Through Life As A Stewardess
Keeping My Options Open Until I Find Something I Like Or Suits Me
Disclaimer: Names has been changed to protect the identity of the real person. Any resemblances are purely coincident.
The cafe I am doing ad hoc job over the weekends allow us to have free flow of coffee. The baristas will make for anyone of us upon request.
I remember requesting to learn the server role with them initially. Months went by and I end up doing the dishwashing role.
Because nobody these days like to get their hands dirty — cleaner’s job.
I realize I am walking in a big round of stewardess and housekeeping at work. I grow not only tired but frustrated on any other days. Upon home, I do not want to do anything with cleaning.
In both places, the French dining restaurant and the Cafe, I start to have melancholy mood. This happen especially after I’m having bone spur and nerves inflammation.
An early symptom of Osteo Arthritis — I am only 39!
I enjoy being in the F&B industry. After my health is affected, my mood changes abruptly with pain not at ease. I grow tired doing the same thing over and over daily.
At work — household chores, and then at home — household chores???
What else do I love to do? How do I know what it is?
“Do you want any drinks?” asked the Barista Olivia*
“Yes, orange juice…” I said.
Few hours later… “Yes, I want that White Iced…”
Few hours later… “Yes, I want that Mocha latte with 3 expresso shots…”
Few hours later…. “Yes, White please…”
Few hours later… “Yes, black without sugar…”
Another hour later…. “Hmm…Is it okay if you make for me Chai Latte, please…? Only if you are free…”
That is how I live by the hours working part-time in majorly 2 different places. Not even a chance to learn as a barista because I need to cover dishwashing…
I love the Chai Latte because it has spices mainly cinnamon…It perks me up better than any other coffees.
Then I realize… It takes me many months doing ad hoc duties over the weekends at the cafe. It takes me many months to try many different coffees, juices, and sodas at the cafe too. None of them suits my taste bud.
But Chai Latte???
Yes. I love it. A lot. After many months…
This comes with realizing that as much as it takes me to discover what I like among the beverages, it goes the same for work. I do not know what I really love to do anymore.
However, I can keep trying whatever opportunities I have in my way until I find one which suits me to move forward.
So, this whole week is a total break for me by choice because I am unable to bring my heart with me to work. I am only a restaurant stewardess.
It is the most criticized position for the brainless people — a stigma. However, it is a humbling position for the people of Yemen.
Coming to a year staying in the French humble abode, I am starting to question myself. Is this really what I want to retire as at my age now…39?
Day-in and out, I fold the napkins, wash and polish the glasses, polish the utensils, wipe dust off from the dining hall, and so on. I do enjoy them, however I wonder what the future holds doing these when a lot of people dislike doing them.
- Where will all these bring me?
- Will I be self-sufficient just being a stewardess by the time my parents die?
- Will I have enough to buy a house in my country and pay it off in full before I reach my 50s?
- What else can I work as a form of alternative?
And then I get to meet a new kitchen steward. A Singaporean like me. I told him how I wished I can do a different job, but I do not know what to apply for.
“What do you enjoy or love to do? As for me I love to do dishwashing…It will be easier if you know what you enjoy doing…Find from there…” — Local Dishwasher
Maybe I will stay in this brainless job for a lil longer…
Stewardess is a role which you can rarely find someone who enjoy doing it. It is a role which not only the local do not want to work as, but even the foreigners rather not do it.
As long you are a human being, you are unlikely going to enjoy life as a restaurant stewardess — cleaner.
However, if I have not started from somewhere even as lowly as a cleaner, I will not know where the Path leads me to. In this journey, I hope one day I discover what I enjoy doing most and see what suits me well.
Just like the Chai Latte.
Buenas Noches…
Norlissa 🌹
