While in Charleston, SC for a recent fitness competition, I was stretched out exhausted across my bed trying to rest before heading back for finals. Our maid at the Hilton Garden Inn, Anna, knocked on the door to clean our room. I knew I wasn't about to budge from the bed in order for it to be made, so we asked that the garbage be taken out to receive water and new towels.
My boyfriend is from the islands and he heard Anna's accent. He just knew she was from Jamaica or somewhere else. He asked her. She said she hears that all the time, but she was born and raised in South Carolina. She said she was raised in a country type setting and once she was closer to a city, her accent has somewhat changed. Regardless of the type of accent, it was a beautiful one.
Anna continued to talk to us about life in South Carolina etc... She was one of those people that you would have loved to sit and talk to for hours because you knew she had some wonderful stories to tell. As she finished cleaning the room, she wished me luck with my competition and went on her way to the next room.
The next morning as we were leaving for checkout and walking down the hall, I heard a voice yell "See you all later. I hope you enjoyed your stay". I didn't even have to turn around to know that voice was Anna's!
While at the front desk I asked to speak to a manager because I wanted to commend Anna. Before I even said Anna's name the supervisor said, "Let me guess, you're on the fifth floor with Anna? We hear that about her all the time!" It's an amazing thing when one person after another feels the same type of gratitude from one person. This shows that one person can make you forever remember a simple visit. Thanks Anna!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
A Simple Card
This time of the year is always hard for me. It's my birthday - which is obviously a joyous occasion. However, at the same time, it's the anniversary of my mother's death. She passed away three days before my birthday. My parents wedding anniversary was also the same day as my birthday so I visit the mausoleum where they are buried every year on my birthday.
The week before my birthday I received a card from an unknown address. I opened it and began reading it. It was from Judy Morray, a lady at my church. I had been on the church's prayer list for the week and she wanted to take the time to send me a short note to let me know I was on her mind. She said she knew that it must be difficult for me to not have my parents around but that she knew I was making them proud.
I don't think when Judy sent the note that she knew that it was sent at the perfect time when I needed to hear those words. People rarely send you cards in the mail anymore, and definitely don't take the time to write a personal message. Her message was short, simple, sweet and full of so much meaning. Thanks Judy!!!
The week before my birthday I received a card from an unknown address. I opened it and began reading it. It was from Judy Morray, a lady at my church. I had been on the church's prayer list for the week and she wanted to take the time to send me a short note to let me know I was on her mind. She said she knew that it must be difficult for me to not have my parents around but that she knew I was making them proud.
I don't think when Judy sent the note that she knew that it was sent at the perfect time when I needed to hear those words. People rarely send you cards in the mail anymore, and definitely don't take the time to write a personal message. Her message was short, simple, sweet and full of so much meaning. Thanks Judy!!!
Free Grilled Chicken!
I, like the other millions of people in the US, printed out my coupon for a free grilled chicken meal from KFC. It was my last week that I could eat 'cheat meals' before my competition and I thought the grilled chicken was a good substitution. I researched the nutritional value of the chicken(very good) and picked out my sides that fit my list of approved food. I was on my way to a great lunch meal.
I arrived at the KFC by the old Showcase Cinema and noticed the drive-through line was rather long. No problem, I'll just park and go in. Well, when I went inside, the lines were equally as long. Everyone wanted their free chicken. When I arrived at the register I happily presented my coupon for the grilled chicken. The person taking my order, Kendrick, told me that there was a 15 minute wait on grilled chicken but they could give me fried now if I wanted it. No thanks, I didn't mind the wait.
I then proceeded to order my two sides (the coupon says 'your choice of sides') and wanted green beans and corn. Kendrick told me that they were giving everyone the same sides - mashed potatoes and one other thing. I told him about my dilemma and that I was training and couldn't have those two. He asked me to step to the side and said I could speak with the manager.
People continued flooding in to place their orders. Kendrick kept his cool through the entire process. Although the waiting area was now full of people, he did not break a sweat. He continued greeting each person positively and you would have never known how chaotic everything was around him. I believe that Kendrick's patience for the customers made all the customers that were in there calm overall. They didn't get worked up, because he didn't get worked up.
When the 15 minutes came, they packed the grilled chicken and people were on their way out the door. The manager gave me the two sides I'd requested and the grilled chicken was absolutely fabulous. I doubt when Kendrick came into work that morning that he knew how crazy the day would be. However, he made it work and filled a lot of people's satisfied stomachs!
I arrived at the KFC by the old Showcase Cinema and noticed the drive-through line was rather long. No problem, I'll just park and go in. Well, when I went inside, the lines were equally as long. Everyone wanted their free chicken. When I arrived at the register I happily presented my coupon for the grilled chicken. The person taking my order, Kendrick, told me that there was a 15 minute wait on grilled chicken but they could give me fried now if I wanted it. No thanks, I didn't mind the wait.
I then proceeded to order my two sides (the coupon says 'your choice of sides') and wanted green beans and corn. Kendrick told me that they were giving everyone the same sides - mashed potatoes and one other thing. I told him about my dilemma and that I was training and couldn't have those two. He asked me to step to the side and said I could speak with the manager.
People continued flooding in to place their orders. Kendrick kept his cool through the entire process. Although the waiting area was now full of people, he did not break a sweat. He continued greeting each person positively and you would have never known how chaotic everything was around him. I believe that Kendrick's patience for the customers made all the customers that were in there calm overall. They didn't get worked up, because he didn't get worked up.
When the 15 minutes came, they packed the grilled chicken and people were on their way out the door. The manager gave me the two sides I'd requested and the grilled chicken was absolutely fabulous. I doubt when Kendrick came into work that morning that he knew how crazy the day would be. However, he made it work and filled a lot of people's satisfied stomachs!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Early Morning Oil Change
It was time for my Acura to get an oil change. It was a last minute thought and I wanted to try to find somewhere that I could get in within 24 hours. I purchased my car at Sam Swope Honda World and remembered that they had a 30-minute speedy service Oil Change. I checked online and saw that they opened at 7:00am. I tried calling to see if I needed an appointment but could never get someone to answer the line. I contacted a great salesperson there, Lamond Chandler, and he said to go on up there, they are open.
When I arrived, I was checked in by Danielle. Most people in the car business are men, but Danielle held her ground. She asked me questions about my car, looked up the previous services that had been done and made sure that she didn't suggest any extra services that I didn't need. She wrote down the approximate time that my car would be complete and I headed inside.
Five minutes before the estimated time, Danielle came out and told me my car was ready. She apologized for quoting me a little low on one of the services (she quoted me the Honda instead of Acura price) and I told her it was no big deal. She was very cordial and polite the entire time I was there. Even though it was pouring down rain outside, she made it sunny inside. Thanks Danielle for being a wonderfully caring person!
When I arrived, I was checked in by Danielle. Most people in the car business are men, but Danielle held her ground. She asked me questions about my car, looked up the previous services that had been done and made sure that she didn't suggest any extra services that I didn't need. She wrote down the approximate time that my car would be complete and I headed inside.
Five minutes before the estimated time, Danielle came out and told me my car was ready. She apologized for quoting me a little low on one of the services (she quoted me the Honda instead of Acura price) and I told her it was no big deal. She was very cordial and polite the entire time I was there. Even though it was pouring down rain outside, she made it sunny inside. Thanks Danielle for being a wonderfully caring person!
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