Last 20 years ago, my mom established the restaurant, Nature's Niche Restaurant on July 1, 1991. I had no idea just because I was only two years old. My grandma was babysitting me and my older brother at home while my parents were at work. As I grew up, I had the school bus. The school driver always took me to Nature's Niche restaurant after school since I was in elementary school. I kept bothering mom to play with me instead of working. I was an annoying child. In addition, when I had a field trip with my elementary classmates and teachers, teachers decided to stop by Nature's Niche. I wanted to brag to my friends, "this restaurant is mine." just for my pride. I was the full of ego -.- I've never forgotten.
At age 11, when my summer vacation had begun, I had to stay at home with my brother while my parents were at work. My brother was suddenly different from before. He couldn't take care of me and went out. I was home alone&very starved. I looked for foods in the refrigerator. I made my own lunch for my first time. No one taught me because I was a very spoiled child (beside doing parents' chores on my own without parents' orders). I started making foods just because of the restaurant that I had been watching the employees making. It was how I learned from the Nature's Niche Restaurant.
Before becoming 16 years old, I was very ...... mean and rude. I was like a princess. I showed off to my classmates that I had everything such as the cool pencil, pen, case, and etc. I considered of myself as a rich girl. Believe it or not? Like what I said from the above, I was the full of ego. I was a horrible girl, but was a good student. I was a cold-hearted and easily hated my friends whom I could break up with. When I was 16 years old, my brother left home. He was a really bad teenager at the time. Nature's Niche was really slow and getting decreasing because of the economic. Mom was having a hard time. I started realizing how hard lives are as it is right now. Little by little, I was slowly learning more&more from restaurant how hard it was. I don't complain if I am rich or not. Thanks to Nature's Niche Restaurant. Without Nature's Niche restaurant&mom, I could have been mean.
Since 4 years, I had been working at Nature's Niche as a volunteer after one of mom's employers had to leave because she was pregnant. I even memorized the number 1-34 from the menu as I just started working. My friends told me to earn the money, but I don't need any money from mom. I knew mom was having a hard time earning money to pay the bills and other stuff. I just love working at Nature's Niche. I wanted myself busy and be a hard-worker.
The day after Mother's Day, my brother just texted me while I was in Asian-American Studies class at California State University of Northridge. He told me, "mom received the letter. It said, "You have the notice of 60 days to shut down the restaurant." I was holding it back with the full of anger&very hurt. I held my tears up. In my mind, "how could you do that to my mom and restaurant? I am going to take a revenge on the landlord and the next door who is going to steal mom's place, Mil Jugo because this restaurant has a lot of space than Mil Jugo Restaurant." This restaurant was founded since 20 years. I just dreamed that when I get job near the location of Nature's Niche. I would tell on others to boo on the place that is stolen by Mil Jugo owner. Or, if I make a lot of money. I would take everything away from the Mil Jugo owner what she has. It was a REVENGE. Knowing about the 60 days notice, I tried to hold it in & show my bright side to friends like nothing has happened.
Comforting mom, I would do anything to sacrifice myself for mom. Last two weeks ago, I told mom, "Don't worry, I am going to take a revenge on the Mil Jugo owner and landlord and might give you back what you had lost." I hate when MOMS are always right. Said, "Don't do that, Janice. Taking a revenge is wrong, you know better. don't let your past to ruin your future. Revenge gives you a lot of bad things in the future. So, don't hold it back." So.. Rather than Holding it back, Holding it in.. Accept the facts. Things are always happening. Things will get better later. :) It is normal for people to hold it back, it's okay.
Receiving many loves from the regular customers, I really appreciate it a lot. Seeing many customers, they were upset and crying. I felt hurt because we had to shut down. They told mom, "You are the most nice owner ever I've met. I won't forget your smile." To our customers, I won't forget your faces. :) Hope we bump into each other later. Promise I will say Hello first!
Today, it's EXACTLY 20 years, July 1, 2011, it is time for me to let it go even though I STILL DO NOT WANT LET IT GO. After saying good-bye to the Nature's Niche and my long time employee, I seriously hate crying. my eyes were swollen. It was really hard for me to let them go. This place, Nature's Niche is the full of memories that I treasured. To 20 years Nature's Niche business, thank you for changing my life & being the part of my life. Because of you, I survived and experienced what I had learned. You will be always missed. I love you. It is time for me to step the NEXT new chapter of my life. I am going to look after my family & support my friends.
All of blogs are DIARY to me. :)
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| I was very bragging to classmates |
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| find ashley & danielle berman. |
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| Because of Nature's Niche, we became really closer. thankyou!~ |
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| 2009 |
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| 2010. credit to Jessica |
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| without Nature's Niche, I wouldn't know how to make balloon twisting. thanks customer. |
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| the reason why you had to come for me. |
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| To customers&my friends, THANKYOU! feel so loved |
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| the male customer gave mom the flowers. :) |
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| wow, huh? a lot of notes from the customers. 7 pages. really touched. |
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| thankyou! we enjoyed them |
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| the gang! |
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| truly love flowers :) |
To my friends, Kimberly, Jiyoung, Desiree, Kai, June, Eric, Leo, Moi, Ashley, Justin, Vincent, and Jeff. Thank you for the Fruit arrangements & Flowers. Really love them! I was very surprised twice! You are such thoughtful.
My conversation with mommy:
the delivery man came by restaurant and was looking for the name, Janice Chang.
Mom: oh my god, hey Janice, your your your!
Me: huh?
Delivery man gave me the signature. i was like wtheck and signed my name.
We read the letter and were trying to figure who it was.
Mom: OH! thats my customer, EMILY! aw thats so sweet! so loved!
me : but why did she put my name on it? and why did it say, "love, the gang"?
Mom: i don't know
me: but how does she know my name? IMPOSSIBLE! but this letter seems not from Emily.
Mom: she knows your name. two of customers know your name.
me: mom, i dont think this gift is from your customer. I think its probably my friends. this letter seems like my friend wrote this!
mom: really?
me: let me text jiyoung! (it is because she knew about edible arrangement that I offered for Kimberly's family)
figured out its from my thoughtful friends!
me: i knew it was from my friends!
mom: aww i feel so loved. Your friends are really thoughtful. they are much better than oppa's friends. (oppa=older brother)
me: oh hell yes!
arrived home & got another flowers again from them! really surprised again! mwah mwah!
