Day Off

I love my job. We get told all the time that we serve the best burgers in Idaho Falls. If you haven't been, you MUST go to Five Guys Burgers and Fries and see for yourself. I work there usually five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday. So, today being Monday, was my day off.

I was up in the morning in good time and doing things. I realized that I needed to run some errands in IF and I decided to stop by work to make sure there were no surprises in my schedule this week. I made it my first stop.

As I am approaching (yes Brittany, I said APPROACHING) the front door, one of my friends and coworkers saw me and made some comment that if one more employee came in on his/her day off and ordered food she would have a cow. I thought it was kind of strange she said that until I saw why. I walked in and I could not believe it. I did not work at this place. Peanut shells everywhere, tables all askew. The garbage cans were so full that people were beginning to place their trash next to the cans. Standing room only. I have NEVER seen the place that full. Apparently they had been that busy all day with only three people working and two managers. There definitely should have been a full crew. Their attempts to call for help had failed because they couldn't get ahold of the general manager and assistant. Another one of my coworkers asked where we kept a certain item that I usually take care of and stock. Everyone was running so fast that I decided to just take care of it. Me in my flip flops and casual shirt. So I was stocking the small cups when I had guests (we don't refer to them as customers) started saying things like, "Oh, you're out of straws over here," and, "Do you have any lemons?" Before long I was handed an extra t-shirt and hat and I was at work. At first I was so incredibly overwhelmed that I didn't know where to start, but before long things did start to look a little better. I wish that I had taken before and after pictures for the full effect. They kept me there, working for five and a half hours in my flip flops. Really against the rules.

Strangely enough though, it made my day. Part of it was because I felt needed and that's always nice, but moreso I think because of something I was taught in church some time ago. I admit that today I was frustrated with personal matters and I was in no happy mood at all. Then I go into work and I see that I have nothing to complain about. It opened my eyes in a small way just for the moment. Also, I was reminded that hard work and a feeling of personal pride in my job really go far.

Can you hear me now? No? uh.... what do I say to that?

I'm not really accident prone; stuff just happens to everyone. These moments do keep life interesting.

My latest adventure was last night boating with the singles branch. I had never really been boating before, meaning I have been on a boat, but not riding behind one on a tube, so I was SUPER excited. I got there and almost immediately a friend and I put on life jackets, hopped on a tube, and held on for dear life. I soon discovered that it was harder to stay on the tube on the 'calm looking' water (not going with the boat) than the water trailing the boat. One time Jamie and I caught some serious air, but we held on. Sadly, the next time around, she didn't make it and fell off. The second go, I almost fell off, but I hung on and she bailed again. I felt as if I was a bad friend for not helping her :(

So the REAL challenge came when another friend of mine and I were behind our branch president's boat. He issued a challenge over the pulpit last Sunday basically saying that he could take us all out. I had already survived 2 wipe outs, and I wanted to go for the big league. Cassie and I had a bigger tube and we were behind a faster boat.

He started out slow to get us into the deeper water, then gunned it and we flipped around gliding (for lack of a better word; it wasn't smooth) across the water. This happened a few more times and then waves from other boats started interfering. The battle began. Cassie and I both made it over a few, but there was just the one that caught us off guard and Cassie bailed. Since Cassie weighed more than me (I'm just really small) I guess it offset the balance on the tube and I remember being ok for about five seconds, then her side of the tube flipped and I was underwater, still holding on until I thought "Hmm.... maybe I should let go." And I do remember thinking that. I was not going to be easily defeated.

I came up from under the water and I swear I have never been so dizzy in my life. In a very familiar place, I could not tell where at all I was The side of my head tingled and my ear hurt. I couldn't hear anything coming from the right side of my head. My depth perception was off. Weirdest feeling ever. President came over and asked what was wrong. Apparently I didn't look right. He had me move my neck around to make sure nothing like that was broken. I must have hit the side of my head on the water. When something like that happens, I'm not thinking about what position my body is in every millisecond.

Anyway, to make a long story shorter, my leaders took me to urgent care and I have nearly no right ear drum. The doctor isn't sure if it's gone or folded or shoved deeper into my ear. She can't even see the little bones. I get to see a specialist and have an ear patch. I'll be ok, and I have another cool story to add to my life!