Day 24

Yesterday was Day 24 which is a Friday.
Served afternoon tea until break time, then had wine training at night.

Was somewhat fun cause we didn’t serve any of the customers yesterday night. Spent almost the rest of the evening practicing on opening the wine bottle and pouring it out for the guest.
Still quite nervous on today’s work. Wonder what I have to do today.

Am currently obsessed with pretty stars. I love the five pointed thingi-ma-ningi. Even went to Gurney Plaza to buy a pair of silver star earrings.   :)
Will buy another pair tomorrow. So excited. wheeeee 

Day 23

Yesterday was day 23. which would then make it a Thursday.

Served afternoon tea as per usual. Served tea, sandwiches, scones and pastries.

During dinner, managed to watch flambe again twice. Was able to serve bread, water and amuse bouche. Took dessert order and changed table cloth.

These are the few things I managed to learn. There is still so much more to learn though.

Till then.

Day 22

Aiks. Its already the third day in 1885. Made plenty of mistakes today. I’m so lucky the supervisor did not pin me down for those mistakes.

Managed to take the guest’s order for the afternoon tea and served them too. Was a relief that I didn’t do any silly mistakes during the afternoon tea.

Dinner was horrible. I had a miscommunication with the guest, dropped the lid of the water urn and placed the amuse bouche on the wrong place on the table. Felt really embarrassed as all those were really silly mistakes. At least I got to serve the customers and it wasn’t so boring.

Learned that I have to always serve on the right and collect plates from the left. The amuse bouche have to be placed on the show plate  and the cakes for the afternoon tea have to be explained to the guests.

But so far so good. I’m still coping.

Day 21

Yesterday was Tuesday and stood around like a statue again.

I feel like a permanent puppet being placed by the side of the restaurant. People would only glance at it just for a moment and then lose their interest after that second.

There’s nothing I could do and I’m not even sure what I should be doing. Everything is so different. Serving guests is prohibited unless I’m really sure of everything. Dinner would be the last thing I could ever serve because I don’t know the ingredients. There is so much to memorise and I am so dead.

The assistant restaurant manager is coming in today and she is a little more strict compared to the supervisor. I am very afraid ad my job seems to be an inevitable thing for me now.

Everyday, there is nothing to look forward to, except to slowly accept the fear of going there to work.

There is nothing to look forward to. And sometimes I wonder if I had taken the right career choice.

Now I question myself.

Day 20

Day 20 is today !!

And it was one of the longest awkward hours that I’ve even gone through. After I was done with little tasks here and there. I spent most of my time standing around and observing others.

Had a short training on the setting of the table and the name of cutleries and the glassware. It felt like F&B class back in college all over again.

Everything was so much more complicated and difficult. I’ve learned how to do the setting for the afternoon tea and dinner. And I’ve read through the menu and try to understand the food being served here.

Now, I have to slowly understand the sequence of changing the cutleries and how to serve the customers. Everything has to be prick and proper. No close distances with colleagues when guests are around. No facing your back towards them. No making loud noises. And more NOs to learn for the next three weeks.

I AM SO DOOMED.

Day 19

Yesterday was Saturday and was my last day at Sarkies Coffeehouse. Today is my off day and tomorrow I am working at 1885, a fine dining restaurant.

I am soooo dead.

For my last day, I was sent to the back lane to wipe all the plates and clear up all the buffet items. Not very educational, but at least I get to eat lots of stuff and chit chat at the back.  

TILL THEN.

Day 18

Yesterday was a Friday and I was assigned to verandah. Had to serve 70 people on my own because the captain said I was a quick worker.

But the other  30 people did not turn up so I ended up with 38 men and 2 ladies to serve. Which in the beginnning was scary because they were giving me the creepy eyes and the crooked smile.

One of them even asked for my phone number. But anyway, after a long round of drinks they went home. And I was relieved.

Had to stay back to sit down and count a whole lot of linen. Cleared all the rest and sent the linen down to the housekeeping department.

So today will be my last day in Sarkies Corner. I can’t believe 3 weeks is gone just like that. Not totally looking forward to working at 1885.    :(

But I’ll just have to try to cope.

Day 17

Was a thursday. Placed in charge of Tigram. My second least favourite place. Why? Because the round tables are placed so closely to the wall it’s difficult to get plates out of there and to refill their water too.

Anyway, yesterday’s guest was the most demanding that I’ve served throughout my days at Sarkies Corner. There were a bunch of kids that ate a little and wasted the rest. The whole extended family was more or less demanding too. Even the little ones.

Followed up on all their requests and ran errands for the blackjackets too. Apparently they were all focused on serving the King of Perlis and his friends who came yesterday to have dinner. His seat was done so elaborately with all the gold tableware and napkin.

I have two more days left before I’m being switched to another department. Somehow I look forward to it, and don’t look forward to it at the same time.

I’ll miss the people that were around there to help me through everything, and then there’s that small portion of people who are just so …………………

Till then.

Day 16

Yesterday was a Wednesday. Worked the afternoon shift. Time was moving really really slow and I was practically inching with time.

Was placed in charge of Arshak again. My favourite place in the whole restaurant.   :)       Then again, I do like a little variance.

Realized that the workers there were gossiping about me behind my back. They said I was stuck up, which I don’t think I was in the first place. It hurts sometimes, when you’re here alone, trying to make things work and trying to fulfil everyone’s expectations at the same time. But you end up being called names behind your back. They make you a friend, and dump you the next.

I’d wish that I’d learned from all these. That I’d lock up my heart and will never have to be vulnerable to all these petty name calling that might hurt so much. I will never be susceptible to all feeling of loneliness and condemn myself of being so weak to everything.

Everyone, every single breathing living person is only a liability. They either become an asset or just another rubbish waiting to be dumped. Nobody is a friend, or an actual person who actually understands what the rest of the world is going through.

No. Apparently not.  

So now I’m left with two things.

I’ve locked my heart. And its up to you whether you would become a liability or an asset.

day 14 and day 15

Day 14 is Monday.

Worked alone at the Arshak section. was a super super horrible day. got told off a few times throughout the day. And when I was angry at myself and realized that my mum was not here, I cried.

It was my first time feeling really homesick since I came here.

As for day 15. Which would be today.

Just got back from Queensbay Mall after watching Great Days. Very uber funny and depressing show.

Have been feeling a little bit lonely now. And my heart is sick of being alone, and always having to take care of myself. I hate them for doing this to me. For causing me to feel sudden emptiness and helplessness. The black hole of something that is missing in me.

With no one to hold me when I cry and tell me its all right, to run to me and tell me everything will be alright. No shoulders to cry on, no back to hide my face behind, and no one to wipe my tears away. Its just me and me alone against everything else.

I wanna run far far away, and cry out loud.

To just scream in the wind. And hear my voice screaming back at me.

I want to hide.

Day 13

Sunday. 

Verandah today. Had a full house. Cleared plates, and attended to guest’s request. Had to shoo away crows that were drinking out of the guest’s water glass. Besides that, refilled water and ran errands around as usual.

Nothing much again today. I can’t believe I’m switching next week to another department. I am going to miss the people in Sarkies Corner so so much. Its just recently after I started to accept that fact that I’m working everyday for long long long hours, I have a few people who were there to help me when I needed help most. And these people were there to make things a little more fun.

I sigh just thinking about next week.

Day 11 and Day 12

Day 11: Friday.

Was sent to the back lane to wipe all the plates, and cutleries and glasses. Nothing productive, and nothing new to learn.

Just appreciating the boringness of life.

Day 12 Saturday.

Which would be today.

Got in charge of Arshak and since today is a weekend, there was a total of 206 people coming in for buffet today. Number of servers serving the guests: 6 people. Not including the back lane people.

OMG. crazy number fact at Sarkies Corner.

Cleared a crazy lot of plates, and refilled water and served requests.  

did the usual as usual.   (:    there’s another day tomorrow.

Day 8 and Day 9 and Day 10

Day 8 Tuesday

Worked at Martin today. Low occupance today too. Not as many as usual.

Cleared plates and refilled water. Prepared some special requests by guests too like preparing fingerbowls.

Worked alone and rode on the bus alone too.

Day 9 Wednesday

Was my off day. My first break in a week. Was mad tired but extremely excited with the fact that I could meet Karen and have good talk with her.   (:

Went Queensbay Mall and shopped for some stuff with her.

Day 10 Thursday

Was placed in charge of Verandah today. Had a difficult time trying to wake up on time. Anyway, verandah was full during the morning buffet. But no so full during the hi tea.

Was then placed to Tigran to help another casual worker with clearing the plates. They ate like lightning and we had a hard time trying to clear so any people’s plates at once. Their plates were piling up every second and we had to work quick.

Did the same work again. Not much. Had a short training on how to set the table the proper way. 

this is for you. since you wanted a reason so badly, then this is for you you you.

I’m tired of arguing with you. I’m tired of talking to you. As if trying to cope with loneliness is not enough. It feels like when I’m talking to you, you’re more focused on her. Your thoughts are only on the phone and no where else. I’m done talking with myself. Everytime I’m trying to say something, it feels like you’re contradicting my words. As if I’m fighting for democracy and you would prefer an empire. I can’t say anything without it ending with an argument followed by a detailed report of YOUR opinion.

How is it possible, when you’re with a friend and still feel lonely?

Have you ever cared? I don’t know. I don’t know what is right or wrong anymore. I’m no longer sure whether my actions are right or wrong. But till then. I’ll remain silent to think out what my next move is.

I’ll put up with the path maped out for me. I’ll put up with whatever is thrown my way, no matter how difficult it is for me to face. But I won’t tolerate your contradicting words anymore. If that is something I can avoid, then I will.

I’m tired. I’m angry. I’m tired of being so lonely and angry all the time. I’m tired of random people calling me, and more random people trying to know me.

I can’t cope with anything anymore.

I’m done.

Day 8

Monday. Low occupance today. Not many reservations. Was put in charge of Arshak again. Three days in a row. Was slow today, and everything else was slow today. There weren’t many people today, I think its because its a monday, the start of a week.

Cleared the tables and refilled water. The same old routine all over again. Not much of a difference in job doing today. Same old same old.

Day 6 and 7

Day 6 would be a saturday afternoon. Yes I was working throughout my saturday afternoon.

Cousin and her two children cam to visit me in the morning and they took me out for lunch. After that, head back to the hotel to start work.

Was in charged of Arshak on Saturday. It was a wine and dine theme and it was a full house. I had my hands filled with guests waiting for me to refill their water and clear their plate.

Before the night end, I managed to recieve tips to about RM30. Which made me extremely happy.

As for Sunday, was put in the back lane with two other anonymous person. Wiped the glasses the helped with setting the table outside. In the end, right before the buffet started, I was switched with another colleague to be placed in charge of Arshak again.

Managed to serve another regular guest, which made me really happy. 

If I die young, bury me inside, lay me down on a bed of roses

Sometimes, the past is a much better place to be. To wallow in the dreams I had before, rather than facing reality now. Reality as we grow up, has become so tangled up. The threads leading to each path can no longer be unravel, and everything has become a blur grey. There is no white, or black, just grey grey grey.

I wonder if I’ve chosen the right course, if it was really my choice to abandon my family and my life and my friends to live this other life, where my whole would be dedicated to this job only.

Would things start to become complicated so slowly, and all the time I have left, would be just to sit down and think about my past. The much simpler life before.

I know that I may never stay there for long, reality is always passing me by, so quickly.

 

It’s a saturday and I’m here waiting for work to start and feeling very mellow. I’m working on a weekend, how depressing is that.   ):

Its tough getting used to this life. Getting used to the fact that everyday would just be another day, no weekends, or weekdays, or public holidays. Just days, counting down before I could finally go home again.

I’m alone, and sick. And I am sick of being alone. Its as though the moment I was born, loneliness would be tied to me always. My throat itches like mad and it hurts every time I cough. It’s been only five days and I’m already falling sick.

Well, wish me luck for yet another day at work.

Day 5

Its almost a week now. Was assigned to the verandah section today. Had to serve some VIP guests today. There’s a free flow of wine and beer today so we had a real busy time trying to serve all the guest at once.

Got to serve the hotel’s new general manager, Mr Marco and a few members of his family. Was a very last minute reservation but I had hoped to make a good impression.

Cleared the tables and ran around trying to find last minute table setting.

Am tired and extremely exhausted.

Day 4

Day 4:

Had just ended this morning too. Was assigned to Tigran section today. It was tough, having to go through small corners to collect plates and refilling the water.

I wiped the cutleries and fold linen to be placed on the table.

Other than that, it’s the same old routine of clearing the plates and refilling water. I had to direct some people to the buffet area and carry out special requests.

Day 3

Came back this morning from work at about 1.00a.m.

Was mad tired and my legs felt like they were on fire. I just realised that I lost my badge because I forgot to take it out yesterday. Damn !

I chipped a glass yesterday. Slammed down the glasses too hard on each other. Will try to take things slow today, and if I rush, I will definately lose my focus and all sorts of things will happen.

Tired and sleepy, but I’m more aware of how Sarkies operate now. I have until 22 of January until I move to the next restaurant. I can’t wait for a change even though I haven’t even gone through my first week yet, let alone two more weeks.

Time seems to past so slowly at work when I wait for the guest to eat. Clearing their plates an refilling their glasses over and over again.

I have so many worries on my hands right now. Though they can be quite petty, they’re still things worth worrying about. I’m new and I should not make any mistakes now. I carry the name Taylor’s and I swore to make it proud.

Day 3:

which for now is considered as yesterday already. Was assigned to the verandah today. Had a short training on how to change ashtrays for guest.

After that, we started our job and expected 220 pax to arrive today. After setting the tables, we went of for dinner and back again to work.

Served guest and cleared tables again.

Left at 12a.m.   

Was a very productive day.

Will blog again tomorrow when I’m not so tired.

day one, day one

Day 1:

Entered the hotel at 8 something in the morning and waited for the Human Resource Department to open. After that, we were assigned our lockers and shifts, and from which period, we are to work in different department. But for my case, it’s a different restaurant.

We changed and got to our respective places to work. For the first day, I was assigned to work at the Tigran section, which is the banquet section in Sarkies Corner. I had to run around clearing plates, and setting the table. After awhile, I was called to the back lane to help my friend with wiping the dishes.

When it got busier outside, I abandoned my dish cleaning job and went outside to serve the guests.

After that, the lunch service ended and we had a shirt training of how to greet the guest. Followed by a short briefing on today and updates regarding the menu and prices. The restaurant manager of the day took us around the hotel and explained to us a short history of E&O.

Day 2:

Came in early in the morning. Was assigned to Arshak today, which is another part of Sarkies Corner. During the morning buffet, there weren’t many people inside the coffee house, so I was assigned to go out on the verandah and serve the guests there. There were a lot of people coming and going and the clearing had to be done quick so that the new setting can be placed for the next guest. Served coffee and tea to the guests and cleared all the dirty plates away.

Was a very busy morning.

After that, I went back to Arshak section to man my own station. Again with the same thing, clearing and replenishing the water. After awhile I had to help out with replenishing the sugar bowl and salt and pepper.

When it was almost 3 o’clock, guests started leaving and was prepared for the dinner service.

 

 

 

 

 

to sum everything up. was a long long day today. Will finally post up all the pictures when I have the time. till then. my diary entry ends.