just need to vent about HOW in the WORLD im still living...

the past two weeks have been enough to drive me INSANE!! with Brooke and co-worker Doug out of town, i've had to pick up a few extra shifts at the restaurant. meaning tonight will be my 13th night of work in a row.
maybe i'm being a baby, but working from the hour of 5 pm until the hours of 12:30-1 am for two weeks in a row has taken its tole on me....
Plus
i of course have my morning job on top of that. so after going to bed at around 1 am i still have to wake up at 630 every tuesday-saturday morning, and this week sunday and monday as well.
every night while wiping tables, changing bleach water, sweeping floors and mopping i ask myself how i am still functioning. i swear its not normal...i have this fear that one day im just going to sleep through EVERYTHING. i feel like its going to take two full days of sleep in order to catch up. i am amazed and truly thankful i have not yet crashed...
however, i thankfully have the blessed opportunity to go home this week. its going to feel so nice to have a break and relax with my family and others that i miss dearly :)
lets just hope i dont fall asleep on the way there...

love, melissa

the solution:

cayenne pepper.

while searching for a cure for my sore throat, i read online that cayenne pepper helps. without even thinking about it, i ate some hot wings at wild west yesterday. within minutes the pain in my throat was completely gone. problem solved :)

daddy's girl

I just want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my DADDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He's the best in the world.

LOVE YOU DAD!!!

Apple Cider Vinegar

So....

A couple days ago I awoke to a pain in my throat and neck. Some say I am likely to have swollen glands...? I've never had that before, but I'd say they are probably right. In an attempt to recover I have taken the following measures towards improving my circumstance:

1-A few cups of hot water with honey, lemon, and salt. Very soothing and actually tastes really good.

2-Gargling salt water in the back room and in between serving tables. Sometimes the cooks give me strange looks, but I explained my situation so they were no longer confused.

3-Sipping Apple Cider Vinegar throughout the day. Yes. I don't know if many people know quite how strong this stuff is...I imagine its close to what a shot of some sort of alcohol would taste like. The flavor isn't bad but I can only take a tiny bit at a time. I'm not sure how long I have to keep this up, but even if my throat doesn't heal by tomorrow I figure the Vinegar is worth it because according to the internet it has multiple benefits including:

-Weight loss, reduction of headaches, arthritis, weak bones, indigestion, high cholesterol, eczema, sore eyes, chronic fatigue, mild food poisoning, hair loss, high blood pressure, obesity, and even bad breath along with a host of many other ailments

With just over half a 16 oz bottle left, I begin my second day of the Apple Cider Vinegar regime. I'll keep you updated on the results.

If anyone has any other ideas, please...PLEASE let me know.

Love, Melissa

Rafting

Yesterday morning we went on a rafting trip with the workers of Wild West! The water was freezing but since I was in the back of the raft I honestly didn't get too wet. It was SO MUCH fun!!!! I love rafting. Afterwards we ate at the Corral. It was alright. I honestly love everyone that works at Wild West, I can't believe I only have two months left here!!! :(

p.s.- raspberry steamer...it's gonna be a good day.

my new obsession

ok, so those that know me well, know that im not much of a meat-eater. my diet usually consists of apples, peanut butter, wheat bread, almonds, granola, yogurt, chips and salsa occasionally, and salad. however...
when working at wild west i encourage myself to try new things once in awhile, mainly so i can give my educated and accurate opinion to customers.
one night i decided to try something different, and it seems that every time i work i cant get my mind off it...

BBQ CHICKEN PIZZA

man, bbq sauce with chicken on a pizza is delicious. im not much of a bbq-anything girl but for some reason this just gets me. i now recommend it to most everyone that asks my opinion. next time you are stumped at what to order at wild west, i suggest you give this a try.

Startin' my Day of RIGHT

You know those coffee commercials that show people slowly getting out of bed, tip-toeing into the kitchen in their pajamas, looking like they are hungover, or just had a very late/terrible night? then when they finally make it to the kitchen, they take a sip of freshly roasted steaming coffee and suddenly a broad smile appears across their face, music starts playing, and they look as if they can conquer the world? then the commercial ends with some comment like "drink such-and-such coffee and start your day off right"?
well, this morning the person in that commercial was me.
i woke up early (not by choice) and was having some issues while getting ready. when i got into my car to drive to work it was FREEZING. because i was cold, and it was earlier than usual, i talked myself into stopping at a little espresso shop on the corner just down the street from our apartment. ive told myself numerous times that i should try the place, and i decided today was the day. after waiting a few minutes for my fat-free, sugar-free caramel steamer and making small talk with the gentleman preparing it for me, i drove off, steamer in hand, sipping and feeling EXCELLENT. i am refreshed, energized, and ready to take on the world. i strongly suggest treating yourself to such beverages, especially on cold and seemingly hopeless mornings like mine.

cheers

invigorated

finally, for the first time since i've been up here, i attended a work-out class on my day off!
down the street from our apartment lies a little yoga and pilates studio. the class schedules are posted on the front door, and fortunately a strength and stretch class was held at a reasonable time in which i could attend. the class is held in a small carpeted room, and only 3 others attended other than myself, all of which were over the age of 60. however, the instructor was still effective. my butt and calves are comfortably sore and my biceps are killing me, but all in all i felt amazing after the class and plan to make it a monday ritual.

cowboys

you can't fully understand the nature of a cowboy until you are surrounded by not one, but many. as far as i know, there are 2 types of cowboy:

type 1: quiet, polite, frequently uses the terms please and thank you (with an occasional head nod), does his best to be well-kept and groomed. drinks beer out of a bottle. leaves a generous tip.

type 2: obnoxious, forward, constantly has a wad of chew lining his lower gum, dirty, a few missing teeth. skips the bottle (and PINT) of beer and goes straight for the pitcher. leaves no tip.

every thursday, friday, and saturday night after the rodeo, brooke and i have the privilege of serving these two types of cowboy (the after party is at wild west) until about 11-11:30 pm. its going to be a loonnng summer.

yee-haw!!