I've been on a break from blogging, in case you couldn't tell. I've also, it appears, been on a break from living. If I'm not cooking for clients, I'm at my other job. If I'm not working at all, I've been wallowing. It's been a rough summer, in case you're new around these parts. I dealt with grief that came over me in waves. A client informed me they wouldn't be able to renew their contract and I nearly had a meltdown. I came to the realization that I was going to have to significantly restructure my business and ultimately, made the decision to begin looking for a 9-5 job...but knew I didn't want just any job.
In many ways, it was like experiencing a second measure of grief. I know in my gut that the economy is the biggest reason why business isn't thriving for me right now, but I feared that all the fine folks who encouraged and supported me as I launched my business would be disappointed in me. That I would look like a big fat failure. I hoped beyond hope that I would find a job with a schedule that could accommodate the occasional special event so I could still cater a bit on the side. I was bolstered by a dear friend who looked me in the eye, took me by the shoulders, and said, "No matter what else happens in your life, you struck out and pursued a dream. That's far more than lots of people can say for themselves."
The plus side, of course, would be a stable schedule, steady paycheck, and h.e.a.l.t.h. i.n.s.u.r.a.n.c.e., can I get an amen. But where to look? Everywhere I searched seemed to leave me feeling worse and worse about my qualifications - or lack thereof. I finally found a job I thought would be a perfect fit (and for which I thought, in all humility, I would be a shoo-in), and never heard back. The despair I felt was unrivaled to anything I've experienced in recent years. After the last few months, as I told a friend just a few weeks ago, I just. needed. something. good to happen.
And yet.
Through it all I knew everything would turn out okay. For reasons I'm unable to articulate, I trusted that God was beside me through my darkest hour(s). I waited. I prayed. I hoped. Occasionally, I freaked out. Then a friend called and suggested I look at a recent job posting in my area. It would draw on my experience in event planning, is only a mile from my house, and would be a stable job with benefits. I nearly ran to drop my resume off...and then waited. And waited. And waited.Until. . .
Last week I was called to interview for the position and yesterday, was made an offer which I gladly accepted. In some ways it is bittersweet - setting aside hopes I'd had for my business to thrive and flourish - and in others it is a tremendous weight off my shoulders. I'll still be able to accept special event catering gigs as I'm available, so all is not lost. In fact, a few of my clients are still eager to have me cook once in a while for them, which is very flattering.
I'm jumping right into things with a big event just around the corner at my new job - in fact, as I wrap up at The Big Green Coffee Machine and start working in my new office on a part-time basis over the next two weeks, I will be working the next eighteen days straight.
It's a new season. I feel a great sense of hope and renewal. And that tastes pretty good.
Celebratory Sangria de Cava
Ingredients:
1 lemon, 2 limes, and 1 large orange, sliced thin
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup Cointreau
1/4 cup brandy
1 bottle cava, chilled
1 cup no-pulp orange juice (better yet, fresh-squeezed if you can)
1 can lemon-lime soda, such as 7-Up, chilled
Directions:
Combine fruit, sugar, Cointreau and brandy in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight.
In a pitcher, combine the marinaded fruit, orange juice, lemon-lime soda, and cava. Stir together and add ice cubes (for fun, I froze large strawberries in an ice cube tray and added those for more color).
Serve immediately.