This last week, I've had the privilege of having a guest over from Kenya. Just a quick run-down, we met in a Jesus-conference in Malaysia because he lost his small group. Our small group adopted him for an afternoon, we exchanged email addresses, I got his regular updates, he came to the United States (in Washington state), and he ended up coming here to the Bay Area for a week. If he didn't lose his small group back in September, we probably wouldn't have met and he probably wouldn't have come here to the Bay Area. Crazy how God works sometimes.
Anyway, it's been a real blast having him over, hearing his story, hearing about what he does back home, and just hanging out. For the first couple of days, he just kind of tagged along wherever I went including the supermarket.
I never thought that I'd feel embarassed in a supermarket. We didn't even go into a Costco (because Alinna and I don't have a membership). He and I went to Safeway. I was all fine. Parked the car in the lot. Got out. Walked in through the automatic door. Then, as I walked into the store and saw the wide selection of food available, I suddenly felt embarassed of the excess in America.
He didn't do or say anything to make me feel embarassed at all. He just kept on smiling, talking with me about his family and what he's been doing since he came into the United States 4 weeks ago. But still I wanted to go through as few aisles as possible in the shortest amount of time (for this reason I decided not to get Doritos even though I had a coupon that would get me two bags for $3). I power-walked through the aisles, went through the checkout counter, got even more embarassed when the person at the register announced my total at a decibel level that seemed like it would rival a Rolling Stones concert, pushed the cart out the store, and finally I picked up my eyes and looked at him again.
The whole experience (which I repeated again with him at Albertsons and Smart & Final later in the week) really reminded me of the privilege I have as an American and brought new life to the times I've prayed before a meal thanking God for the food He provided.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
A Couple of Quick Stories from Peet's
The afternoon rush (somewhere around 3PM) isn't very pleasant. Every other person is on their cell phone, nobody really looks at anybody else, the optimism of a new day is gone, and rudeness abounds everywhere, probably including Peet's workers like yours truly.
I ring this lady up. "Iced coffee, butter croissant, iced vanilla latte." Thirty seconds later, I give her her iced coffee and croissant. She looks at the iced coffee (which is what it sounds like, ice plus coffee) and says, "I can't drink that! Take that away! I didn't want that. I want an iced coffee, you know like a frappucino or something. Throw that away because I won't drink that."
I point out that we serve those too, but that they're different from iced coffees. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but I think what you're talking about is our freddos. As you can see, it's different from our iced coff..."
She cuts me off. "I don't want that. You can't make me buy that. I don't want it."
By this time, there's a queue of people waiting to order something. This lady has already paid for everything. I do some quick thinking, I figure out a way on the register to make it so that she pays the difference between a freddo and an iced coffee on a clean order. And she's finally on her way.
Another story from the other day. A couple of South Asian ladies are roaming the middle part of the store. There's nothing in the middle of the store. On one far end are the drinks. On the other far end are the coffee beans. The middle of the store might as well be the DMZ, there's usually nothing there, at least for customers.
I'm crossing this DMZ to go and help somebody with a coffee bean order but I notice the two South Asian ladies. I don't stop but keep on going by.
"I want some of these samples." One of the South Asian ladies flags me down and points to a sample snack tray with empty sample cups and a few crumbs strewn here and there. Apparently, there had been chocolate covered toffee things out for sampling earlier that day.
"I'm sorry, but we don't have any more of those for sampling today." I look around the area and find some biscotti that were labeled for sampling. I also notice one of my co-workers walking toward the coffee bean customer I was originally going to serve. "But we do have these biscotti to sample."
"Fine, we'll have some of those." I cut up the biscotti, put the bite-sized pieces into new cups, and the take one of the cups each.
With bite-sized biscotti in hand, one chimes in, "Do you have anything else?"
I see that there are also some chocolate eggs (probably from Easter) set aside for sampling too. "We have these as well."
"Fine, we'll have some of those too."
I ask, "Can I help you with anything else?" while glancing over to drinks section to make a hint.
"No. Our husbands come here every morning for coffee (which is likely a lie because I work most mornings and I there aren't any age appropriate South Asian men ordering coffee on a consistent basis). I, we, don't like Peets. I like Starbucks much better. Your coffee here is too strong."
And both women with both hands having a sample, walk out the door.
I ring this lady up. "Iced coffee, butter croissant, iced vanilla latte." Thirty seconds later, I give her her iced coffee and croissant. She looks at the iced coffee (which is what it sounds like, ice plus coffee) and says, "I can't drink that! Take that away! I didn't want that. I want an iced coffee, you know like a frappucino or something. Throw that away because I won't drink that."
I point out that we serve those too, but that they're different from iced coffees. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but I think what you're talking about is our freddos. As you can see, it's different from our iced coff..."
She cuts me off. "I don't want that. You can't make me buy that. I don't want it."
By this time, there's a queue of people waiting to order something. This lady has already paid for everything. I do some quick thinking, I figure out a way on the register to make it so that she pays the difference between a freddo and an iced coffee on a clean order. And she's finally on her way.
Another story from the other day. A couple of South Asian ladies are roaming the middle part of the store. There's nothing in the middle of the store. On one far end are the drinks. On the other far end are the coffee beans. The middle of the store might as well be the DMZ, there's usually nothing there, at least for customers.
I'm crossing this DMZ to go and help somebody with a coffee bean order but I notice the two South Asian ladies. I don't stop but keep on going by.
"I want some of these samples." One of the South Asian ladies flags me down and points to a sample snack tray with empty sample cups and a few crumbs strewn here and there. Apparently, there had been chocolate covered toffee things out for sampling earlier that day.
"I'm sorry, but we don't have any more of those for sampling today." I look around the area and find some biscotti that were labeled for sampling. I also notice one of my co-workers walking toward the coffee bean customer I was originally going to serve. "But we do have these biscotti to sample."
"Fine, we'll have some of those." I cut up the biscotti, put the bite-sized pieces into new cups, and the take one of the cups each.
With bite-sized biscotti in hand, one chimes in, "Do you have anything else?"
I see that there are also some chocolate eggs (probably from Easter) set aside for sampling too. "We have these as well."
"Fine, we'll have some of those too."
I ask, "Can I help you with anything else?" while glancing over to drinks section to make a hint.
"No. Our husbands come here every morning for coffee (which is likely a lie because I work most mornings and I there aren't any age appropriate South Asian men ordering coffee on a consistent basis). I, we, don't like Peets. I like Starbucks much better. Your coffee here is too strong."
And both women with both hands having a sample, walk out the door.
What's Next?
Today, while I was working, I started talking to one of my co-workers, Gisele. Among other things, we got talking about how I'm graduating this June (I don't remember if I've posted this yet, but I'm walking this early June... though I still have 3 classes to go).
She asked the natural question, "So what's next?"
My answer to everybody who's asked me this question over the last month has been the same, "Keep doing what I'm doing right now."
Seems kinda anticlimactic I know, but it's the truth. The three classes left aren't really all that relevant. They're more an addendum to my seminary career than anything else... an expensive, time-consuming, fly back and forth from San Jose to Burbank 5 times during the month of August addendum, but an addendum nevertheless.
I'm planning on continuing to work at Baylight part-time and Peet's part-time. I know that underlying the what's next question is the assumption and the expectation that with the piece of paper in my hand known as the Masters of Divinity, something would change, I would be upgraded somehow. It's the primary reason why most people get more schooling... to initiate a change, to move on up like the Jeffersons.
And thinking back on the last three years, I guess that's happened to me albeit in less dramatic fashion. For one, I'm working in a church I like. Yes, that started a year ago, a year before I graduate and have documentation that I'm qualified in some way or another to work in a church. Two, I'm enjoying the pace of my life right now and the purposefulness I feel on an almost daily basis. Working at Peet's doesn't require an M.Div but it does give me a forum to put the things I've learned in school into practice. And for that, I'm grateful and lucky. And three, well, I can't think of a three right now. Rather, I had one but it just fluttered away. Besides, this post is getting long even for my tastes.
She asked the natural question, "So what's next?"
My answer to everybody who's asked me this question over the last month has been the same, "Keep doing what I'm doing right now."
Seems kinda anticlimactic I know, but it's the truth. The three classes left aren't really all that relevant. They're more an addendum to my seminary career than anything else... an expensive, time-consuming, fly back and forth from San Jose to Burbank 5 times during the month of August addendum, but an addendum nevertheless.
I'm planning on continuing to work at Baylight part-time and Peet's part-time. I know that underlying the what's next question is the assumption and the expectation that with the piece of paper in my hand known as the Masters of Divinity, something would change, I would be upgraded somehow. It's the primary reason why most people get more schooling... to initiate a change, to move on up like the Jeffersons.
And thinking back on the last three years, I guess that's happened to me albeit in less dramatic fashion. For one, I'm working in a church I like. Yes, that started a year ago, a year before I graduate and have documentation that I'm qualified in some way or another to work in a church. Two, I'm enjoying the pace of my life right now and the purposefulness I feel on an almost daily basis. Working at Peet's doesn't require an M.Div but it does give me a forum to put the things I've learned in school into practice. And for that, I'm grateful and lucky. And three, well, I can't think of a three right now. Rather, I had one but it just fluttered away. Besides, this post is getting long even for my tastes.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Warriors and KG
Since the Warriors came home from Utah, Bay Area sports talk radio has been talking about the need to pick up KG (that's Kevin Garnett, 7'0" forward for the Timberwolves for those who aren't sure) to get over the hump.
I think Don Nelson said it best in stating that right now, the Warriors already got over the hump... that hump was getting into the playoffs. After 13 years of ineptitude and wallowing over the draft... nay, having the high point of the basketball season be wondering about who the Warriors are going to pick in the draft lottery, the Warriors have gotten over a huge hump. I've said it once, but it cannot be overstated, these guys should be applauded and celebrated for the great year.
And if we must start talking about the "future" of the Warriors (Kelly wrote an interesting post by the way, about Asian kids and our obsession with the future), I don't think a blockbuster trade involving KG is the "key" to getting over the proverbial hump. Callers have talked incessantly about the Warriors' need for easy points down in the paint during the closing minutes of the 4th quarter.
This line of thought is wayyyyyy over-rated. The great teams of the recent past left the few minutes of the 4th on the shoulders of its star guard and his ability to drive to the bucket or take the 10-15 foot jumper (see Jordan, Wade, and Hamilton).
I'm not saying that the Warriors don't need somebody with a bigger body. My contention is that the Warriors don't need a low post scorer. They just need somebody who can rebound, block a few shots, and run like the dickens to keep up with the rest of the team (after all, Biedrins can't play 48 minutes/game). And they won't have to break the bank to get somebody like that.
This recent obsession with getting an established low post scorer sounds eerily reminiscent of the 93-94 offseason when the Warriors tried desperately to get an established low post presence after getting knocked around in the 1st round of the playoffs by one Charles Barkley. The Warriors' solution? Rony Seikaly. Yes, I'll admit that I thought that Seikaly would be the answer to getting the Warriors over the hump. Hey, Rony Seikaly averaged something like 15 pts and 10 rebounds a game while playing with Miami the year before (he's no Kevin Garnett but he was established). Yes, my hopes rested on Rony Seikaly. And what happened? The subsequent 94-95 season was the first of 12 "rebuilding years." Caltrans rebuilds faster than the Warriors did.
I think Don Nelson said it best in stating that right now, the Warriors already got over the hump... that hump was getting into the playoffs. After 13 years of ineptitude and wallowing over the draft... nay, having the high point of the basketball season be wondering about who the Warriors are going to pick in the draft lottery, the Warriors have gotten over a huge hump. I've said it once, but it cannot be overstated, these guys should be applauded and celebrated for the great year.
And if we must start talking about the "future" of the Warriors (Kelly wrote an interesting post by the way, about Asian kids and our obsession with the future), I don't think a blockbuster trade involving KG is the "key" to getting over the proverbial hump. Callers have talked incessantly about the Warriors' need for easy points down in the paint during the closing minutes of the 4th quarter.
This line of thought is wayyyyyy over-rated. The great teams of the recent past left the few minutes of the 4th on the shoulders of its star guard and his ability to drive to the bucket or take the 10-15 foot jumper (see Jordan, Wade, and Hamilton).
I'm not saying that the Warriors don't need somebody with a bigger body. My contention is that the Warriors don't need a low post scorer. They just need somebody who can rebound, block a few shots, and run like the dickens to keep up with the rest of the team (after all, Biedrins can't play 48 minutes/game). And they won't have to break the bank to get somebody like that.
This recent obsession with getting an established low post scorer sounds eerily reminiscent of the 93-94 offseason when the Warriors tried desperately to get an established low post presence after getting knocked around in the 1st round of the playoffs by one Charles Barkley. The Warriors' solution? Rony Seikaly. Yes, I'll admit that I thought that Seikaly would be the answer to getting the Warriors over the hump. Hey, Rony Seikaly averaged something like 15 pts and 10 rebounds a game while playing with Miami the year before (he's no Kevin Garnett but he was established). Yes, my hopes rested on Rony Seikaly. And what happened? The subsequent 94-95 season was the first of 12 "rebuilding years." Caltrans rebuilds faster than the Warriors did.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Early Morning Person?
The last two weeks I haven't been slotted to work the opening 4:30AM shift at Peet everyday. The opening assignment has been staggered between a handful of people recently. When I'm not opening, I'm starting anywhere from 6AM to 9AM. While a 6AM beginning might have sounded daunting a month ago, it feels like "sleeping in" now.
This isn't to say that I'm completely used to my new daily schedule. As evidenced by Alinna and my visit to John and Alissa's place last night to watch Heroes, I quickly melt down at about 9:30 or 10PM. Maybe melt down's not the term I'm looking for since it evokes images of Chernobyl and nuclear disasters. A guess a simple "melt" will suffice in this case. I was a puddle on their sectional couch while I watched Hiro Nakamura (my kinsman) swing from his perky ups to his disappointed downs with ease.
This isn't to say that I'm completely used to my new daily schedule. As evidenced by Alinna and my visit to John and Alissa's place last night to watch Heroes, I quickly melt down at about 9:30 or 10PM. Maybe melt down's not the term I'm looking for since it evokes images of Chernobyl and nuclear disasters. A guess a simple "melt" will suffice in this case. I was a puddle on their sectional couch while I watched Hiro Nakamura (my kinsman) swing from his perky ups to his disappointed downs with ease.
Monday, May 14, 2007
KNBR, the Warriors, and Perspective
I listen to sports talk radio quite a bit and today hasn't been an exception.
One thing that's struck me about today's KNBR shows is that a lot of "Warriors fans" have been complaining and scratching their heads over what's "wrong with the Warriors." I guess ever since they lost last night to the Jazz, the Warriors suddenly have something wrong with them. Just goes to show how greedy "Warrior fans" are.
Alinna doesn't understand this about me, but I'm elated that the Warriors got this far. In fact, it's mind boggling. To me, it doesn't matter if the Warriors lose the series to the Jazz... at the beginning of the series, I was saying that it didn't matter if the Warriors got swept (though I will still root for them to win). Everything past game 6 of the first round Mavericks series is, to me, a bonus. This team has come a long long way this year. The way they finished the season, getting rid of Dunleavy and Murphy and getting something good in return, avoiding the lottery since I was a freshman in high school... the list goes on.
There's nothing wrong with the Warriors. They're an 8th seed in the 2nd round of the playoffs. They're undersized, don't rebound the basketball well, and depend on playing a style of basketball that yes, will surprise some teams but is not likely sustainable over the course of a long series of games... at least with the players they have now.
This Warriors team has done so much this season. Be happy with the ride they've given you Bay Area. Significant strides have been taken. Lest you forget, Adonal Foyle started a good number of games for the Warriors just last season.
One thing that's struck me about today's KNBR shows is that a lot of "Warriors fans" have been complaining and scratching their heads over what's "wrong with the Warriors." I guess ever since they lost last night to the Jazz, the Warriors suddenly have something wrong with them. Just goes to show how greedy "Warrior fans" are.
Alinna doesn't understand this about me, but I'm elated that the Warriors got this far. In fact, it's mind boggling. To me, it doesn't matter if the Warriors lose the series to the Jazz... at the beginning of the series, I was saying that it didn't matter if the Warriors got swept (though I will still root for them to win). Everything past game 6 of the first round Mavericks series is, to me, a bonus. This team has come a long long way this year. The way they finished the season, getting rid of Dunleavy and Murphy and getting something good in return, avoiding the lottery since I was a freshman in high school... the list goes on.
There's nothing wrong with the Warriors. They're an 8th seed in the 2nd round of the playoffs. They're undersized, don't rebound the basketball well, and depend on playing a style of basketball that yes, will surprise some teams but is not likely sustainable over the course of a long series of games... at least with the players they have now.
This Warriors team has done so much this season. Be happy with the ride they've given you Bay Area. Significant strides have been taken. Lest you forget, Adonal Foyle started a good number of games for the Warriors just last season.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
One Week Veteran
I say "one week veteran" tongue-in-cheek. After working at Peet's for a whopping full week now, I am now just getting out of the utterly helpless and incompetent phase.
My manager says, "Most people think that this is an easy job, but it's not." While I wouldn't say that it's a difficult job, it does take a while to finally figure out how to do most everything and do them quickly. For the record, I haven't touched the espresso machine yet... sorry all you latte and mocha fans, I can't make you one.
What can I do after five shifts? Make coffee, make iced tea (I sound a little girly when I say this, but I found out this week that I like the coolers they serve at Peets), bag and grind beans, load the pastries on the tray (which is harder than it sounds because all the bran muffins look the same and part of the job is labeling them), and work the register... sort of.
I also remember the names of two customers, Karen and Keith. Although, if you ask me what their drinks are... well, one thing at a time, one thing at a time.
My manager says, "Most people think that this is an easy job, but it's not." While I wouldn't say that it's a difficult job, it does take a while to finally figure out how to do most everything and do them quickly. For the record, I haven't touched the espresso machine yet... sorry all you latte and mocha fans, I can't make you one.
What can I do after five shifts? Make coffee, make iced tea (I sound a little girly when I say this, but I found out this week that I like the coolers they serve at Peets), bag and grind beans, load the pastries on the tray (which is harder than it sounds because all the bran muffins look the same and part of the job is labeling them), and work the register... sort of.
I also remember the names of two customers, Karen and Keith. Although, if you ask me what their drinks are... well, one thing at a time, one thing at a time.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
First Day on the Job
So, today was my first day working at Peet's in Los Altos.
Yes, after almost graduating with a graduate degree, I'm working at a coffee house. I need the regular schedule that it gives me and I'm just looking for a way to plug more deeply into my community and neighborhood. Plus, I just like the coffee there. But enough of my need to justify myself...
It was my first day and they got me starting off with the opening shift (because I requested morning working hours so that I could do church work in the afternoon), and that means being at the store at 4:30AM. Yep, the other 4:30. If you're interested enough in reading this blog, it probably means that you know me well enough to know that I am by no means a morning person, and I think this qualifies as a beyond morning person job. We'll see how I hold up after consecutive 4AM mornings (this week I'll be there for opening from Monday to Thursday).
My shift runs froms 4:30AM to noon this week except for Wednesday when I'm working from 4:30 til 8:30AM. Come on by if you have time. It's the downtown Los Altos location on State Street.
Yes, after almost graduating with a graduate degree, I'm working at a coffee house. I need the regular schedule that it gives me and I'm just looking for a way to plug more deeply into my community and neighborhood. Plus, I just like the coffee there. But enough of my need to justify myself...It was my first day and they got me starting off with the opening shift (because I requested morning working hours so that I could do church work in the afternoon), and that means being at the store at 4:30AM. Yep, the other 4:30. If you're interested enough in reading this blog, it probably means that you know me well enough to know that I am by no means a morning person, and I think this qualifies as a beyond morning person job. We'll see how I hold up after consecutive 4AM mornings (this week I'll be there for opening from Monday to Thursday).
My shift runs froms 4:30AM to noon this week except for Wednesday when I'm working from 4:30 til 8:30AM. Come on by if you have time. It's the downtown Los Altos location on State Street.
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