the culinary program. And now I face the fact that school cost big money. I have financial aid in the works but I won't be able to receive my grant until the fall. Since payment deadline is on July 16 I had no choice to set up a four month payment plan. So I had to use my credit card to make my first payment which I really didn't want to but I had to. I wasn't going to stop. Not now. Once I receive my grant, I will pay off my credit card.

Summer is half way over. I still haven't found another part time job yet but I did get an interview at Maguron-ya Japanese Restaurant in Kaimuki. It seemed the chef was looking for someone who has more experience in the kitchen. IDK but hopefully I get a return phone call anytime soon.

I applied at...

Roy's Hawaii Kai
Roy's Ko'Olina Resort
Romano's Macaroni Grill
CPK
Monterey Bay Canners
Zippy's

Well, summer isn't over yet. The sun still shines above my head. No rain cloud over my head Charlie Brown! :)