Alright...again I have neglected my blog. And here is my reasoning...if I can offer an excuse.
I have to clarify something that I posted previously: In my first post, I wrote about how I wanted to start a blog, and how it would be the perfect time to because I was only working Premier and did not have another job. Well, that is not true anymore.
Here's the story! It's a long one. And I'm not one for Reader's Digest Versions.
I worked for Target for exactly 5 years. Like, my last day was my 5th anniversary to the day (December 27th). Anyways, the majority of that time Starbucks was my main work center, and that's the way I wanted to keep it. I was a cashier first, got trained at Starbucks after 6 months of getting hired and then officially moved departments after 9 months of having my job. I still cashiered, did guest service, and bakery, cake decorating, and anywhere else they wanted me, but at my second store especially they kept me mainly in my little corner making coffee (I know you may be thinking...TARGET HAS A BAKERY!? Well, Super Targets do and my second store was a Super. Super DUPER!). Ok, so after years of diligent service and multiple attempts to promote to a better position than just a specialist, that doesn't get paid to be stressed out more than a normal employee, I got fed up and decided to start re-evaluating my future there. I started there with the intention of staying there long term, promoting, and whatnot. Target was my very first job. I was committed! But I also was not expecting to be a 21 year old married college grad homeowner. It was a little much for the retail lifestyle that I had been dealing with. Trevor, the supportive hubby that he is, thought that leaving Target was a good idea as well. Of course, the money manager of the marriage, he was concerned about loosing that income. "I have Premier though!" And his sensible self convinced me that I should get something until Premier is more of a full time thing for me. So I had something lined up to start on January 2nd, put in my notice at Target the week before Thanksgiving and gave them 5 weeks notice. I'm the dream employee, right?! I also got my job offered back to me about 5 times my multiple people. Anyways....three days before my last day at Target the job I had lined up fell through. Merry Christmas to me.
For obvious reasons, I was faced with two choices at this point: recede my resignation and take my job back at Target (which I was told by a few different people was readily available to me if I wanted it..they really liked me there) OR look for another job. After a lot of prayer on Trevor and I's part, and a lot of talking, we both felt that me leaving Target was the best and healthiest solution. But then I need to job search. The idea of this scared the living day lights out me! I had not interviewed with people I did not know for over 5 years! Terrifying. But I got over it...obviously.
Logically, the logical choice for me to apply at is....duh. Starbucks. So I did of course, logically. Ha. Anyways I got desperate and spent the evening of my last day at Target frantically looking into positions at Starbucks. Trevor was at a wedding working so I had time. And then he brought me flowers. See :)
I applied to the 5 stores closest to my house (the number 5 is coming up a lot in this post....weird.) and after a week had not heard anything, I got nervous. You would think that I would be pounced on like a pinata at a child's party. But no.
But alas! I got a call on the morning of January 4th from a Starbucks that is not close to my house, asking for me to come in for an interview. She explained that after so long applications get sent to all the stores in the district, etc, etc, and that's how she found me. I was open to it. The second Target that I worked at was 13 miles from Trevor and I's house, and this Starbucks is about 2 miles closer so it was worth a shot. I scheduled an interview for the next day.
I got there and everything went really smooth. My interview was two questions, then we chatted for a few minutes and my Store Manager, Shayna, job offered me on the spot after a 10 minute interview. I started the next day. Now that's how it's done, friends! WHAT.
Now, it's not exactly what I wanted but I have been really enjoying my job thus far. I feel as though working for Starbucks is a much better fit than a Target Starbucks. I have already been told that I could get promoted to Shift Supervisor immediately but there isn't a spot available right now, and the team I work with is great. Plus my brand loyalty to Starbucks is far in few. Win. Win.
Love me some Starbucks breakfast.
Anyways, my schedule has been a little crazy lately and thus, I have not had a lot of extra time left in my schedule. I'm not so sure that I'm cut out for this blogger thing.
I have a couple things I wanted to share other than my story.
First, I did a top knot for work today, and it was really difficult to do it with my clip in extension. Just saying - hiding those clips that everywhere on your head is tough. It turned out alright though.
Don't worry...I was at a stop light. :)
Second - The Squash part of my post!
I tried this squash at a friend's house a few weeks ago and it was awesome. It is really sweet and super simple. Unfortunately I couldn't get the recipe from her so I winged it. It tasted just like hers! That was a good sign. Here's the ingredients:
-2 Acorn Squash
-2 cups Brown Sugar
~12 Vanilla Wafers, crushed
-2 tbsp Butter
THAT'S IT!! So easy.
Directions:
Cook the acorn squash. It is alright if it's not 100% cooked, but better if it is. This can be done in two ways:
1. Cut in half, gut the seeds and place in a dish. Cook in the oven on 400 degrees for about an hour. Check periodically after 45 minutes to make sure it's not over cooked.
2. Cut in half, gut the seeds and place in a microwavable dish with about 2" of water. Place cut side down, cover with plastic wrap and cook in the microwave for 15-20 minutes.
Do you not need to add anything to the squash before it's cooked.
Once it's finished cooking, scoop the cooked squash into a large bowl and mash. Add the brown sugar, a little more than half the vanilla wafers and the butter. For the brown sugar, I used half dark and half light it was awesome. I love the molassesy flavor of the dark brown sugar, but thought that it would be too much to use all dark. But it's up to your taste preferences. Mix everything together and pour into a casserole dish. Place into the oven to heat the squash thoroughly. Depending on how hot the squash is still from cooking it initially, the time for this will vary. Do this at 350 degrees. If you had you oven on already at a temperature close to that, it should be fine. It will obviously just take longer or shorter depending on if it's warmer or cooler than 350.
Once it's done, you can either leave it in the cassorole dish or transfer into a serving bowl. Sprinkle the rest of the vanilla wafers on top. You can always add more if there's not enough for the top. I did :) Serve.
So easy, right?! This recipe can be halved simply also, or done with three squash, etc. That's why I love it!
Enjoying the leftovers :) Delish!
I hope you guys can bare with me while I transition into this new job. I am working the opening shift most of the time (5am) so I am up no later than 4am and by the time I get off, I normally feel useless for the day. Even with a nap. Thankfully, no opening shifts for my recently or upcoming so hopefully I'll have more energy to write! Let me know how your squash is! Tata for now...
