My Dublin Life

I had my first disaster in the restaurant last night. My earring fell into someone's pasta, and I didn't even realise what was happening until the waiter was on the way to their table. Everything went into slow motion as I chased him across the room, but it was too late ... the food was already on the table. Total embarrassment. I told the customer what had happened, and they were very nice about it -- fortunately they were able to bring a replacement asap. I thought I'd be fired, but I just got a bit of a lecture on not wearing earrings to work if I can't be sure they'll stay in.My flatmate Bepe and the head chef are going to be swanning off to the Taste of Dublin festival this weekend. The ...

Well, I did my very first meeting and greeting session at the Dublin Tourism offices yesterday. It was a last-minute thing: someone was ill so they called me to see if I could come in.Modesty aside, I think I'm going to be FANTASTIC at this job -- in fact, I think I'll be BETTER than any native Irish person could be, because after more than a year here, I have an insider's view on Dublin, but I can also still remember what it was like arriving, not knowing about anything or anyone, and having to discover Dublin for myself.So I was a bit disappointed when my first interaction, with some American tourists, stated off with them being put out about me not being "a real irish Colleen". However, I ...

Well, I've started my new restaurant job and, guess what? I like it, I really do! I never thought I'd work in a restaurant, or that I'd like it if I did, but it actually feels great to be working with my hands instead of poring over a book for a change. Wow. I mean, it's hard, tiring work and it can get very steamy in the kitchen, but it's surprisingly satisfying. Of course, I'm just about the lowliest person in the kitchen -- I've been working on "vegetable preparation" which is a fancy way of saying that I've been doing stuff like slicing mushrooms for pizza. It's an Italian restaurant and I'm one of the very few non-Italians working there, so I might just pick up some language skills, although ...