my boogers smell like coffee

Turns out that even after all that time in school I have no idea how to make coffee, how to work a register, or how to brew a giant batch of coffee in an urn. so, like the nerd I am I went straight to the books to learn about how to be a barista. I feel awkward and confused and overwhelmed most of the time. Twice today I found myself fighting the urge to sneak into the back and start doing the dishes instead of being left at the registers with their hundreds of touch screen buttons and mystery coffee lingo. Fortunately there is a kick ass staff of upbeat, funny encouraging people that have taught me a few things in the past couple of days, and very patient customers.

I left a coffee scented trail from the shop to my home as I walked home exhausted and reflecting on my new job. I'm surprised that I'm not dreading it, though I realize I'm not good at it yet. I thought to myself that it is good to struggle sometimes. To struggle through something new reminds me of all that I don't know. It reminds me to respect and recognize other perspectives. With a struggle comes the unknown and sometimes even a sense of accomplishment.

Today, on my second day of work, I found myself helping customers without too much trouble. I can make a giant batch of coffee. I can weigh out glossy oily beans and grind them for different types of coffee makers. I can tell you the difference between the three major growing regions of coffee and the differences between the coffees they produce. And all this I can do while actually looking at the customers. I was not able to do that this morning.