Fairwell

October 22, 2016

As I sit here watching the Wyoming @ Nevada football game, I have a knot in my stomach. It's accompanied by a slight bit of excitement and uncertainty. For the last four and a half years, I have had the same job. But today, I threw out the skates and hung up the apron. Today was my last day at Sonic Drive-in.

Everyone remembers their first job, but few end up sticking with that job. When I began looking for my first job at 16, Sonic was not my initial go to. In fact, I didn't even want to work in fast food. I didn't know much about Sonic except that I loved their ice cream.

May 1, 2012. My first day at my first job. To say the least it was rough. It was a busy summer day and I was left to figure out drive through. I remember the GM telling me I needed to be faster and continually yelling demands. Trying my best, I became completely overwhelmed and began crying. I called my mom on my break and told her I couldn't do it. She convinced me to stick it out for a week. After that week, I decided to stay, and never seemed to leave. I continued to work at Sonic through high school. When I decided to go to the University of Wyoming in Laramie, I knew they had a Sonic, and I would need to keep working in college. In June 2014, I officially "transferred" from Colorado Springs to Laramie.

During the summer of 2016, Laramie experienced a drastic management change. While I had gone through seven other manager changes, this one was different. I did not agree with how the store was being ran, and the assistant GM butted heads with everyone. I decided I was going to apply at Basic Beginnings. After two months of not hearing anything, I received a call for an interview. A few weeks later, I accepted a position and began my new job. I decided that I would work both jobs, Basic during the week, and Sonic on the weekends. Five weeks into semester, after having talked to my mom about it multiple times, I decided I was going to quit my job at Sonic.

This was a big decision. I was leaving behind four and a half years of my life.

After four and a half years, five summer of shakes, four freezing winters, two locations, nine different GM's, three owners, two different colored shirts, three pairs of pants, two aprons, two hats, two name tags, two pairs of skates, and three pairs of shoes, I am officially done.

I will never have to put that uniform on again. Never smell like fast food. Never take another order. Never make another cherry limeade. Never count down another changer.

Over the last four and a half years, I have learned some valuable lessons.

-You will always have supervisors and co-workers you do not like. You just have to learn how to work with them and not let them bother you.
-Most of the time, lime juice stings worse and longer than lemon juice.
-The customer is not always right. In fact, sometimes they are completely wrong.
-Being able to count back change is a valuable life skill, as both an employee and a consumer.
-Take things one step at a time. It's easy to become overwhelmed. It's important to focus on one thing at a time.
-Always tip your severs, including carhops. They deserve it.
-Try to always have fun, no matter what you are doing.
-And most importantly. Glorify God!!

Working at Sonic was a great overall experience. I met some great people and have some amazing memories. Thank you to everyone involved.

Until next time,
Ashley