One of the key things that is involved with serving is knowing how to carry a tray. Be it food or drinks, the art of balancing the items on the tray can sometimes be tricky and something that one has to work at. Much like the balancing act that is completed as a part of my every day life with work, school, internships, and volunteering, balance is something that I have had to practice and poise myself to do.
This past weekend we celebrated Mother’s Day. Max & Erma’s was quite busy as both large parties and intimate groups came in to show mom how much she was appreciated. I was in a section that incorporated a large party table. Carrying out large trays both of drinks and food forced me to be creative in arrangement so as not to have to make another trip.
As a student, employee, volunteer, and approaching intern, I also have to make the time to get things done properly the first time. I have learned to balance these various activities. In managing my time there are often cases in which I must use a degree of creativity to get done all that I have to do in a day. An extra trip to the computer lab is not usually in my best interest when managing my time is concerned so I must also make sure that my balancing act remain eloquent.
I was nervous to carry the large trays that Max& Erma’s uses for food delivery. At Bob Evans our trays could hold three dinner plates, and sometimes even that was pushing it. However, after realizing that I could in fact carry this larger tray, I became more confident in my capabilities as a server in a new environment.
As a freshman in college I was nervous as to how much I could take on. Although I was extremely active in high school activities, I was also living under my parents roof and did not focus my time to include late evening festivities. I had to relearn how to manage my time as my environment changed. Coming to a new school and starting a new job really served to parallel one another in that aspect.
I have learned quite a bit from my serving experiences. Now as a server at Old Bag I have even had the opportunity to add one more element to my balancing act as we carry our large trays down a flight of stairs. Just one more thing that allows me to see the ways in which I have grown and changed while my tray still remains steady.
