Tenille Fey

Growing up home schooled in my high school years, I had a lot of time on my hands. It was an important goal to rid myself of the shyness that held me back from so many things. Luckily, I had a self motivating spirit pushing me forward everyday. I joined the workforce as soon as it was legal. At sixteen years of age, I got my workers permit and immediately applied at a movie theater-and got the job! I learned cashiering skills, up selling, deep cleaning, making popcorn, and the secrets of what to eat from the theater, and what to stay away from. Mind you, it only lasted six months, before my parents got tired of dropping me off and picking me up. Not to mention, it was near a nightclub. So there were a lot a stumbling, drunk people pouring into the theater. Messing up the place and making it a semi unsafe atmosphere. If nothing else, it was a good learning experience. When my mother's small boutique started getting more business, I signed on as one of her seamstresses. I had no idea how many different stitching options there were on a sewing machine. Or for that matter, what a Sergers was. I picked up everything she taught my sister and me pretty quick. It's funny how having a passion for something can make your job that much more enjoyable. Lucky for me I had mild O.C.D. Meticulousness was what made our jobs a success. All of her church friends kept us busy with customized requests. A new dress for every big assembly, a Hawaiian slip dress for a Hula number, anything they could think of, we would attempt to make for them. That lasted for about two years, before I got the itch to put myself into a more socially incline avenue of retail. The desire landed me a position in the business of wedding coordinating. A close friend of my mother's was looking for an assistant. While at the same time wanting to help me overcome the shyness that still lingered in me. It seemed like a perfect match. I was the youngest office assistant there. The owner and her two associate coordinators were in their forties and sixties. Yet, very patient. They trained me in not only clerical skills, but public relations. Their accounts with hotel reservations, client transportation, wedding location booking, flower vendors, and restaurant reservations all rested on my shoulders. The women possessed such nurturing, that until thins day, I am surprised that I did not crack under pressure with all of that responsibility. The owner was a saint! She broke me out that shell so well, that I felt the need to test it's boundaries. Moving on to another area of customer service, after two years of being the Wedding planing promoter. The next job practically fell into my lap. Four cousins and one of my aunts had been working in a nice sized lounge, at a popular golf course. Since the restaurant was owned by Don Hoe's mother, it was quite popular. Even in it's secluded location. What could be more sociable than a restaurant server? I thought it was perfect! I was nineteen, and blissfully embracing my financial independence. The position was just what I needed. Fast paced customer service, with the perks of tips and a beautiful view. What more could a young adult ask for? I met good friends along the way. Built good connections with regular customers, and got the management to love me! Sadly, it all came to an end after only a year. As parental issues resurfaced. They did not feel that the atmosphere was reflective of our past religious beliefs and outlooks. Living under their roof, I had to comply. I was only a few weeks out of the restaurant job, when I applied at a boutique in Waikiki. It was my favorite style of clothing! Flirty, without being scandalous. The pay was not as important as my need to be great at what I did. There, I learned a mild amount of Japanese. The atmosphere was young and fun. Yet, ironically, this job that i loved so much was only looking for seasonal help. So by the time summer was over, I was out of a job. The fact that I was let go made me question my abilities. Perhaps my social skills weren't at their best-still. The Gap would be my perky outlet. Being brutally trained on the importance of customer service. Literally having meetings every other week to get inside the shoppers' heads. It was intriguing. I noted that applying the training DID feel awkward, to say the least. Yet, no matter how corny or fake it felt, as long as YOU believed in yourself, the customer had confidence in you as a salesperson. I remained with the company for six good years. Seeing management change and learning how to adapt to different personalities I had come across. If a job gave one the sense of home, this one was it for me. I loved the people I worked with, the customer's that came in, even the mall workers from other stores. Nearing economic hardships, the location's lot was sold from under them, to a higher bidder. It took the stores closure to get me to leave. Deciding that this was a sign, that I needed a change. After my maternity leave I had worked at the resort typed boutique Tori Richards. Getting me back into the retail swing of things. I know it LOOKS like I'm a frequent jumper. But leaving this store was a necessary thing. Seeing as how the store manager was a racist, bigot. It was one of the only jobs I had something negative to say about. Leaving after only three months. Far too long to stay, working for someone with such a closed mind. I alerted the corporate office about their choice in management, and left it all in fates' hands. I ended my journey at Starbucks of all places! Having been trained by a spooky look man with the kindness of a care bear. I had finally found my 'third place', as the company calls it. The home away from home that I shall never leave. Unless an asteroid comes to demolish it. Steaming milk, blending frappuccions, calibrating espresso shots, and connecting with customers make it all worth it! Not to mention, it leaves me a good amount of time to dedicate to more writing!

Interests and Hobbies:

I have a silly theory. Whatever your mother does before she goes into labor with you-that's what your hobby will be.

1975- Woman shops till she drops. Her water bag breaks in a shopping mall.
Years later, her daughter's greatest past time becomes shopping!

1979-Woman is teaching herself how to play the acoustic guitar. Her water bag breaks after she finally learns a whole song.
Years later, her second daughter becomes a bass player, and band roady.

1982-Woman is painting with watercolors, letting her creativity come out through art and her love for music. She drops her paintbrush. Her water breaks while listening to The Captain and Tennille's Love Will Keep Us Together. The result: I get named after the female lead, Tenille (with one less 'n')and develop a never ending bond with art in every embodiment.

Paper was my best friend! I did so much with it growing up. Origami, craft projects, poems, short stories, sketches, paintings-what would I have done without it? To this day, I shamelessly say, I love paper! Yet with the world going green, I need to consider recycling and invest in a press.

I love to write. Poetry was my first real attachment. Whenever I would have a good day, or a strange dream, it inspired me to put it in written form. I crafted an old book of my grandfather's with gold velvet, and a black bow to write in. Sounds gaudy right? It was! But it made me feel like a little princess, with a magical tome.

From an early age I've had characters running around in my imagination. Mostly the whimsical variety. Besides writing short stories about them, I would sketch each character from top to bottom.

Like most children, fairy tales were a big part of my childhood. I thank Walt Disney for creating such colorful visions of the literary masterpieces by the Brother's Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen & James M. Barrie.

When I learned how to read, I never stopped. Daring to tackle William Shakespeare's literary treasures. Collecting books with compositions of other favorites. Even going to the library to reread books I had scrolled multiple times. I had an affair with the Renaissance era for most of my teenage existence. I didn't care if everyone thought I was weird for choosing a book over a video game controller. It was worth every withered page!

I believe music goes hand in hand with writing. As I read a book, I'll sync a play list with it, to get further into depth with the character's I'm reading about. If nothing fits, I'll get on iTunes and hunt down appropriate songs. Crazy? Just about art.

I hope to gain a better sense of myself, through my writing. Heighten my abilities to depths I've only dreamed of. Maybe even be proud of reading my own work, as I have done with some of my favorite authors.

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