Seven more days...

...Until I leave for Europe. Eeeps. This is "get shit actually done and don't spend all the time you're not working laying in the sun and shopping" week. I won't bore you with the mundane details of what needs to get done, just know that it's all the boring crap I don't want to do or it would be done already. Yuck. Oh, and my lovely job scheduled me every night until I leave- except tomorrow. So, guess who will be slinging martini's on her last night in the US?

Unless of course, I storm out of the restaurant in fury before then. You see, one of the "managers" has taken to harassing me because Jersey Shore bitch from the previous blog is her bff. Le sigh. Hopefully she won't push me over the edge before I leave, because I actually like and respect the other managers, and would hate to put them in a crappy situation. Also, if I can stick it out- I win. She tried to fire me tonight, but she had to consult with another manager and they wouldn't allow it. I think her main beef with me, (and the other staff agrees) is that I'm bubbly and I'm always walking around laughing or with a smile on my face. Yes, I know that's easy for me to do because I leave soon, but I'm pretty much cheerful in general. I may be a total worrier, but I do it with a smile.

Anyway, enough work talk. I started packing last night. Um, if you know me at all, you know I have an eensy shopping problem. And, I sorta like boots. A lot. I've decided to only take two suitcases and a carry on, and only ship stuff if necessary. :( It's hard. But, it makes me feel kinda footloose and fancy free. I can pare my life down to three bags. I'm totally zen.

All work and no play...

I suppose that's a major exaggeration, because while I am on Day Six of Seven days straight working- we all know that I prioritize going out over less important things like sleep, or proper liver function. Anyway, I was supposed to have tonight and tomorrow off, but the other bartender went all Jersey Shore on me last night, and then stormed out like a bratty child- so I'm stuck working her Thursday and Friday. Le sigh.

This did however enable me to have Saturday off (gotta love California labour laws- suck it work), which I intend to spend in San Francisco shopping and dining with Rico. And drinking fruity cocktails in fruity bars. Boo yeah.

Today, Dominic said something that really made me think. I was moaning about having to hand in my notice tomorrow, and how I feel guilty about it, and blah blah blah. I'm guessing I'll work six days a week for my last two weeks, and Dom said that I'm sorta wasting my time working so much during my last couple of weeks in the U.S. And he's right. I'm missing out on opportunities to see friends, spend time with my family, and consume lots of Sushi and Mexican cuisine. So, I'm going to try to finagle it so that I only work eight or nine more days. We'll see how that goes.

It's been a long week, so I'm going to put my feet up in front of the TV and watch Top Chef with a cold Sweet Piece of Jesus. I totally Macgyvered myself a cocktail shaker, and now I feel smug and clever. Clearly, I'm easily pleased.

I'll miss you...

I'm going through a bit of a rough patch. I know this is Karaazzy as I'm moving forward and onto a fabulous life in the UK, but things are in a bit of a turmoil in my wee little brain right now. I just got settled here. I have a job, new friends, people know me at the cafe and the grocery store, and I'm a regular at my local.

Now, I get to start all over. Ugh. It's amazing and it sucks. I'm starting to say my goodbyes and frankly, it's fucking awful. Part of me wants to savour these last 20 something days, and part of me just wishes they were over and I were on the plane. I know that really it's a "see you soon," and not a "goodbye"- but there's a fine, fine line- if you like musical theatre and you know what I mean. It's sucky/amazing and my head is totally spinning.

I don't know what the future holds. How long will I be in the UK? When besides Christmas will I be back? I'm so excited and freaked out, it's unreal. I've even lost my appetite, which sucks because I was going to consume as much sushi and Mexican food in the next 22 days possible. I guess I'll just have to live with the memory. And, I'll be home soon. Or soonish.

I keep saying things to Dom like "When I visit," or "On Vacation'" and then I realize I'm not visiting. I won't be on vacation. Wow. I'm moving to England. Hopefully, it will sink in soon.

It's so surreal...

...My visa arrived in the mail today. I booked my ticket and I leave for England in 26 days. This whole process has gone so smoothly, and I have totally sweated it the entire time. So, let this be a lesson to future Sarah- dude, chill out.

Today, I've been thinking a lot about things I'm going to miss and things I'm looking forward to. So here's a list of both, because I can hear you dying in anticipation.

Things I'll miss-

My family and friends

Jackson the Wonder Dog

Proper Sushi

Queso available everywhere

Getting lots of ice

Cheap, strong cocktails

Peet's Coffee

Mexican Restaurants

People saying "Have a nice day"

Sunshine 80% of the time

Downtown Los Gatos

Nordstrom, Sephora and DSW

The trashy TV shows I watch like Teen Mom

24 hour stores (although I think the Asda near us is 24 hour- so this may be wrong)

Lots of closet space

Things I'm Looking Forward To-

Dominic!

Seeing all my old friends and making new ones

Fish and Chips and Mushy Peas

Oh! and Nando's

Primark (Yep, I just said Primark)

Being able to wear boots most of the year

Experiencing a different culture

Inexpensive dance classes

Mussels at Cafe Rouge

Decent Public Transport

Kate Nash in October

Starting school- I'm a wee bit nervous, like should I wear a backpack?

Traveling in Europe

Sunday Crossword at the pub

Pubs in general

My first Thanksgiving abroad

Yummy Indian food

Shopping!

That's all for now. I'm going to go get ready to get a proper cocktail with a friend. I have to soak up as much of the things I'm going to miss while I can.

Can you believe it? I'm moving to another country. Crazy.

To Ballet or to Bollywood...

...I'm kinda happy right now. Even though I miss the boy, and I'm stressed about my visa- I have 2 days IN A ROW off! Wahoo! Spring Break! (To temper the excitement, I keep reminding myself that it's fairly certain I'll pick up a shift Thursday- dum-de-dum-dum) The best part is that my biggest concern for tomorrow is whether to take Ballet or Bollywood Dance. I'm guessing I'll go with Bollywood Dance because I'm cheap like that (Ballet= $15, Bollywood=Free) , but we'll see how I feel in the morning. I have a fleeting dream that I wake up to an email from the British Embassy saying my visa is issued and I go to Ballet, saving the evening for celebrating with either Mexican food or Sushi. Ah, dreams.

It's been a tiring couple of weeks. I've worked 13 of the last 14 days, and after tomorrow I'll probably do another 6 or 7 straight. I like my co-workers a lot fortunately, and many of the customers make me enjoy my job. But, it's tiring, dirty work. I want to go to Graduate School, not shake Martinis. (Unless they're for me, of course) Hopefully, the visa Gods will smile at me tomorrow.

A life lesson for folks...

...because clearly it's sorely needed. Here's the thing- people need to be trained on how to behave/eat in a restaurant. Cause some of y'all are rude as fuck. Just saying. Here's a list that I may add to in the future.

1. Never snap your fingers at another human. Do you really think the service is going to improve by treating me like your dog? I also have now realized that since you were raised with wolves, you're going to be a shitty tipper. No need for me to go out of my way then anyhow.

2. If your server tells you that a pizza takes 20-25 minutes to prepare, please believe them. Don't frantically wave at them and ask when your food will be out. There's. Nothing. We. Can. Do. Even if you are going to the opera, or your kids recital- I cannot magick your pizza out of thin air. Sorry.

3. Please don't come in during Happy Hour on a Friday and expect me to be able to make you five different blended drinks in less than a few minutes. Chances are, it just won't happen. If you want a smoothie, Jamba Juice is across the street. If all five of you want a margarita in a different flavor, prepare to wait. And please tip well, otherwise I will give you a look of disdain.

4. Bartenders/Servers are not magical. If you want water, or a straw, or another drink- I have to actually go and get it. It doesn't just appear out of thin air.

5. If you order drinks and then don't tip your server *at least* ten percent. YOU ARE COSTING THEM MONEY you selfish jerk. Servers have to tip out the bartender ten percent. Keep this in mind.

6. How to get a drink at a busy bar *first*: Be a regular. Wait patiently. Tip well. I see you drumming your credit card impatiently on the counter. You're last. Waving your empty glass at me is not the way to get my attention. It's rude. Bartenders take care of good customers that take care of them. Bottom line.

7. If the kitchen makes a mistake, or you hate your food- it is not my fault. Berating me will not fix the problem, it's a waste of time. And nice people are the first ones I'm going to try to get food comped for. Rude people can talk to the manager.

8. Don't talk down to your server. Chances are they're better educated than you are, and just because they forgot your ranch dressing doesn't make them a moron.

9. If something is free- like bread or chips, and you consume more than 2 baskets- factor that into your decision making process when tipping. Me getting 6 baskets of bread and butter for a two top is a MAJOR inconvenience.

10. If you're in a hurry, have a coupon, or special crazy dietary needs please tell me. While I may secretly loathe you, I don't read minds and I can't help you if I don't know.

11. It really isn't that hard to be polite. Please try. You'll get better service that way too.

Sorry, I haven't recently posted on this bad boy. I would say that I'm exceptionally busy and yadda yadda yadda, but the truth is that I'm just totally lazy. Go figure. Also, I hate to bore people with a blog posting that talks about my dog, or what I had for lunch, or what Journey song I learned on the guitar this week. I try and spare y'all.

That being said- there are some new and unique goings on in my life. I guess the biggest thing is that I applied for my Student Visa today. Finally! It's the last phase of this process for me to worry and fret over, so I can't wait until a month or so from now- when *hopefully* I'll have an official move date and all that jazz. I can't wait to buy a plane ticket and start packing. I feel like this is completely the right path for me. Essentially, all I have to do now is look hottt on Thursday to get my Passport photos taken. I learned my lesson from last time. And since I'm so helpful and stuff I'll give you my tips on how not to look shit in your passport photo. Many of these are counterintuitive, but I'm a blonde and I somehow missed all this the last time.

1. Don't wear a patterned hot pink, black and orange shirt. It ain't like your driver's license. It'll show, and you'll feel totally conspicuous and American every time you travel. As an aside, maybe never wear a patterned hot pink, black and orange shirt. Ever. What was I thinking?

2. Brushing your hair is a good idea. If you always tuck it behind your ear it may be best to just take the photo that way, as opposed to having a huge kink on one side of your head.

3. A natural color lipstick never hurt anyone. It shows that you indeed have lips, as opposed to a crease in the middle of your chin.

4. In that respect, a little blush never killed anyone. Don't go all Mimi from The Drew Carey Show all over your business, but it's best to look like you have a pulse.

5. Chin straight at the camera, and don't try to get a facebook angle in the photo. They won't let you and then you'll just look like a numbskull who doesn't know how to hold their head in a natural way.

With those words of wisdom, I'll get back to important stuff like watching 16 and Pregnant on MTV. I mean, reading Shakespeare. Yeah, that's it. Shakespeare.