Finally There

The last few days at work, have been some of the best I've had since I've been at Aslan.  It's hard to say what exactly has changed to make this so, but I'll try...

I'm really feeling a sense of 'ownership' over my job, and know it very well.  I also am feeling a new sensation  of really belonging, and that I'm more a part of the team, verses being a guest or something there.  Also, our schedule is a little more back to normal, and we haven't been so short handed.  This seems to have helped attitudes and morale, maybe more than anything.  In short, everything has just finally 'clicked,' I suppose.  I've also tried to remain more grounded, personally, and have been meditating, and trying to have an open, positive attitude, and to not be so reactionary.  This helps.  

I haven't worked on anything new, per se, because we haven't had any parties or special events that required food.  However, I'm always thinking of ways that something could be even better.  

Some of these things?  I would add fresh garlic to our pico de gallo to make it more authentic, not to mention even more delicious.  I would utilize our Vita Mix more often, instead of just relying on the Robot Coup.  They would need to acquire the accelerator tool for this, and I think it would make some of the sauces and purees easier/better.  I would add something new to the menu more frequently; apparently they do this seasonally, but I think a weekly special, new item (not counting the soup) would be a wonderful creative outlet, not to mention something exciting for the customers.  This could utilize ingredients that we already have in stock.  

I've worked out on the line a few times now, and did so again recently.  Considering I usually just go out and help them a bit only when they're short handed and very busy, I think I did fine.  I enjoyed the experience, though I felt the kitchen is too small for what they are trying to accomplish numbers-wise!  I managed to keep up niceLy, and worked the Garde station again.  Leslie had me come out to work with her, then Val got there and took over as Expo.  After a while, I headed back to finish my prep list.  

I've not been able to take photos of any of the food, since we are strictly forbidden to have our phones on us while we work.  They just installed new lockers, and our phones must stay in them, until after our shift.  I could probably talk to Val about this, for an exception to take pictures for my blog, but I haven't had the chance.  The pace is very fast there!  

So, here's to making it work!  Until next week...