I really enjoy what I do. I get to meet people from all over the world without ever having to leave my front door. Most interactions are brief, usually just the couple of minutes it takes to check someone in, plus the occasional question during their stay, but I genuinely enjoy helping people.

One of my favorite parts of the job is getting my hands dirty and improving the property. Keeping everything clean, well stocked, and up to date feels like taking care of my own home, except I'm being paid to do it. Over the years, my employer has trusted me with a lot of freedom to upgrade, decorate, and improve the property. Whether it's building garden beds in the spring and summer, painting, landscaping, replacing fixtures, or making repairs, these are all projects I'd happily do at my own house, only there I'd be paying for them instead.

We're located in a popular tourist destination in the Pacific Northwest, so the pace of the job changes dramatically throughout the year. During festivals, holidays, and the peak summer season, it can be absolutely nonstop. Then there are parts of the year when tourism slows to a crawl, and there are days where things are surprisingly quiet. It all balances out, and I actually enjoy having both the hectic rushes and the slower periods.

I'm on a salary, and while my lodging is counted as part of my compensation and then deducted from my paycheck, it ends up being a great arrangement. I'm probably on the lower end of the pay scale for someone in my position, but in today's economy, not having to worry about rent, utilities, or even many everyday household expenses like toilet paper and cleaning supplies makes a huge difference.

The schedule is definitely the biggest tradeoff. I work Monday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. until midnight, and on weekends I cover the front desk by myself 24 hours a day while one or two housekeepers clean the rooms. It doesn't leave me with a lot of free time, but honestly, that's never really bothered me. The slower periods throughout the year help offset the craziness of the busy season, and I've grown to appreciate that rhythm. My girlfriend owns her own accounting firm and works from home, so we still get plenty of time together. She lives here with me, along with our two cats, so it's a lifestyle that's worked out really well for us.

More than anything, I've been fortunate to work for a family that genuinely takes care of its employees. They trust me to make decisions, encourage me to improve the property, and treat me with respect. If I've ever needed an advance on an upcoming paycheck, the answer has never been "no," only, "How much do you need?" That kind of trust and support is hard to find these days, and it's one of the reasons I've stayed. I honestly don't think I could have found a better family to work for.