Written By: Michael Sandoval
“The Waiting Game” P. III
“Patience Persistence Positivity”
Below are Notes form my journal of how I was feeling the day after writing my last entry of “ The Waiting Game” P.II
(during the uncertain world-wide lock down)…………….
This morning, emotions are getting the best of me….. I can’t get all of the uncertainty out my head. Taking a shower has even become a task that is overwhelming. Although I have all of the needed support and love around me, I can’t stand but to bear the worlds issues on my shoulders again. This is a true test! A test of the WORK that I am ready to begin on myself! Let me step away, clear my mind and remember what is a truly important!!!
Notes from my journal the morning of writing the current blog that your reading now.
Today has come……. A brand new day of fresh light, air and life! A day of feeling blessed that I have woken up with a chance to seize the day. The human mind is a little tricky….. I have been trying to figure out where these emotions are coming from….
If emotions are sources of energy and expression of our feelings, then they must come from the body or the mind right? I guess that feelings and emotions are created out of human experience, where the five senses are like "soldiers” on stand-by, ready to perform its master's command…..
If that is true, I reflect back to my story and ask…. Was I ready to take command my soldiers without all of my senses intact??
Part III
Upon arriving to the restaurant (Bouchon Bistro), my nerves seemed to have calmed down a bit. I felt as if I had arrived into the Fortress of Solitude! It wasn’t a state of feeling alone nor was it a lonely or uninhabited place. It was my comfort zone! It was the Mecca that I had described previously; where my current kryptonite couldn’t be a detriment or my ultimate distruction. I was extremely grateful to have had my team as well. Chef Alba and the Sous Chef’s went beyond expectations to make this day successful!
Although I was in drastic pain, I had to show the team that despite of my physical limitations and deformities, this would make them and I stronger.
We spent the afternoon going through the menu expectations and specifications. There was a moment when I looked up and saw close friend and previous Chef de Cuisine Phil Tessier there to support me. I was fortunate!
Overall the menu meeting was a success. I arrived home in unbelievable pain. I plummeted into the bed and rested the discomfort away….
As the day came to an end and I laid in bed, (the inflatable floor mattress) I realized that this was exactly what I needed! It really was my escape. For a few hours I was able to forget all of my concerns of the untold future.
I finally had a strategy of how I was going to WIN this war! I needed to go back! I needed that feeling again!
The next day, I let our team know that I would be returning to work! I mentioned that I would work for about 3-4 hours a day or until my body wasn’t able to handle the pain. I thought that going back to work was going to deliver all positive solutions, but it also opened up a can of worms. It was a constant reminder of the things that I couldn’t do. I couldn’t smell the beauty of my environment. I couldn’t taste the food that I was cooking, nor give anyone else assistance or directions on what they were cooking. I was going to have to figure it all out without frustrations, but with Patience, Persistence and Positivity.
This moment was when I was able to adopted and learn the utmost and true importance of collaboration. Having everyone in the kitchen taste everything that I was cooking became a habit that I have held onto my entire career.
This is an important habit that I continuously teach young cooks today.
“The more physical senses that we involve in cooking the better chances that we have in our humble, human attempt towards perfection”.
Each day was difficult to endure, but I knew that if I continued I would eventually feel “normal” again.
Remember, technically I was not supposed to be back at work…..
One afternoon, while inside of the restaurant cutting vegetables, I felt a firm hand on my shoulder. “Chef”!
It was Chef Keller!
He casually pulled me aside and said….
“let’s go for a walk”……….
The French Laundry Garden
Please stay Posted for the Fourth and final episode of the story.