Marinated Tuna

I automatically called out “hello!” as the doorbell rang. The classic customer service tone has been seeping into my voice lately, but as I looked up from my task, the robotic tone fell away. “Hi!” I beamed. Mentally, I was jumping up and down squealing Marinated Tuna Girl! 

I quickly started on her deconstructed sushi (a.k.a. poke bowl)—I memorized it a few weeks back after she told me how she had just finished sculpting 200 clay pots for her senior class (Marinated Tuna Girl is an art teacher). It was the first custom bowl I ever memorized, though I knew it wasn't necessary—kind of like how it wasn't necessary for the coffee barista to remember my name after my first visit to Fore (cafe in Indonesia). After sprinkling the garlic and onion crisps on top of her poke bowl I rang her up and wished her a lovely day.

So, when did I start serving poke bowls? Let’s review.

- I haven’t graduated high school yet.

- I'm taking classes at  the University of Minnesota (for free!) through the PSEO program—semi-lying to people that I’m actually a college student—while also applying to colleges.

- I’m now wonderfully comfortable in Spanish, though I’ll admit my grammar isn’t perfect.

- I can DRIVE again.

- I have my own income.

- I AM AN ADULT (and I have an “I VOTED” sticker to prove it). ¡¡¡MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

In the span of a week in September, I went from no jobs to two jobs; I wouldn’t exactly describe myself as a person of patience… or much sanity. I now work as an Engineering Technician at a start-up called Steam Factory where I am officially employee #1, and as a Crew Member at Hawaii Poke Bowl. 

I'll talk about the start-up more later. Maybe.

With my recent new experience in foodservice, I’ve got some things to say:

• Be. Nice.
• Please.
• Seriously.
• We remember you (and I nickname you).
• And push in your chair pretty please.

Now, about Marinated Tuna Girl. I think it’s important to note that I don’t have an insane memory. I want my customers to know they matter to me, and I do that by remembering their orders and the little details. One regular works from home for a tech start-up in California and frequently praises the remote-work lifestyle. Another guy, probably also in some technical field, helplessly shrugged his shoulders, explaining to me that he can’t fix a problem that isn’t there. Another analyzes the genetic makeup of people’s babies. 

People are so random. I love it. And! I love that I get to play a part in their lives—it’s so easy to make somebody’s day better. It doesn’t take much; suggesting a new sauce combination (did you know that spicy poke and sesame yuzu go really well together?), making a joke, chatting with them in their first language (Spanish), or even listening to them vent about their day... and it's so easy for other people to make my day better too. I rode the high of someone complementing my eyelashes for WEEKS.

When I was abroad, I experienced a lot of kindness. Cafe baristas, juice makers, street vendors—they were a part of that, and have earned themselves a soft spot in my heart. I’m honored to be a food service worker. Plus, free food!

After some consideration, I don’t think these blogs are ending anytime soon—though they may become even more inconsistent than usual, if that’s even possible. After all, the new experiences won’t end until my life does. Ha.

Thanks for reading ❤️

P.S. Cash tips aren’t usually reported and therefore aren’t usually taxed 😉