From the Archives (Pt. 3 of 4)

Even more College Jenna....


Would You Like Chow Mein With That? (Sept. 2007)

There are moments in my life where I know that God has to have a good sense of humor. For example, I was asked to be a counselor for a cabin of girls at a summer camp I was attending a couple of summers ago. When I walked into the cabin I found that my campers were slim, pretty sophomores who had all grown up together and been best friends since approximately kindergarten. I, on the other hand was a self-conscious not-so-slim senior who had not had contact with her kindergarten chums since… well, kindergarten. Needless to say it was growing experience for me. I had to laugh that first day at the ironic contrast between them and myself. I was supposed to be the representative authority and they intimidated me.

More recently, I went on a missions trip to Los Angeles and as part of the service on the trip our team went and helped out at a soup kitchen. We had to wear hairnets and plastic aprons and we laughed and took pictures of ourselves (because, honestly, how often do you dress up like a cafeteria lady?). In the course of that service I cracked a joke to a friend of mine, "Man, I can’t make this hairnet and apron work. I would never be able to work the sexy job of cafeteria lady." Now, 6months later I am working in my university cafeteria. The irony kills me every time I think about it. Lucky for me, I do not have to wear a hairnet or a funky plastic apron but I do have to wear a shirt that is wider than it is long and shoes that look like they were made for Goliath’s little sister.

The experience is not scarring so I can appreciate the good joke. A career services representative came and spoke to our first year seminar class on the kinds of jobs we should be working in and pursuing. As she poked her index finger at a colorful poster diagram she said, "You should be pursuing jobs in your major, things that will help you step up the ladder." Yes, my experience as a cafeteria server is going to benefit me in my journalism career. Actually, now that I think of it, getting paid pittence for the work I am required to parallels beginning reporter jobs. Perhaps I am supposed to learn money management or appreciation or better interpersonal skills (gladly serving to picky people, and accepting the fact that I will be ignored by most that I serve). In any case I know God has loving motives in placing me in this cafeteria job.

There is one thing I have to say to those of you who have never worked a food service job before, do not take attitude of your server for granted. Those who hand you your burger usually come to work every day because they have to, not because they plan a career path in the food service industry. There is nothing like a warm smile, a friendly greeting, or a silly joke. Share a laugh with someone today; let them see a glimpse of Joy.