Sitting on the train to work, the first day of January, the surroundings inside the train smelled of stale beer and sweat, this, after many revelers travelled back home from a night in Time Square after the famous New Year’s falling of the ball. I knew this would be the scenario since several days ago, the LIRR railroad announcement regarding added train schedule was in effect for christmas and new years day.
When I reached my destination, ( a few towns before the Hamptons) a chauffer picked me up and brought me to the main house, where I was greeted by my boss with a happy new year hug. I am just one of her staff assigned at the summer house, and I am only there when needed. It’s a regular job but with flexible schedules- and only when they are there.
Such is what I do, one that I am comfortable with. It won’t make me rich, but at least it pays off some of my bills. Since I am on a per hour basis, I make the most of my time until the next visit. Meanwhile, in between jobs, other things keep me busy such as writing and other stuff which would fill up my agenda.
I thought I would have a quiet 2 weeks off until the next visit which would be the holiday of Martin Luther King weekend, when several messages in the email and phone came one after another. These are the so called ‘rackets’ that I get into of which I am just so happy to oblige.
I have friends in the city who do Air BnB , which is an alternative for tourists when hotels are fully booked or they are on a budget. It’s a no brainer job since you only do a little housekeeping for my friends. This kind of work is my normal routine at home, so, why not get paid doing it for someone else. Besides, the flexibility and not being attached to a job is what I really want....I own my time and I have no boss looking over my shoulder.
An email came from a company if I was free this weekend to do a demo. You know, these are the ones you see in supermarkets and big stores like Costco and Trader Joes….something like that…..be a sales lady to try some samples of their product. Lots of smiling and lots of freebies. I do this for a company that sells coconut water from the PHilippines. I get a chance to chat with tons of American customers, such that when I ran out of English words, I start speaking my Visayan linggo and do sign languages……..just kidding.…..oh well!
Plus this week, I am doing a ‘gratis’ personal cheffing at a friend’s house, since I have offered to help her make some Italian food. Her boyfriend has been complaining of smelly dried fish (daing) or the salty adobo she freguently makes in his house. She’s a good ‘only filipino dishes’ cook but when it comes to international cuisine, I guess she needs assistance. And so what are friends for.
So from just expecting to be quiet this week, I am now bombarded with tons on my hands and I just love it. To top it all, I am awaiting my yearly calendar from my ex-boss where I will plot all my schedules for the year-----all the food trade shows, from the International Food trade exhibits, Fancy Food Show, NY Food and Wine, etc..etc..etc..-- plus a few travels up my sleeve...I’m happy and excited.
So, in conclusion…...This little fiery lady is one wild monkey to reckon for 2016…
Bring on those bananas!!!!!! I’m coming to get them.
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