We All Live in a Yellow Submarine*

*Warning: This post has nothing to do with the Beatles, Ringo, or the color yellow.

So growing up American, I have had my fair share of fast food. There are some places that I had more than others. They were cheaper, faster, and easier. So some fast food restaurants were viewed more as a treat. They were the ones that I only had on special occasions. The one that comes to my mind is Subway.

Subway was something that I probably didn't even know about until I was older, and then it was something that I maybe had two times a year at most. It was more expensive, and it was something we didn't have very often.

Even when I got to college, and at one point there were about 3 Subways in our town (It's a small town), I didn't have it very often. I once worked in a call center in college and it was above a Subway. It always smelled like fresh bread in that call center and for years I associated Subway with Western Wats. While working at Western Wats I had Subway only one time.

Fast forward to the year 2006. I had been out of college for a little over a year. I was looking for another job, as my first job was a nightmare. I had been interviewing, and I landed a job as an Operations Analyst for the Subway Development Corporation of Washington. For those of you not familiar with the way Subway runs, here is a quick run down. Subways are franchised. There is a headquarters in Milton, Connecticut. There are regions called Development Area. There the Development Agent helps franchisees with all areas of operation.

This is where I came in. I was assigned so many stores and had to go in each month and inspect my stores, help with marketing, finances, etc.

So on September 5, 2006 (A year ago next Wednesday) I started as a Operations Analyst for Subway. The first leg of training was actually working in a store and learning the ropes, for a week.

Then they sent us off to Subway school. So my two coworkers and I headed up to Milton, Connecticut for two weeks for intense training. We spent anywhere from 8 to 10 hour days in a classroom and/or a store training. We only had one day off, in which I slept the entire day. I've never had so much information crammed down my throat in my life. To give you an idea of how intense. Everything is done by computers, but Subway wanted to make sure you knew how to do it all by hand, so we looked at inventory pages, and financial sheets, and blah blah blah....

After two long weeks, an excellent pillow fort made on my king size bed every night because I had a thousand pillows and rubbing elbows with hopeful franchisees, I graduated top of my class and I am now certified to run a Sandwich Shop.

So what is my point you make ask? Well as I said. I didn't have Subway very often.

Well from the moment I started training, it's when it all began. The store I first trained in for 4 days, let me eat sandwiches. Then in Connecticut, it got worse. Subway HQ feeds their employees lunch for free, everyday. The menu, an all you can eat sandwich bar with every topping imaginable. (Luckily they did throw in a change of choice every once in a while, meaning, sometimes they added rice). So we had Subway everyday there as well as in our training store.

Then I came back to Virginia, and started my work. For the next 2 1/2 months I spent almost everyday in at least one Subway. Now these owners in hopes of good evaluations or just kind heartedness were forever offering free food. Now I'm one who likes free things, so I would have a sandwich, sometimes more depending on my mood. (By more I mean chips, drink, cookie. I didn't mean more than one sandwich)

I never got tired of this. There was enough variety to switch it up. Unfortunately I hated the job and left in the middle of December. It was not my cup of tea.

A few months later, I realized my disdain for Subway restaurants. I couldn't even go near one. The smell made me sick, and the thought of eating there made me want to gouge my eyes out. So I took a six month hiatus.

Well my friends, yesterday I was buying lunch for one of my employees (I know work at a staffing firm),and she wanted Subway. I decided to take the plunge, and have a sandwich. And believe or not, I was actually able to stomach it.

What did I get you may ask?




Why the Sweet Onion Teriyaki of course.

My only regret is that I never tried enough of the choices while they were free.

This too makes me very sad.

http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1568482/story.jhtml

Bad news.....

This morning I found out some terrible news. My insurance does not cover wigs...

Name that Tune

Have you ever heard a song on the radio and kind of liked it, only to have it overplayed. This is how I feel about the following song.



It's kind of catchy, and entertaining, but not when they play it on every single station. It really got me when it was on 97.1 WASH FM. For those of you not familiar with this station, it's where you turn when you want to hear Celine Dione's "My Heart Will Go On" or "Here and Now" by Luther Vandross. It's not where you play songs by The Plain White T's.

On my way to work today, I must have heard at least three times on three different stations! I thought I was going to go insane. I did have the thought that maybe it was my fault. If I weren't so ADD, I would just leave it on one station instead of switching stations and putting in about four different CD's on my drive to work. (my commute was only about a half hour this morning) Either way, it's still annoying, and I would like control of the airwaves to end this problem.

Just another day in the life of me.

So as a staffing consultant, I get to meet a lot of people. I personally have interviewed well over 100 people, and this is just in person. I can't even count how many people I've interviewed over the phone. Because of this, I get to converse with some interesting people. I decided I need to start posting some of these stories.

Today's story just about a young naive girl. She is currently making 30K. She told me that she wants to make 40-45K. I thought, "Poor stupid girl. No one is going to pay you that with your experience." Some people just don't get it.

Self Discovery

The older I get the more I learn about myself. I was talking to a friend a few weeks ago, and they made a comment that made me think. They said that I don't trust new people. After thinking about this and asking the person what they meant, I realized it's true. I don't do very well with new people, not that I'm not friendly to them, but I don't really let them into my circle.

So as I thought about this, I realized that once I trust a person, I let them in whole heartedly. I am pretty free with things that I will tell them, which can be a dangerous thing. Although I also have different levels of trust. Some people I will definitley share with more than others, but they have earned it.

Now on the flipside I've realized lately, once a person's done something to lose that trust it's very hard to get it back.

Maybe I'm a jerk, but that's me.

I don't get it.

I work in the staffing industry, and I help find people jobs. Above is what we call an I9. It proves that a person is eligible to work in the United States. I have filled countless numbers of the forms out. On the back there are several different documents that will prove your identity and your eligibility. The past couple of days I've been thinking about one in particular. It is known as the Permanent Resident card. First off, the pictures on there always look ridiculous. I can't really describe it; you would have to see it. But here is the part that gets me. I write down the document title, issuing authority, and the number. Then I write down the expiration date.

So what I don't get. If it's a Permanent Resident Card, why is there an expiration date?

Algebra II is a little more complicated.

Thursday+ Lack of sleep + One of your best friends moving + Stress = Feeling sick to your stomach and lots of tears.

Factors I learned in Algebra.

Monday + Head Cold + Good Weekend = Unproductive Day

My fear

So I was thinking today that I have a fear of having ugly children. I know someone that recently had a baby, and I don't think the baby's that cute. Mom is so proud though. I wouldn't dare be a jerk and tell her what I thought, but I would hate to think that my baby was not so good looking, and everyone thought "Oh wow, that's an ugly baby!"

Bring it Tyra!

So I'm feeling pretty cute today, in my new shirt from Old Navy, and my cute shoes I got during VA's tax free weekend. And to top it off, I'm having a fantastic hair day!


So as I made my umpteenth trip to the restroom, I felt a hint of super model walk in my strut as I made my way down the hall.

Drip Drip Drop....

So lately I've been trying to get my daily intake of water. That's a whole 64oz. I'm proud to say that I've been doing it. With this new goal comes consequence. Anyone that knows me, knows I am constantly going to the bathroom. Well imagine that times 10. I literally go to the bathroom at least 5 times, just while I'm at work. Some days it's more! I hate this. Luckily my boss has never said anything, but I'm sure she questions whether or not I really have to go.

To show you how bad it is, here is an example. Sometimes I like to switch it up, and I will use the restroom on the 3rd floor instead of our 2nd floor. Well I went, and then left the restroom. As soon as I walked out, I had to go again! Someone was still in there, so instead of making a fool of myself, I creeped down to 2nd floor and went again.

I just realized that this is all too much information, but I had to get it out.

Kenny, you take me back...

Kenny Cheney has a song called I Go Back; in it he says the line"



We all have a song that some how stamped our lives
Takes us to another place and time


I have thought about that line often and how true it is. I find in my life it doesn't necessarily take me to a place in time. Instead, I find that different songs take me to different people. So I made a list of songs and the people they remind me of. Every time I hear these songs, I am reminded of the people who have or are currently in my life.


Hero-Hot Dan

When You Say Nothing At All-Kole

My Baby and The Christmas Shoes –Elsie

The Way You Make Me Feel-Katrina's dad

Taking it Home -Matt

More Than a Feeling-Jason

Bad Day-Melanie

Check Yes or No-Nathan

Sailing Away-Janae and Elsie

Lady in Red-Greg

All I Ask of You-Grant

Wash that Man Right Out of my Hair-Silvia

My Hips Don't Lie-Luisa

Pachabel's Canon-Stefanee

YMCA-Lauren, Lauren, Stephanie, Sarah, Marcelle

Bohemian Rhapsody and Cheeseburger in Paradise-Lauren

I Want it That Way-Carter

Seasons of Love-Lauren and Lauren and Tommy

I Need to Know-Guitar Boy

What about Love and All Out of Love-Elissa

Lucky-Scott and Jeremy

Duke of Earl-Christina


There really are a whole lot more, but it fear of boring you, I won't. I will say that I am going to see Kenny in concert at the end of this month, and he better sing my song.

Ribbit!

I used to be somewhat of a picky eater. I wouldn’t try anything new. I kind of just stuck to what I knew. I’ve noticed that in the last year, I’ve shed that habit. I am more willing to try new things and open myself up to a world of options. The surprising part is I’ve actually liked a lot of what I’ve eaten. I’ve come to the point where I will try almost anything at least once.

So about a month ago, I was at a restaurant in Reston. I was going to order the frog legs and was quite excited. Well as it turns out, they were out of frog legs. I was very disappointed. Then this past Monday I was telling someone this story and how I am willing to try most things. Well last night, I went to dinner with the boss and her husband, and the temp and her husband, and much to my surprise, frog legs were on the menu! I was so excited, but very nervous that I would be disappointed again. When the waiter came, I timidly ordered fully expected him to say no. I was wrong. They had them! I got to taste my first ever frog legs.

After I was finished I was so excited, and wanting to share in my joy sent a MASS text. As people were replying I was very amused by the varying responses, and I thought I would post them all anonymously today*.

-I pity the next man to kiss you!
-Where?! I ate some in Thailand!
-Yuk!
-Taste like chicken?
-Eww! Nasty!!
-What? That’s amazing! Why would you do that to yourself? Poor frog.
-Congratulations!
-Good for you. How did they taste?
-Yuck!
-Nice well you are well diverse in French cuisine now
-Just like Scott
-Yummy
-Nice! Was it like Chicken?
-Ah rabbit!
-Gross! Why?
-Hmm that don’t sound good to me. Steak for me.
-Are you being adventurous?
-Haha good job! Tasty?
-Taste like seaweed and chicken huh?
-Boney?
-What are you a black person from the south now?
-Frog legs are a common snack food. Next try eel backbones
-Frog legs That’s awesome!
-Did it taste like chicken?
-Yummy! Save some for me : )
-Yay! What an accomplishment!
-I can’t believe you ate frog legs? Yuck….
*Some of these were from the same people after a response was given.




And my synopsis, yes they did taste like chicken, with a slight hint of fish, or as one responder said, “seaweed”. Would I eat them again? Yes, they were delicious!