Friday, December 5, 2008

High Ho, High Ho...

It's off to work I go. I finally got a job waitressing at a family-owned Italian restaurant. I started on Monday and absolutely hated my first shift. It has since gotten better, but I still really don't like it and I'm surprised I've made it this far. It's difficult because no one I work with speaks English - they are all Italian and Brazilian - and they speak to one another in their own languages. I don't understand what they're saying and they don't understand what I'm saying, and it gets frustrating and lots of things seem to get screwed up as a result. I've learned that when it's not busy and there's nothing to do, pretend you're busy and Windex something. I'm amazed there aren't holes worn through the tables considering how often they Windex them. Everyone who works there is really serious during their shift - they don't talk and they are always doing something, even if it doesn't have to be done. The minute we're finished work, they loosen up and they're normal. I don't get it. It's like they've been brainwashed by the owners and they're scared of them or something. It's a really weird atmosphere, and I hope to get out of there soon. It also takes almost two hours to get to work and back. I take the train there during the day and the bus home with the rest of my co-workers at night. I work every night, weekdays and weekends, which is pretty miserable. Matt's at our hostel with our group of friends, cooking dinner together and going out, and here I am at work. It sucks - I hate feeling like I'm missing out on all the fun. Matt hasn't been able to get a job yet. Apparently almost 600 people a day are losing jobs in Ireland, so it's not looking too promising. I guess all this talk about a recession might actually be true.


Matt and I took the tram to the end of the line, stopping at random stops to check out different parts of Dublin. We stopped in at this grocery store for lunch - that's some happy bologna!


A ship on the Liffey, on our walk to the Docklands


I've had a pretty tough week and a bit - getting frustrated with job hunting, getting a job that I don't like, missing home, thinking about Christmas - I think it's all finally hitting me. The thought of staying at our hostel for Christmas kinda depresses me. So, we've just booked a flight to Berlin for Christmas and I'm super pumped about it! Germany has the best Christmas markets in the world, and it'll be something new and exciting and festive to do. We're leaving on December 19th and arriving back in Dublin on December 26th. We'll be staying in hostels, and by the look of their websites, hostels are way nicer there!


Christmas at Kinlay House


We went pubbing last weekend with some Austrian girls from our hostel and our Aussie roomie. It was a blast. The pubs here are packed full every night of the week. I took a video of the band playing some Tom Cochran but I can't seem to upload it to my blog. You'll just have to imagine how fun it was!


Matt at Farrington's Pub with the girls


Temple Bar streets


You never get an uninterrupted nights sleep in our hostel - especially in our room. Our Aussie friend talks in her sleep and occasionally sleep walks/does things. She has conversations and sits up and down, sometimes stands up then goes back to bed. Last night she was laughing so hard for a good five minutes. It was the funniest thing I've ever witnessed. I wish I knew what she was laughing about because it sure seemed funny!

Well, it's time to get ready for another night of work. I'll try to update you again soon!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

wow, that balonga puts alphabet macaroni balonga to shame!

Anonymous said...

Hi Ho Hi Ho jus want to say Hello

Love, Mom & Dad

Anonymous said...

Oh Alex what a delight to hear from you guys again! I love the stories, keep 'em up and I really hope the job starts to go a bit better. If not, I have some italian swear I could teach you......no? haha, talk soon again.

Anonymous said...

Hey Alex.
Sorry to hear about your job. I have one word of advice...quit.
Look for another bar/restaurant job (you now have experience to throw on your resume, so you have better odds)
Berlin eh? That sounds awesome. Nina and I just got back from Amsterdam. We loved it so much we started to look for apartments!! We are going back in the spring. You should check it out.