Friday, December 19, 2008
~ 10:36 PM ~
Yes, last day. All of us have been looking forward and counting down till this day when attachment ends. With the congratulations that friends offer, i believe i aren't counting down on my own. But like all mankind, we tend to forge this sense of attachment only when it's nearing the end and when it's too late. Apart from the mundane job scope that we faced day to day with exception on certain occasions, the whole experience was pretty enjoyable with lunch break to look forward to each day and counting down the quarters till knock off time. Now that doesn't sounds like it comes from someone enjoying the job.
I'm pretty much thankful for those who tried to make us feel like part of them instead of turning a blind eye to us. Especially the fellow runners that we made friends with at the last two days, well apparently slacking birds of the same feathers flock together. Apart from that there's also star the waiter and alex the chef that were exceptionally friendly to us and occasionally random chat with us about non-work related stuff that make work more enjoyable. I guess we understand how they can forget about our existence when they rush around like chickens during peak hours, but sometimes we just don't understand why they wouldn't enlist our help when they slog their ass out in the restaurant while the rest of us stand around in the kitchen being new born furnitures that got in the way.
The job of wiping plates, cutlery and wine glasses became such a routine we resigned ourselves to the mundane work after the second day at work. On the first day, we were hoping life would get more interesting after familiarizing ourselves with the environment on the days that followed. We behaved like good helpers sent from heaven and did all the dirty work that the others escaped from. When we realised we faced the same routine on the second day, we gave up hoping to work outside in the restaurant. But when life looks gloomy, we realised it can't get worst, because we had our first opportunity to venture out there. And i swear that was the one and only. It was a nice change, handling customers, clearing their used dishes and serving them drinks. At least we could see people out there besides plates and forks. All of us were dying to get out of the kitchen during the first few days, but towards the end, the attitude changed to "How about you go out there and let me slack in here with the plates?"
Now that's it. Wipe hard and fast at the cutlery. Trays and trays of them.
Stacks of plates that have been half wiped.
Over the period of two weeks, we learn how the experienced slacked runners wipe their plates and cultery. That isn't a good sign because behind the scenes we witness how horrifyingly dirty the utensils actually can be.
Through this attachment, we realise how important it is to appreciate others when they do something for us. Joel mentioned how he lousy he felt when he handed a milk jug to the guest and din't receive any form of acknowledgement or a simple word of thanks.
Overall, it was a nice experience because of the food i look forward to at lunch.
Occasionally when we're lucky, there would be nice treats like muffins brought down from the leftovers in the restaurant. -.- That sounds pathetic, but i wonder why i don't get nicer food from this attachment as compared to xiangli's experience. All we get is to look at the trolley of good food that rolled by us, meant for the guests. Now i kind of regret not eating more when i paid for the food at Oscar that day.
This is the staff cafe where we have our meals. The spread of food is pretty good, with side dish to main course to dessert and free flow of food and drinks. I guess each day we eat $36 worth of buffet lunch since we don't get paid while part timers get $6 per hour.
The only excitement going around in the hotel this two weeks is the hosting of the taiwanese boy band-fahrenheit. They are treated with much secrecy and privacy to protect them from crazy fans. But those lucky room service girls from tkgs get to send food to them and omg receive TIPS from Wuzun plus exchange a few words. That's ultimate, it makes the whole attachment worthwhile. She should just frame up the note and stop smelling the note. -_-
The best part is making friends.
