Over the Intercom

I have found myself in a sort of wonderful place in some ways but quite unusual as well. All announcements are via the intercom. And at times it is like a "Jerry Seinfeld" moment when you can't understand a thing that is being relayed.
I woke up this morning to the announcement that breakfast is now being served. I thought that I could sleep in but no way - 7:30 am was not my idea of a wake up call time. My "puzzling" hour was later interrupted by the same voice bellowing from the wall to let the residents know that lunch was ready. It is funny to watch the people quickly rise out of their seats or emerge from their rooms only to fall into line to wait to be served by the kitchen staff. If you don't arrive shortly after the announcement there will be one of the women counting to see if there are enough seats for the people in line. At supper, I have to admit that I have already fallen into the routine. I have become one of "them."
There is always plenty of food at meal times. The servers, not so gentle at times, slop the gourmet dinner upon your plate. Seasoning of the food is up to you because not much is used during the cooking process because of the varyious diets of the residents. Each time I line up, am served, and sit to devour the food provided I have some flashbacks to dinners at the Commons. This is the cafeteria at Calvin College that Stephen and I had the pleasure of working at for $3.25/hour during our seminary days. Oh, sorry, Stephen was making $5.25. The manner in which the ladies ask what you desired to eat for the meal and how they present the food on the plate does not seem to differ from one cafeteria to another. I even think that they share the same menu plan. Tuna casserole for lunch. Pork chops baked in gravy with mashed potatoes for dinner. Vegetables are cooked, well, lets put it this way, they are recognizable until you try to pick them up with your fork. They are so "tender" they are almost fall apart when picked up. I am sure looking forward to some good food at home - I may not be the best cook but at the very least I enjoy it and miss it.
Got to go.... the intercom is announcing this evening's entertainment and the residents are on the move.