Its been a little over 3 weeks now that I've been here on Mackinac Island. Learning and training ALOT! The Grand Hotel opened this past Friday, May 6th. We started off serving a dining room filled with about 900 people! I will admit, it was a quite overwhelming having 30 tables to serve all at once. Guess this is when the old saying "practice makes perfect" comes into play. Each night serving as a wine steward in the dining room gets more comfortable, I'm still trying to create my routine and get over stage fright. During the peak of the season the dining room can hold up to 1500 people from what I hear. Thank God I have wonderful people around me and back at home encouraging me everyday. I've been blessed to work with some pretty cool people and serve some pleasant guests. Working as a cocktail server and reception bartender have been fun experiences so far. Walking about 3+ miles a day. I get the chance to interact with the guests, where in the dining room I don't really get the chance too because of the rush. It gets so hectic. I wish I could have more time in the dining room to talk to my guest in detail about their choice of wine. I'm all about quality over quantity, but I might just have to bite the bullet here for now so I can get the experience to come home with and perhaps work at a more intimate restaurant. My next goal is to work at a winery or on a vineyard. I study study study while I'm here. We have a 20 page wine list that I have to get familiar with. Today I assisted in training some new beverage servers, which made me feel kinda of special. Figured I've been here for 2 weeks training so I better have an idea of what I'm talking about. My uniform makes me look like a penguin! (hahaha) a cute penguin. Me and white clothing dont get along, especially dealing with RED wine. Not a fan of having to button up my collar, don't know how you gentlemen do it. Oh yes, and my vocabulary has improved...yes sir, yes mam....welcome ladies and gentlemen. And I hate having to wear nylons!
I had a chance to exlore the island a bit....beautiful! I cant get over how Lake Huron looks like the ocean and its not even the biggest of the great lakes. Even cargo carrier ships past thru here. I've learned from the locals how to indentify parts of Michigan by using your hand as a map (kinda the same shape). Many of the guest ask me where I'm from and wonder what I heck I'm doing out here from California (hahaha) There's a handful of fellow Californians working here as well. Aparently there's quite a few places I need to visit while I'm here, like Traverse City, MI. Hope I can get some time off to do so. I'll need to get off this island once in a while; can feel pretty isolated here at times. I'm excited to go to Walmart on the main land tomorrow. How sad! (haha) Tried some local wines here from Traverse City, MI...I'm impressed! I've learned to always
try the local wines in your travels. Some might surprise you, plus you'll be supporting the area. Just think about how proud you are of your home. The thing to do out here is going out to the bars at night. Had some pretty good times so far.... (hahaha) but having to walk home is a killer. Once the season picks up I dont think there will be much time for that anymore.
I still miss home, but as long as keep working I wont think about it much. So happy to of found a wonderful christian church here....home. I'm starting to believe there's another reason for this adventure then just experience being a wine steward. I can already tell my relationship with God growing closer. I pray now to keep my eyes and heart open to His direction. God is definitly speaking to me through scripture. For instance, Romans 5:3-5, which is a verse I dedicated my American Cancer Society Relay for Life team, "Rejoice in Hope", as a hope verse for those fighting cancer, I can relate to my situation now. Hard work and scarficing being away from home. Even verses such as Psalm 16:11 and James 1:3-4. I think the word to sum up my experience/situation so far is "perseverance". I focus on counting my blessings now instead of dewling on the negative. I remind myself that I was blessed with this job and opportunity at such a prestigous hotel. What I've learned so far about selling drinks, even wine...be suggestive! Most guests really don't know what they want, but to be lured into drinking something. New strategy of mine ;)
Thanks to all of you for your encouragement. Keep praying please. God bless you!
love, Kristine
