Wednesday, June 23, 2010

"Big D!"

As of late, I am behind on my blog posting, and a little behind on this tribute, but I wanted to post a few things about my Dad despite already celebrating Father's Day.


If I had a top 10 list of pictures of Dad, this would definitely be in it.  I already posted earlier on my blog that I have the best Mom ever, and the same really goes with my Dad.  I don't know I did to get blessed with such great parents, but they are the bomb!  Dad is one of the greatest examples to me.  His letters while I was serving my mission always seemed inspired.  He always knew what I needed to hear and I loved marking the scriptures he sent me while I was out serving.   Despite being one of the most obedient people I have ever met (we even thought he was one of the three Nephites for a while / we still do) as you can see from the picture, he is goofy and fun!



Dad and I have great memories.  We have had some great Father and son campouts and camputs with scouts.  One time we went to a Cub's game and afterwards he decided it was a good idea to take a shortcut through a sketchy dark alley hahaha I think I was like 12 and being scared out of my mind but I felt safe as well because I was with Dad.  We've done fun things such as model rockets, biking, lego robotics, cleaning up dead mice.

Everyone loves Dad!  Of course our family does, but even my friends think Dad is a tight dude!!...and he is!  I have always been amazed at Dad's ability to work hard, fulfill his callings, enjoy life (through exercise and funny diets), and still have the time to show his great love for us.  He is one of a kind, and I hope that some day I can be a Dad like him.

Dad, you're the best! Thanks for always supporting me and having interest in my life and wellbeing. Can't wait to see you on Saturday!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Florida


A few weeks ago I went out to Florida to see one of my best friends Matteo get married in the Orlando temple. We had all been anticipating the big day and it definitely snuck up on us all really fast.

Matteo and I

It was the first marriage I got to attend in one of the LDS temples and it was definitely a great experience to be part of.  The wedding itself took place in Orlando but we then drove down to Miami for the reception.  Here are some photos and a video from my trip... Sorry for the lack of description and words, but I'm a little short on time...hah.

Highlights of the trip included lock-picking and throwing knives class, AIDs cat, floating down some natural lazy river that seemed like it came out of a movie, the warm water of miami south beach, chipotle, Bill showing up at the airport dressed as Angel Batista and then later his MC Hammer pants, and seeing one of my best friends get married. Congrats Matteo and Nina!!



 

Monday, June 14, 2010

Razor

Have you seen these at Wal-mart? hahaha



Sunday, June 13, 2010

Chef SamyoD Update

Life has been busy.  I'm only two weeks into my new job but I have already clocked in 40+ hours both weeks.  Right now I am basically working 9-5 or 6 every day except Sunday's and Wednesdays.  The first two hours I spend cleaning up the restaurant for opening and making sure the big dish washer is hooked up and ready to go and then I pretty much do food prep the whole time unless there is a big holdup and the dish washer needs some help.  It has been good and my body is more use to it now so the days aren't as tiring as they were the first week.

I'm really grateful for this job because I really think it is teaching me a whole new set of skills and I really love learning about another side of work and life that I haven't experienced.

My tasks as a prep cook are always changing but I usually always do something with the fries, whether it be cutting them up or doing a pre fry, something with onions whether it be cutting them for onion rings or whatever, potatoes, baked and red potato wedges, bacon, portioning meat, cleaning chicken breasts, and seriously an assortment of other jobs and tasks.  When I am at work I get really into it and make sure not a moment is wasted.  I usually don't even really stop for breaks because it is just always super busy and there are things that need to be done.  I think its very possible that in the future I'll train a bit to work on "the line" and do more cooking as a chef/cook.  It's been hard work, but most of the time I have a good time.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Blackhawks




It has been a fun season to follow.  I even got to go to a game in Anaheim during spring break. Patrick Kane has been my favorite player on the Hawks and in the NHL and I couldn't be happier seeing him get the last goal!!  What a fun night!!  Wish I could be at the parade on Friday.

Friday, June 4, 2010

New Summer Job


Tuesday I started working at a new restaurant that is going to open on Monday named Aggy's.  I know, I thought it should be spelled Aggie's as well, but this restaurant is in the same location as a restaurant that recently closed named "Iggy's".  "Iggy's" was a sports grill and it actually did very well in Logan and the one time I went, it was very crowded, but due to poor ownership and management in Idaho, they had to close it down here.  The owner of the building that Iggy's was renting from decided to get together with a few other people and they decided to start Aggy's.  I think it is a great idea because Logan is definitely a college town and who wouldn't want to go to a place named after our mascot?

My current position at Aggy's is as a prep cook (click here to learn what a prep cook is) / dish washer.  Seems like a pretty easy job, but so far over the past three days that I have been working, I have had to do a grip of things including prepare food to be served or cooked and cleaning the dishes.  I was really excited to start this job because of my interest in food and I always wondered how a restaurant operated.  I am currently witnessing it first hand as we prepare for our VIP opening today (Friday) and Saturday and then the grand opening on Monday.


This is not us...but you get the idea.


One of the most interesting things is the separation and division between the people in the kitchen and then the servers and hostesses.  It is actually incredibly interesting to me.  I don't know how many of you have ever been to wal-mart past midnight, but the same people working their at midnight are definitely not the friendly faces that you see in the commercials on tv when they are rolling back prices.  The thought the night crew at walmart was working in the kitchen the first time I stepped back there. ;) One prerequisite about working in the back kitchen is that you need to have a tattoo, piercing, or addiction to cigarettes.  All three is an extra bonus.  I just tell everyone I got an Aggie tattooed on my bum so that I can work in the back.  ;)  In all honesty though, the kitchen crew are the nicest people that I have met at the restaurant.  I am really enjoying to get to know em and work together with them.  Each person seems to have their own story.  Today I was setting up prime rib into servings with a 28 year old dude from Panama that everyone calls "Eh Ooh" (well at least its pronounced like that) and he was telling me about his dream to open up a restaurant of his own.  I want to be the first one to eat at it the day it opens.  These people on the outside seriously might look unfriendly to some, but have started to become a fun new group of friends that I have at work and its been sweet.

On the opposite spectrum of the restaurant, there is the glam of the servers and hostesses.  Its amazing what putting on an apron and standing in the back of a kitchen will do to your image and how people stereotype you.  My housemate Mike also works in the back with me, and it is hilarious to us at how the servers have little respect for us or pay very little attention just because we are workers in the back.  It's so interesting to me and I'm gonna do a little social experiment and see how they treat me as a customer when I walk in the front doors in normal clothes, as compared to how they treat me when I am in the back working as a prep cook / dish washer.

One of the nicer servers today though said something I really liked.  He basically said that the success of a restaurant and nearly everything relies on the productivity, quality, and speed of the kitchen.  It's so true.  How many times do we tip well as a place we just ate because we get our food fast or because its dang tastayyyy.

I have so much to say about this new job.  I am enjoying it because I feel like I am learning a lot about a plethra of things and it's kinda humbling being maybe the lowest ranking job at Aggy's haha, I don't even think management will look me straight in the eyes cause I'm that low. ;) Hopefully later in life I can come back to the restaurant to eat as a more successful business man and relate my stories to a server, and tell him/her about tarting off there when it opened as just a dude in the kitchen.  hahah ;) 

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Summer House Part 1

It's been a grip of days since my last blog post but now that I'm starting to get on a more regular routine, I'll give ya'll an update on past events over the next few days, including my trip to florida, my new job as a prep cook at Aggy's which is opening up soon, my trip to St. George and hiking "Angel's Landing", bowling, strange food, and much moreeeeeeeee hah. ;)

A few weeks ago, me and some buddies moved into a legit house with prime location to campus.  I plan on posting some pics and video of the house but for now here is some before and after shots of my room that I share with Kevin.

Before

After

Here is a quick tour of the room: 


I must say, we have a pretty sweet setup going.  I'll post about the rest of the house very soon.