Week 7 at KU

 WEEK 7 has come and gone, and I cannot believe it! We have been working hard tying up the final aspects of our Special Even Dinner, and obtain managerial experience. This week also contained barista training, which was by far one of the most fun things I have been able to do! It was so informative and ended with a tour of a tour of the factory where KU buys their coffee from!

Thanks Bri! Order Up!

                By no means am I a coffee drinker, I think I have had less than 5 coffee drinks in my life, but this informative training was so much fun! I learned how to make Freshens Smoothies, espressos, Americano drinks, iced coffee drinks, how to brew coffee in large urns, and finally how to steam milk to make cappuccinos and  lattes. I thought learning to steam milk would be difficult, but using the steam wand was much easier than anticipated. It is all about wand placement, and steaming to 140 degrees. But I will say, latte art is much more difficult then baristas make it look. When I tried, the 'leaf' ended up as more of a blob, thankfully this drink had whipped cream on it to cover up my masterpiece! 

The tour to the Roasterie, which is a Kansas City based company, is who KU buys their coffee from, and we were fortunate enough to tour the factory. This tour was super informative as well; from the roast types, how to properly brew your coffee, and proper storage. This tour made me really wonder how long the tour guide's coffee routine was in the morning, based on how he described proper brewing techniques for coffee!

                Bri and I also were able to meet with the Service employees to discuss and inform them of what is happening this coming Wednesday. It was great to be able to inform them and make sure they were all on board of what is going to be taking place. And we also experienced managerial  roles, shadowing both Travis Fell and Kory Norman. On Monday, we will be able to experience General Manager, Mark Maranell's, position.  These experiences were insightful on what it is like to be a manager, and about different manager styles. It was important to learn about others,  in order for me to learn about myself.

                Friday, Christine, Bri and I traveled to Kansas City to visit the Roasterie and Boulevard Brewing Company, and we were able to try some authentic KC BBQ!! I had a pulled chicken sandwich and let me tell you! This was absolutely delicious!! I joined the clean plate club, and I was stuffed! It was so yummy! We waited on line for roughly 40 minutes, starting outside and making our way inside, but it was so worth it! By the time we left, Joe's Kansas City BBQ, had put a cooler of water with cups outside for those waiting to get inside! We then went to the Brewing Company tour, and it was so interesting. I did have to wear a blaring tag stating I was under 21, but it was still so interesting to learn of the malting process, fermenting, bottling, and history of the company!

                This Saturday, Bri and I went the Grand Opening of the DeBruce Center, where the Original Rules of Basketball are held, and there was a celebration of the opening of the building, and to celebrate the Rules. It was a fun and festive event to celebrate KU Basketball and its heritage!

     This next week is the last week here in Kansas! I can't believe how fast time has flown, but I am anxiously waiting for our event!