It's only a few days to the concert now. I've been put on swing shift, 9:30 to 6:30, all week, working the salad bar. It's not hard work, it's just the little details that trip me up. Bo, my instructor, said it would be fine for me to run a early shift on Friday; that means I'll go in at 8, like a regular trade day, and leave at 3:30 - plenty of time for headcount and last minute packing. Brian and Scarlett are equally excited to go - we're all craving a night out like a fat kid craves cake. Today, though, I have an ESP, which is basically a general maintenance and upkeep for my track record. I don't think I'll be graduating to a silver card yet, my dorm score is still too low for it, but I can't wait to see how Bo's graded me. I got to know him and a lot of my other teammates a lot better during Camp Crew in Texas, so I feel more at home in the kitchens. I haven't studied for my ServSafe test in a while, though, so I hope I'll have a chance next week.

Wishlist again!
-Blank address labels. It's troublesome to ask dorm staff to print up a label if I want to send a box.
-Japanese Cherry Blossom from Bath and Body Works. My first bath set is nearly gone; I use the body wash, lotion, and body spray. I'm good on perfume.
-Cherry Blossom reed diffuser oil. This might be harder to find, but the girls love the smell.

I'm a little nervous. It's been a while since I performed on stage, and I'll have a friend there cheering me on. I want to do my best, but what if I've lost my touch?

I've decided second shift's a rough but worthwhile shift. I may take it more often in the future. I also want to make sure I'm ready for when I finish the program; a lot of people go on to advanced training in California. I know one interview question is whether you speak the language of your chosen cuisine. To that end, I'm going to save up for Rosetta Stone Japanese for my computer, and work with my friend Rachel as well.

With people leaving so often, it feels so hard to make and maintain friendships. I wonder if I've been forgotten as quickly by other people as I've forgotten some of the first faces I met when I arrived.

I forgot to do thank you's in my last blog, I think... So! For my big black bag, which I have used every day so far: Thank you Margaret! For fresh stamps: Thank you Grandma! For tasty treats: Thank you Mom and Dad, Linda and Grady, and Uncle Tony! For everyone who is thinking about me while I keep working: THANK YOU!!! I'll be able to come home for a visit soon, for a little better than two weeks. I miss everyone bunches!

New wishlist!
-Melaleuca Lip Conditioner. My stick is running low.
-Melaleuca Toothpaste. FreshMint (blue), not SpearMint (green). The gum was super tasty too, but I'd prefer the breathspray.
-New palette of eye makeup. I can't go around looking like a diva every time I choose to pretty up; gotta save some for stage :P

Camp Crew was less work than I expected, but oh my gosh, the climate! I can live with the 90 degree days and the 20 degree nights, but it was so freakin' dry! My nose bled every other day, and I was half sick with the temperature changes. I even lost my voice for a while there. But when I got it back, everyone kept asking me to sing each morning. One firefighter actually gave me a dollar for singing; I was so embarrassed!

I still feel very discombobulated after the breakup with Alex. I was working so hard to make a future with him possible, so now I feel like I have to recalibrate my entire plan for myself... I'm just happy we've stayed close. He really is the best thing that's ever happened to me.

To anyone who didn't hear it from me before, Happy mOther's Day!! I LOVE YOU BUNCHES!

Between my phone being replaced and being on shift, it's been difficult for me to want to write on this blog again.

This is Tim's last week on center; he graduates on Friday, and then he'll go back to Versailles, KY. We've made sure that we'll be able to keep in touch, but I'm still going to miss him very much.

So many people are leaving just as I got here, it seems. It begs the question: Why bother networking? It's gotten too painful for me to make friends and then lose them so quickly. Maybe I'll just absorb myself in extra duties; it might get me noticed for leadership or something...

For the first time since I got here, I've found myself missing home. Luckily, it's only another handful of weeks until we go on summer break :) even shorter until I perform with Mike McCarroll again.

Peatburn on Thursday was a bust! We got all the way there, only to have them tell us, "Oh, we don't need you now, it's been canceled." On the upside, during the drive back, I heard the song "Gimme That Wink" on the radio! I haven't heard that son on the radio since I was a girl in Key West! It really made my day.

It's been two months since I got here, & it already feels like home. The center supervisor, called "Dad" because of his initials, really meets a lot of people on their level. He's lots of fun. The rules are at a constant level similar to a high school, for the simple fact that it houses a piece of the school system, which makes it hard to give anyone a hug if they're opposite sex...

And my phone has decided it wants to die now. Hopefully the new phone my mom's ordered will come in really soon!

Figured out why my phone's been acting up. It'll hold out a while longer....

This past weekend was a little dull. Mostly I kept busy by watching movies with Tim Walton. Hopefully as the weather warms up, we can get in some tennis games before Walton graduates at the end of April. But the weather here is more schizo than Georgia! It snowed this past week yet again. My instructor thinks that's the last of it, though.

Walton's decided to try to take my mind off of Alex by taking me to London, KY on weekend pass. Since I hold a bronze Color Card, I get two weekend passes every month, so it's all good.

A few wishlist pieces...
- Pens. Good ones, superfine tips would be nice, either black or blue ink. I need them for outlining sketches & for labeling foods in the kitchens when I'm on shift.
- A change sorter to keep on my closet shelf. I always have a handful of change left over from payday, & my changepurse is getting full...

How is my closet not full yet? All I can say is, thanks for the door organizer, Mom - it's been a lifesaver!

Tomorrow I go out on a peatburn with the fire team, so I need all my rest. Ni ni!