29. Work a front-line job

After working jobs that pay salary or pay $50 an hour for tutoring, it’s hard to get yourself to work for minimum wage serving strangers. It is definitely outside my comfort zone for me. Not condescending in any way, just saying it is difficult to work in an environment that is outside my comfort zone and outside of my expertise. I wanted to break this for myself. As soon as I moved to New York City, I took on a frontline job as a bartender/cocktail waitress on 32nd street. I wore a uniform, made drinks, served drinks, wiped tables, and prepped the bar for opening hours and closing hour. Having been a teacher for so long, my work protocol was always that it went my way and students had to follow. Now, I had to listen to my manager and follow his ways and tend to his mood (@Jin). Luckily though, my manager and his wife became my close friends and my co-workers and I formed a close-knit bond. Work was now so much fun and although I don’t work there anymore, I always enjoy going back there to say hi and stop by for a drink or a meal.

Last summer, I went to Korea for about 4 months. It was not enough time to do anything other than short term summer camp jobs for children or tutoring jobs here and there. Because I had so much time on my hands, I decided to take on another frontline job at a ramen shop called Aori Ramen in Itaewon. I worked as a server, putting in the ingredients of the ramen once the chef prepares it, and then served them to the customers. It was a very simple job, but once again it was much more fun after I got close to my co-workers. I eventually befriended this cute Russian girl (@Oxana) and learned a lot of hacks from her about working in the kitchen. One thing I learned about working in frontline jobs for minimum wage was that whichever industry or nature of work it was, the pay would never suffice for someone like me. But! The people I met and the things I learned from them were priceless. I formed so many friendships and learned so much from my co-workers, I came to really appreciate my effort to immerse myself into frontline jobs outside my comfort zone.