Peace Train

It's been a long 3 weeks. The amount of information coming our way can be a bit overwhelming. That combined with the dynamic of 8-10 people spending 12-14 hours a day just about every day makes for a good amount of tension. What is interesting is the group was warned about "Week 5". Right around week 5 the students begin to feel overwhelmed with the information and frustrated with life "in the fishbowl". It can make for some less than pretty moments.

Between our HM Book project and making up for the Memorial Day and Independence Day holidays, there has not been much down time. I worked most of last weekend (18-20 hours) on my Book. We have the last of our wine tasting seminars tomorrow afternoon and then back to the Book. It looks to be another work weekend. However, we are down to the last two weeks. That's almost hard to believe.

I am just about finished with my HM Book. This is where we create a Principal and spouse/partner, their family, children pets, their house, their wardrobe, linens, china, etc. We create their service style and standards. We staff the house, create task sheets for cleaning areas of the house. Create a formal dinner event to honor an international guest. It is a long project with tons of research and data entry. The International Guest insert is due on Monday. The Carmichael's (my principals) will be hosting Richard Carmichael of Carmichael, Baron of Carmichael and Lady Carmichael for a formal dinner. The Book is due July 2, but I plan on being finished but for one or two details this weekend.

We served the first of two formal dinners last night. The class was divided into 2 teams for the events the kitchen staff ("Back of the House") and the serving staff ("Front of the House"). The Back of the House is responsible for preparing the food served. Since these are 8 course meals, there is a lot of preparation involved. Four classmates plus 2 chefs worked in the hot kitchen all day. However, the food was magnificent. The Front of the House polished silver, set the table and made sure the entertaining spaces were presentable for guests. The work is certainly less physically strenuous; however, the table and house are presented to exacting standards. The Principal's guests and the Principal left very satisfied. Tonight we get to do it all over again for 10 new guests plus our hosts.

We have a late start this morning, 10 a.m. instead of 7:30. Time to hit the showers, though, show time is only 8 hours away.