In Defense of Sodexo

Anyone who knows me probably knows I work for Sodexo - more importantly in the marketing department. So, it should be no surprise that I help run the Twitter, Facebook, and Foursquare accounts for Drake dining, as well. Today, some things happened that made me FURIOUS.


One student (who comments all the time on Twitter about the "nasty" food and who CHOSE to be an RA and to have a meal plan and gets to eat for free) commented about the fact that we removed cereal from our dining hall. Seriously? We still have it, but not during the evenings like we used to. How about you BUY cereal with the flex points the meal plan gives you and SHUT UP!


Another student complained that the breakfast this morning was practically cold about an hour before we closed to prepare for lunch. He said it was a waste of his money. Ahem. This is a student on a FULL SCHOLARSHIP from Drake. By waste of his money, he must mean a waste of his time because he eats, lives, and goes to Drake for free. Make me barf. Sure, the food shouldn't be cold at that time, and even the best food places aren't the best at all hours. We are currently working to fix the problem he noted. Maybe next time he can do it in a different route.


The final student who always comments on both Twitter and Facebook posts is a jerk. Enough said. He is a well-known person on campus and makes that known by his stupid and pointless posts. Like today, he saw a link we had posted from "For Students By Students" which is our national board that I am a part of. He said "which students are these who are making these decisions?" and "I wish this was actually true." WOW. If only he knew....on the national board, we work very hard to make sure Sodexo is the best we have control over on all campuses. It isn't an easy task and I put many hours into this work each week. It was a highly selective group of people who care to improve Sodexo. Changes don't happen overnight.


Because of these and many other things, I am realizing most students at Drake are spoiled, pay for nothing without mommy and daddy's help, and have no appreciation at all. Honestly, you are complaining about cereal? What a first world problem. You are being fed. For free (in his case). 


I understand picky eaters, and my fiance is definitely picky. He doesn't complain. Even he likes the food. He is not some drama queen who has to have his salmon at a precise temperature and all his food gluten free so he can lose weight and because everyone else is on a gluten free diet.


I have had it with spoiled students here at Drake. Coming from someone who sees the behind-the-scenes at Sodexo, it is one of the cleanest places you can eat. We are in such good relationship with our health and food inspectors that they know me by name. We pass every time. We spend countless hours catering to the petty needs of these drama queens only to have the COMPLAIN more. 


What a shame. I hope these students grow up one day. For their sake.




(I plan to put this as an opinion piece in the Times-Delphic. It needs to be said. I don't care if it offends anyone.)

Doing Something Right...For a Change

Once again I picked up my computer from Best Buy last week, and once again it didn't work. So last night, after I got back from Thanksgiving break, Kody took me to Best Buy.


(Because Geek Squad is worthless), they let you have a new computer after three unsuccessful repairs. Well, my computer stopped working for the fourth time, so I brought it in last night hoping to walk out with a brand new computer.


"What seems to be the problem with your computer?" the GS Technician asks.
"It has a flashing white screen. I just got it back from being repaired and I haven't even had the chance to use it yet before it began doing it again," I said.
"You just had it fixed?" he said.
"Yeah and two times before that, as well," I said. 
"...Oh, well let me pull up your file. I will be right back," he said.


He didn't even ask me to try to recreate the problem like I have had to do in the past. It was a good thing, because I couldn't recreate the problem this time. 


"Well it looks like we will have to send this into our repair center. Because you have had three unsuccessful repairs in the past, you should get a new computer. They will send us a gift card for the amount and we will call you so you can come in and get a new computer," he said.


Wow. It was plain, simple, and he was kind about it. Every other time I went into Best Buy to have my computer fixed, they were rude, acted like I was bothering them, and just wanted to get me out of the store. This guy, on the other hand, really cared about my computer and just wanted to make me happy. 


Given the many bad past experiences I have had with Geek Squad so far, this is a sigh of relief. 

Horrible Experience, Great Food

On Saturday, I went to eat at what is basically my favorite sandwich shop, Jimmy Johns.

Since Kody took me, it was free for me. (Get a boyfriend. They pay for things).

I believe there were three people working there on a Saturday evening around 7:30pm or so, which seemed to be plenty. The girl at the register was friendly, as was the first sandwich maker.

The second sandwich maker, however, was a total jerk. He yelled out our sandwich orders and became annoyed if we didn't run to grab it at Olympic athlete pace. Strike one.

Then, Kody, tasted his Dr Pepper and noticed that it was all carbonation and no flavor. When he informed this man rather politely, he said:

"We will get to it when we get to it. We are busy right now."

He was doing nothing. AT ALL. I believe he was the  manager because he barked at one of the other workers to fix the problem instead of him.

I am not sure what was up with this guy, but it made for a bad experience. He was in such a crabby mood the entire time we ate there, as well.

I loved the food, as I usually do, but I am going to take my order to go next time.

What a Surprise!

I did not sleep well last night so I have been dragging all day. I decided to go to the coffee shop on campus and grab a quick iced latte.

The coffee shop is a "We Proudly Serve" Starbucks location, which means I usually hate the drinks. It is no secret that I typically hate Starbucks. In my opinion, the coffee sucks. I usually get double the shots of flavor and still have to add more sugar substitute to drown out the nasty flavor.

However, today was different. I could tell by looking at it that it looked different. My usual skinny white chocolate iced latte with light ice actually looked like an iced latte! What a concept!

To be honest, it was really good. I am not sure what was up today, but I actually liked the coffee today. No extra shots or sugar added.

Keep it up, Olmsted Coffee shop workers. You are beginning to make the worst coffee brand in America taste great.

Great Example

Most of you already (well probably all three or so of you) know that I work at Meredith Corporation in downtown Des Moines. I love this place. Today, I discovered another reason why I love it here so much.

My split pea soup, pretzels, and banana

The pictured lunch that you see here was only $2.99. I am not sure why it was so cheap, but it was. I always feel undercharged when I eat here. 

This happens to be a corporate Sodexo account. I have to say, I am happily impressed with the way this corporate account runs. I can't get over how cheap my meals are, along with how many options I have here. I would NEVER find split pea soup at Drake. It just isn't offered.

I wish the college accounts could be more retail oriented like this one. I can get whatever I want and as much of it as I want and pay when I am all done. It is great. It is a great balance between resident dining and retail that you find in college accounts.

Reality, Please Stop Being So Real

I had some photos sent to me from the SBOD meeting I attended last weekend in Boston. 

When I opened the email, I realized all of the great reasons I loved the event so much. All 236 photos made me smile. I was in a good 50 or so of the photos, so I suppose I was quite present at the meeting. This wouldn't usually bother me very much, because I don't mind photos, but I don't hate them.

Well, that has now changed. I hate photos of myself. If you saw these photos you would know what I mean. How was there not a single good photo of me in the album? Typically I can find a photo I at least like a little bit. Not this time around. 

Things are going to have to change if I am going to let people photograph me. 

I am:

1. Going to have to get pretty. Very pretty.
2. Going to lose a few pounds (or a multiple of a few).
3. Dyeing my hair back blonde. It looked orange and trashy.
4. Find some clothes that are at least somewhat cute and less than 5 years old.

Sheesh. I am so critical of stupid things most of the time. 

Airport Food: BAD

There are many times in my life I actually liked airport food. It doesn't take much to make a nice latte, or bag some trail mix for me to like.

When I got off the plane from my Boston-Milwaukee connection flight, I had a two hour layover in the Milwaukee airport. It was like 8pm Boston time, so I was starving. I found a small coffee shop in the middle of the airport called Alterra. It looked better than the nastiness that is Starbucks, so I thought I would get a decaf coffee and a breakfast sandwich. BAD IDEA.

First of all, the customer service was horrible. I had a hole in my plastic cup and when I went to tell the barista about it, she just put it inside another cup and handed it back to me. By that point, I had lost about half my drink that I had yet to take a sip of. In true Eryn fashion, I (not so) nicely asked her to make me a new drink. She did.

Secondly, my "breakfast sandwich" was about as nasty as sandwiches come. The barista had to take it out of the freezer and microwave it for me so I could eat it. I am sure it had been in the freezer all day.

Note to self: if something says "breakfast all day," DO NOT eat it.

This sandwich was gross and cooked all unevenly. It had peppers in it that were not in the description and it made me want to rethink what I find appetizing in a breakfast sandwich. Nothing about that bagel made me want to continue eating it. From the stench, to the odd color, to the soggy bread, I was ready to throw it all away.

It was too bad I was famished. I should have just bought something new.


Takeaways:

• Do not heat up a frozen item in the microwave in front of the customer
• Do not try to cover up your mistake in the laziest way possible
• Do not eat at Alterra at 7pm on a Sunday evening

Quincy Market

My last day in Boston (Sunday), we went to Quincy Market and walked around a little bit. 

It was just a small group of us, so I didn't take many photos. Also, I am a horrible photographer, so this is all you get.

We walked by a parade, saw some beautiful buildings, and enjoyed the (rather hot) weather. I had my first lobster roll, and my first cannoli that day. Goodness, I was exposed to so many things! I had a great time and I wish the trip could have lasted longer.

Bawston

This past weekend I spent about three whole days in Boston for the National Student Board of Directors fall meeting. I truly enjoyed the entire event. I could never live in Boston, but I am certainly up for visiting again.

One of the best aspects was the cute Boston accent the Boston natives had. Sometimes I wish I had an accent. I even asked several of the other board members what kind of accent I have and most said, "You don't." I would think I do have one. Doesn't everyone? It is relative, I would think.

I am glad to be back in Iowa, even though this week has been full of nothing but tests. Blech.