I just got scolded that my house is not a "UMass Dorm" and I should never do that again...
Hmm... I didn't realize having two of your best guy friends over for a night in watching He's Just Not That Into You was the equivalent of a rager...
weird.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Pay It Forward
Tonight after work Todd and I went out for a drink at a martini bar in Newport. Sitting there, a woman kept bumping into me from behind, but I didn't mind. Chalk it up to being drunk. Here's to you! But soon after, she came over to say hello. I then thought, "hmm, she's not so bad after all..."
We began chatting and at a brief pause in conversation, I noticed something she had on her wrist as she sipped her pomegranate martini. A beautiful beaded red bracelet, which looked gorgeous on her tan wrist. Of course I commented and told her I loved it because that's how I am!
She then proceeded to take it off of her wrist, and with a huge smile, slipped it on MY wrist. She told me that she was paying it forward, and I would have to too. "Bead for Life."
I said, "what does this all mean? Are you sure you want to GIVE me your bracelet?!" She explained that she spent time in Belize and Uganda, and that Ugandan women make bracelets out of recycled paper. She was rather intoxicated and apologized for her demeanor, and I told her not to worry and that I would check out the bracelet's website as soon as I got home. I assured her that she had stumbled upon the right person to have given this bracelet to, as I would later find out that this whole concept was VERY neat.
I went to the website http://www.beadforlife.org/index.html when I got home tonight. Come to find out, Bead For Life is an organization of Ugandan women who create beautiful jewelry out of recycled paper and by doing so, eradicate extreme poverty by creating bridges of understanding between African women and concerned world citizens.
By accepting this bracelet from this woman, Maria, I am therefore accepting the task of telling the world about this organization and how women in Uganda depend on this job as a means of supporting their family, sending their children to school, providing food for their loved ones, receiving medical care, etc etc.
It was such a beautiful thing to be able to share this experience with this random woman tonight at the bar, and I am honored to be wearing this beaded Ugandan bracelet tonight. I look forward to the time when some stranger at a bar says to me, "I like your bracelet!" and it will then be MY duty to slip it on HER hand and explain to her what meaning it has behind it.
So in conclusion:
Pay it forward.
xo J
Monday, June 8, 2009
"The Front Desk Agent"
D you'll like this one-
Not sure who wrote it but I found it on Facebook in the group "You Know You've Worked in Hotels When..."
"I am a Front Desk Agent"
I have advanced degrees in Accounting, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, and Swahili. I can also read minds.
Of course I have the reservation that you booked six years ago even though you don't have the confirmation number and you think it was made under a name that starts with "S".
It is completely my fault that the blizzard shut down the airport and you have to sleep in a warm king-size bed while 5000 of your co-travellers are sleeping in benches at the airport. I am sorry.
It is not a problem for me to give you seven connecting, non-smoking, poolside suites with two king beds in each, four rollaways, 3 cribs, and yes, I can install a wet bar. I know it is my fault that we do not have a helicopter landing pad.
I am a Front Desk Agent. I am expected to speak all languages fluently. It is obvious to me that when you booked your reservation for Friday on the weekend we're sold out that you really meant Saturday. My company has entrusted me with all financial information and decisions, and yes, I am lying to you when I say we have no more rooms available. It is not a problem for me to quickly construct several more guest rooms. THIS time I will not forget the helicopter landing pad. And it is my fault that everyone wanted to stay here. I should have known you were coming in, even though you had no reservation. After all, you stay at our brand of hotel all the time, 300 nights a year, and this is only the first time you've ever been to our city.
I am a front desk agent. I am quite capable of checking three people in, two people out, taking five reservations, answering fifteen incoming calls, delivering six bath towels to room 625, plunging the toilet in room 101, and restocking the supply of pool towels, all at the same time. Yes, I will be glad to call the van driver and tell him to drive over all the cars stuck in traffic because you've been waiting at the airport for 15 minutes and you've got jet lag.
I am a front desk agent, an operator, a bellhop, houseman, guest service representative, housekeeper, sales coordinator, information specialist, entertainment critic, restauranteur, stock broker, referee, janitor, computer technician, plumber, ice-breaker, postman, babysitter, dispatcher, laundry cleaner, lifeguard, electrician, ambassador, personal fitness trainer, fax expert, human jukebox, domestic abuse counselor, and verbal punching bag. Yes, I know room 112 is not answering their phone. And of course I have their travel itinerary so I know exactly where they went when they left here 9 hours ago, and what their cell phone number is.
I always know where to find the best vegetarian-kosher-Mongolian-barbecue restaurants. I know exactly what to see and do in this city in fifteen minutes without spending any money and without getting caught in traffic. I take personal blame for airline food, traffic jams, rental car flat tires, and the nation's economy.
I realize that you meant to book your reservation here. People often confuse us with the Galaxy Delight Motel, Antarctica. Of course I can "fit you in" and yes, you may have the special $1 rate because you are affiliated with the Hoboken Accounting and Bagel Club.
I am expected to smile, empathize, sympathize, console, condole, upsell, downsell (and know when to do which), perform, sing, dance, fix the printer, and tell your friends that you're here. And I know exactly where 613 Possum Trot Lane is in the Way Out There subdivision that they just built last week.
After all, I AM a Front Desk Agent!
...I think the part I've bolded most describes my life at OceanCliff Hotel on most weekends and occasionally some weeknights. Wouldn't you agree D? :) Oh hospitality... certainly builds character I'll tell ya that much!
Oh by the way: picking up my brand new car tomorrow ;) More to come on that... hehe
xo J
Not sure who wrote it but I found it on Facebook in the group "You Know You've Worked in Hotels When..."
"I am a Front Desk Agent"
I have advanced degrees in Accounting, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, and Swahili. I can also read minds.
Of course I have the reservation that you booked six years ago even though you don't have the confirmation number and you think it was made under a name that starts with "S".
It is completely my fault that the blizzard shut down the airport and you have to sleep in a warm king-size bed while 5000 of your co-travellers are sleeping in benches at the airport. I am sorry.
It is not a problem for me to give you seven connecting, non-smoking, poolside suites with two king beds in each, four rollaways, 3 cribs, and yes, I can install a wet bar. I know it is my fault that we do not have a helicopter landing pad.
I am a Front Desk Agent. I am expected to speak all languages fluently. It is obvious to me that when you booked your reservation for Friday on the weekend we're sold out that you really meant Saturday. My company has entrusted me with all financial information and decisions, and yes, I am lying to you when I say we have no more rooms available. It is not a problem for me to quickly construct several more guest rooms. THIS time I will not forget the helicopter landing pad. And it is my fault that everyone wanted to stay here. I should have known you were coming in, even though you had no reservation. After all, you stay at our brand of hotel all the time, 300 nights a year, and this is only the first time you've ever been to our city.
I am a front desk agent. I am quite capable of checking three people in, two people out, taking five reservations, answering fifteen incoming calls, delivering six bath towels to room 625, plunging the toilet in room 101, and restocking the supply of pool towels, all at the same time. Yes, I will be glad to call the van driver and tell him to drive over all the cars stuck in traffic because you've been waiting at the airport for 15 minutes and you've got jet lag.
I am a front desk agent, an operator, a bellhop, houseman, guest service representative, housekeeper, sales coordinator, information specialist, entertainment critic, restauranteur, stock broker, referee, janitor, computer technician, plumber, ice-breaker, postman, babysitter, dispatcher, laundry cleaner, lifeguard, electrician, ambassador, personal fitness trainer, fax expert, human jukebox, domestic abuse counselor, and verbal punching bag. Yes, I know room 112 is not answering their phone. And of course I have their travel itinerary so I know exactly where they went when they left here 9 hours ago, and what their cell phone number is.
I always know where to find the best vegetarian-kosher-Mongolian-barbecue restaurants. I know exactly what to see and do in this city in fifteen minutes without spending any money and without getting caught in traffic. I take personal blame for airline food, traffic jams, rental car flat tires, and the nation's economy.
I realize that you meant to book your reservation here. People often confuse us with the Galaxy Delight Motel, Antarctica. Of course I can "fit you in" and yes, you may have the special $1 rate because you are affiliated with the Hoboken Accounting and Bagel Club.
I am expected to smile, empathize, sympathize, console, condole, upsell, downsell (and know when to do which), perform, sing, dance, fix the printer, and tell your friends that you're here. And I know exactly where 613 Possum Trot Lane is in the Way Out There subdivision that they just built last week.
After all, I AM a Front Desk Agent!
...I think the part I've bolded most describes my life at OceanCliff Hotel on most weekends and occasionally some weeknights. Wouldn't you agree D? :) Oh hospitality... certainly builds character I'll tell ya that much!
Oh by the way: picking up my brand new car tomorrow ;) More to come on that... hehe
xo J
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tie dye that's to die for! :)
Hiiiiiii!
All you fellow bloggers: I know tie dye might seem a thing of the past, and believe me, I thought so too. Until my boyfriend finally converted me into the hippie that he is and now I'm absolutely in love with his work! He makes his own tie dyes pretty regularly and each batch usually includes a few for me :) (even pillowcases!)
Just wanted to post a link to his blog displaying some of his work:
http://jmagier.blogspot.com/
If any of you are interested in buying tees or even pillowcases, he can make them whatever colors you choose and it's a great idea for kids too :)
Check it out! He'd really appreciate it!
Thanks bloggersssssss! Hope all is well.
xo-
Jen
All you fellow bloggers: I know tie dye might seem a thing of the past, and believe me, I thought so too. Until my boyfriend finally converted me into the hippie that he is and now I'm absolutely in love with his work! He makes his own tie dyes pretty regularly and each batch usually includes a few for me :) (even pillowcases!)
Just wanted to post a link to his blog displaying some of his work:
http://jmagier.blogspot.com/
If any of you are interested in buying tees or even pillowcases, he can make them whatever colors you choose and it's a great idea for kids too :)
Check it out! He'd really appreciate it!
Thanks bloggersssssss! Hope all is well.
xo-
Jen
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