My newest obsession + Ootd

RAMEN. Mommy didn't cook tonight so when I got home from class she asked me what I wanted. Ramen was the first thing that came to mind, so we went to Kopan Ramen in Fullerton. First time, and it didn't disappoint! However, the downside to this place was that they only had two choices: Tonkotsu and Veggie. But other than the lack of variety, the food was pretty damn good and worth going back for.

Next few places to try:

- Ajisen Ramen

- What's Up Men

- Foo Foo Tei 

Ootd: I questioned whether or not 68 degrees was still too warm for a jacket, beanie, and boots. It wasn't! It turned out to be a reasonable outfit for today's kind of weather, as well as my "workout" (as Gerico calls it, lol) of walking back and forth on campus for class. Ugh, one more day and I will have made it through the first week!

Second day of school = Conquered.

I'm not a fan of professors having participation points count towards my grade, and it's a requirement for both of these classes. I feel like I'll do well with it in my Nutrition class, but History on the other hand is a different story. I like knowing what I'm talking about and having confidence when doing so, and History has never been my strongest subject. That makes me nervous. 

I'm glad T/TH are my short days. Because that means on Thursday's, my weekends start at 11:10 :) 

Gerico and sushi

Gerico and I have a sushi problem. I told him I didn't want to go, but of course he still decides to show up at my place. I guess I can't deny that I enjoy spending time with him though. His company and eating sushi is like a package deal, lol. Also, one of these days I'll get him to take a REAL and NICE picture with me. It's my goal every time we hangout! ^^

Back to school.

Spring semester '14, wsp. 5 classes, 16 units. All of my classes are on completely opposite sides from each other, so I'll be busting missions back and forth on MW's. It was your typical syllabus with brief introductions to the first chapter kind of day. I'm kind of upset how all my textbooks are actually required. It's hurting my bank account, and I can't stand asking my parents for money. Ugh, oh well. First day conquered.

As a TL, I swear I feel 10x more drained after a shift. That feeling definitely won't work for me now that I'm back to school. Good thing I changed my availability. Also, I can't stand being understaffed.

Ms. Thompson will make a great mom one day.

If sky's the limit, boy I'm running out of air.
This way I'm feeling, I can never ever compare
My world is spinning, but as long as you're here
I'll be yours forever

Gerico's last day.

"Why does it upset you so much?"

"You wouldn't understand. No one would."

I started missing you from the moment you said, "This is going to be my last month at Harkins."

I could probably tell you our entire story. How we met. How he got my number. Every time we've hung out. Every conversation. Every song we've quoted in our conversations. Every time he's denied taking a picture with me. Every time he's noticed the little things about me. Everything he's taught me. & All the places he's shown me. 

Tuesdays and Thursdays were always my favorite days. As busy and different as our schedules were, at least I had those 8 hours in 2/7 days of the week to look forward to.

Things will definitely be different now. I really am happy for him though. I know that he'll do great and go far. It is Gerico after all, how can he not?

---------------

He has really become someone close to my heart, and I really hope that not seeing him as much anymore doesn't change the kind of friendship that we have. Ever since he became important to me, it's been really difficult to picture how things would be without him. 

Sometimes we have to be broken down so that we can be rebuilt into what we're actually meant to be.

Things I've learned

*NOTE: BLOG IN PROGRESS

From Gerico:

• Please and thank you's. 
• Lists! 
• Four things -- Pretzels, hot dogs, bibs (make sure they match up) and floors
• During rushes -- Popcorn, popcorn bags and boxes
• Don't forget about breaks (Coordinate with other TL's on weekdays)
• If someone is running for someone else, take over and have them hop on if needed
• Pretzel seasonings
• Take out the wrapper from the cup displays -- "It's not what we sell"
• The timing in taking down one side when closing depends on who the floor manager is

From Amanda:

• Bundle passes throughout the day
• Keep a list of how many passes you have, that way you just match up numbers by close time
• Lost and found: No food or drinks!

From Janet:

• Assigning registers can sometimes be pointless because they throw everyone on
• TLC for soft pretzels!
• When having people cover for lobby, they can still help ushers but check restrooms when needed

First weekend as a TL

Box TL 4-12am (Friday, 02/07):
I walked into the first rush of the day with the knowledge of my closing team member having called off. I counted onto a drawer knowing I was about to endure a busy night, but kept in mind everything that Amanda has taught me thus far. As a team member in box, I only concerned myself with lines and cutting up passes. As a TL, not only did I hop on when I needed to in order to help out with the lines, but I also needed to keep track of passes (bundling them to make it easier on me to close), breaks, guest services, and paychecks considering it was payday. Guest services was filled with swaps, on swaps, on swaps! Apparently, I "was in the zone." That came from one too many people that night, haha. Since my closer called off, I was REALLY thankful that Katherine was willing to stay. Besides the refunds, the packet turned out to be even which I was happy about. After clocking out that night, I felt better about myself because even though things weren't perfect, it went pretty damn smooth.

Box TM 10-6pm (Saturday, 02/08)
Yes, it was a team member shift but I definitely did things that was supposed to be the TL's job. With a team member shift, my first priority are the lines. I realized that my TL that day wasn't keeping up with the passes, and on his down time all that he was doing was watching the projector. Needless to say that I did him a favor and did all the bundling for him. It was a good thing I did also, because when I came back from my 30 I was asked to help with the packet because he didn't know how to yet. Amanda, who was crowd control, jumped in to help him however since I was on register because of lines. When it started to die down, I did my part in helping out when he says, "I need to go because I'm about to hit my 8th hour." I realized that his swaps, refunds, and ultimate passes were off. So, as he left Amanda and I were stuck trying to figure out where he went wrong. It took us a good 30min+ to get everything down. Still don't know how we miraculously got all the numbers to match, lol. When she told me that "It would've been worse if I didn't have your help" that made me feel good. Especially because it came from her, the queen of box office!

Concessions TL 8-4pm (Sunday, 02/09):
I went into this shift really nervous, and of course the first thing that Heaston tells me when I see him is, "Be prepared for a rough morning. We're understaffed and three people have already called off." Great. I made it a point to get all the opening chores done, that way we can stock up on what we can before any rushes came our way. We were hit about an hour after opening, and after that it was non-stop. I felt like I had to work twice as hard because I didn't have a concessions manager, and my swing didn't come in until 1. It goes without saying that shift was really brutal, and I was definitely drained by the end of it. The only good thing that came out of it was how well management thought I did. & That made me pretty damn proud for my first CTL shift. Also, as I was walking out I heard my name, and it was Mr. Wilson calling me over.

"Are you off?"

"Yeah."

"I know we were understaffed, but you did a really great job today."

"Thanks! That actually means a lot." 

"You're getting better everyday, Keana. Keep it up."

I guess you can say that my first weekend as a TL wasn't half bad. ESPECIALLY when you take into consideration with how busy it was. & I'm happy that it was. But again, there's always room for improvement.

When letting go of old habits, old memories, what's important is that we don't stop believing that we can have a new beginning. But it's also important to remember that amid all the crap, are the few things worth holding on to.

Night of Jan. 31, 2014.

I got promoted.

When I was being taken upstairs, all I could think about was what I could have done wrong. Write up? I haven't been late recently. I never go over on my breaks. It can't be inaccuracy because I always count back my change. What else was there? I was shaking because I couldn't figure it out.

"Before I start, is there anything that you want to tell me?"
"Not that I know of, no."
"Are you sure? Nothing at all? Think really hard."
*There was a pause as I ran all the possible scenarios in my head once more.
"Yes, I can't think of anything."
"Then why would you think that you're in trouble?"

She flips over an evaluation paper as I let out a relieving sigh.
"Calm down Keana, you're just getting your evaluation."
"Didn't I already do my eval? Ms. Thompson gave it to me just a few weeks ago."
"Yes, but you need another one when you get promoted."
"Wait, what?"
"Congratulations Keana, we're promoting you to become a Team Leader."

My mind was racing, and the first two things that I thought about was the conversation that I had with Ms. Patterson JUST on Tuesday, and Gerico. Is it a bad thing that I felt more scared/nervous than happy/excited? As she was going over my evaluation, I couldn't help but think that I wasn't ready. Not yet. I still have a lot to learn and things to improve on in all areas. What could I have done that would possibly make management think that I was ready?

I'm not afraid to admit that I'm scared for how everyone will react to these new promotions. I understand that I shouldn't care about what other people think, but I do. However, what's done is done. I can only continue to grow and strive to improve from here. I'm not going to be one of those TL's that choose to stop putting in the effort or no longer feel the need to listen to others just because they already have it. No, you have to follow before you can lead, and I'm going to work for it and prove to myself as well as my peers that I'm capable of this position. I promise.

Am I a fool for always thinking with my heart?

I met you at the peak of last summer
I was looking for a change, not a lover
Then you came around and I couldn't resist you
And it all started from the moment I kissed you
Then I fell harder than I ever wanted

When I was falling down, you caught me at the right moment.

Some things weren't meant to last, but I want to last with you.

This risk can be ugly or beautiful.

There are some people that come and go
But some memories are worth to hold
I'll remember what you gave to me
You're a chapter in my book
A love story

I've been doing a lot of writing but they're all saved as drafts. It's been difficult for me to word things lately.