GERMAN JOB TRAINING

SIDE JOB #1: HOTEL
I had my first day of training at the Avalon Hotel in Landstuhl last week and there was more to learn than I imagined there would be! When I arrived in the morning, Natalie, the girl who was suppose to be training me, wasn't there. The only person working was a lady that spoke very little English, so she began by trying to show me around and explain things in German...most of which I didn't understand of course! My inicial thought was: I am stinkin crazy for trying to accept this job at a German hotel when I speak only a few sentences in their language. After about twenty minutes, Natalie showed up and she speaks perfect English so she took over and re-showed me all of the things that Mendi had tried to explain. The hotel is small, there are only 30 rooms, but part of my job there is preparing the breakfast in the morning. Most of the continental breakfast is easy...remember where to set out certain things, all the cold-cuts, yogurts, breads, coffee, fruit, etc. However, I also have to make eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and sausages to set out. Not too hard, right? I didn't think so until she told me that I'm not suppose to waste food, and I have to make sure there is always enough for everyone on the table, but she wouldn't answer my question and give me an estimate of how many eggs she prepares or bacon strips she cooks, etc. each morning...I'm just suppose to figure that out on my own! Other things I am suppose to know that she won't tell me (she says to GOOGLE them for the answers) include directions to the hotel from different places, interesting things to do in the area, cool restaurants and pubs nearby, and the different military ranks (more on this later). She told me that since they only have one person working the front desk at a time, I would have to be able to communicate on some level with german speakers as well as with the vietnemese maids. Then she sent me upstairs and told me to ask these women to show me around, seeing atleast one of each of the three room set-ups that they have at the hotel. These ladies don't speak a word of german OR english but when I tried to talk to them I think they may have been smiling even more than I was and they all grabbed on to my arms giving me these awkward part-way hugs...I couldn't help but laugh at myself again thinking of my situation. When I asked one of the ladies to look into the rooms, she handed me the key. I had no idea which rooms were vacant or not, but she gave me a nod when I pointed to room number 9, soo I opened the door, then quickly closed it again when I saw someone role over in their bed!! I went back downstairs and told Natalie a little fib...that yes I saw the rooms, they look very nice, I was ready to continue with the training! haha We started getting into the details of booking the rooms and doing the billing and stuff and since it's mostly military that stay there, there is so many extra papers that have to be filled out (and filled out in a very specific way). One of the forms that are so important is called the VAT form, which allows businesses to communicate with the government that a certain number of people that stayed at the hotel over the past year were military, and therefore don't pay taxes and yadda yadda. The phone is another interesting thing because I am required to answer in German...which is fine, I have no problem with that. However, if I answer in German and there is a german speaking person on the other end of the line, they start rattling off like I am going to understand what they are saying! Natalie hooked up the hotel phone to her cell phone so I have this little thing that I say in German in these situations that tells the person that I am transferring their calls, and then I send them on to her! The first three hour training day was...exhausting to say the least. I'm not sure at this point if it's more work than it's worth, I'm still thinking about it. Either way I did enjoy being out of my comfort zone for awhile and getting some good laughs at the awkwardness of my day!

SIDE JOB #2: SPORTS BAR
This job is perfect for me. I love it love it love it! I had my first night yesterday (thurs) and then I am going back to work again tomorrow night. The guy that trained me is a very easy-going, 28 year old guy that is fun to work with/for. His mom owns the business but he manages it. I thought that I was going to be a cocktail waitress, and I thought that would be easy because I already have so much restaurant experience. I was wrong though because I am bartending! It's a small/medium sized American sports bar called the Yankee, and mostly american military people come in there and hang out. It feels more like I am hanging out than working! I get to talk to people (most are around my age), make friends (which I haven't really done yet since I've been here), play games like dice and pool with people, and if I want I can mix myself up a drink and make a toast right along with the customers! (don't worry mom and dad...I AM being smart, I promise!!) I really do love it and I feel very blessed to have met that woman on the train...it really is all about who you know and the connections you make!

JUST LIFE...
Other than those side jobs, my real job here, the reason I am in Germany to begin with, is awesome. Anthony is my new little best friend and since Joe and Jess work such long shifts I get to spend so much time with him! We went on another train ride today and I got the cutest video of him saying: CHOO CHOO...WHERE AAAAARRREE YOUUUU?!?! haha he is so much fun! Jess and Anthony were curled up on the couch the other day taking a nap so I laid down on the other one and closed my eyes and about 20 minutes later, Train (remember, that's what we call him!) waddled over and cuddled up with me and fell back asleep for an hour nap!! I think all of you who would be reading this blog know how much I loved that! So he's become my buddy, I love it here with the Amores!

I got invited to go to a big haunted house/halloween party at the Frankenstein castle about 45 minutes from here, and I guess they give you a tour of the whole place and then it's a big party! You go there on big charter busses and it's for the military people and their friends and families! I looked it up online and it looks awesome...I'm trying to decide on an easy and cheap costume to wear!