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These are some of my coworkers!
They used my phone when I wasn’t looking and filmed a video. They were supposed to take a normal shot but accidentally and mistakenly chose the time-lapse option, so it resulted to this! I never knew about the filming and when they told me about it, I checked my gallery, we saw it, and then laughed about it.
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ALL ABOUT MY LAST DAY
My last day was quite sad but overall a really good day. Unfortunately, my ate Rie was not present at that time, so I left my gift for her at the storage room. I spent the day the same way like how I always did, but we all ate together as I ordered some foods as my way of giving thanks and showing gratitude to all of them. Before I left for my last day, my supervisors surprised me with a gift! They bought me a plant and chocolates, along with a very short message. It was fun and worth remembering, my whole time there, as they all made it memorable for me. I learned so much from all of them. Their ‘chikas’ and ‘kwentos’ about certain things also helped open my eyes to how I should really see the world and how to approach life. They helped me broaden my perspectives on things and overall, made me grow as a person. I will never forget my time there, my time with them, and most especially all that I learned along the way.
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The Nerve Wracking First Weeks of My Immersion
Going into this line of work experience never entered my mind as I do not see myself as somebody who would work at a bakery or places similar to it. I know nothing about this area and thus, I started with zero knowledge on what to do, study, and expect. Stepping into the doors of Victoria Bakery that one morning brought a sense of excitement and a little hints of anxiety as the new environment felt welcoming enough but still quite intimidating.
FIRST DAYS:
On my first day, I was toured around the whole place by one of the two supervisors at that time, named ma’am Robin. She showed and explained every corner, its purpose, and who’s allowed there. There were two areas wherein the staff could stand by, which was the storage room and the staff room located at the basement, outside the main facility. Inside the storage room was a place we all go to for when we need to eat a snack or handle something personal. That is usually the place where we all leave our bags and whatnot. The Staff room though is sort of the main room dedicated to the workers only. Inside that room contains loads of lockers, a mini kitchen, and a small dining area for all of us to eat lunch or spend our break to rest. On that same day, I was also taught the basics, which was knowing all the breads and pastries, what they’re made of, the purpose of certain colors and labels, and the like. I was placed as an assistant at the counter, wherein I helped with packing.
WHAT WE DO AND SOME OF THE THINGS I’VE LEARNED
I took up the same routine for the following days and grew my knowledge on everything overtime. By the second week, I was able to memorize most of the breads and pastries and what they’re made of. In my vacant time when there aren’t many customers around, I sweep the floor, rearrange the stocks of bread displayed to look more pleasing, or help at the kitchen by washing the dishes. My favourite past time when there’s few people to be of services of would be placing brand-label stickers on packages and whatnot. Making the creampuff boxes is also another of the things I enjoyed doing. Often times, I usually look for something I can help with or fix to help pass the time, and it usually came easy as I enjoy moving around and keeping myself busy. Sometimes, I also serve as an assistant to customers, helping them with their inquiries, or with holding and locating their purchases. If there is a shortage of staff at the cafe, I also get to serve people with their orders such as their preheated bread. Restocking usually happens at least twice a day, as the breads usually get sold out most especially at rush hour. So, whenever the delivery truck comes along, we all prepare outside, check the inventory, look for defects, and then restock everything that’s missing on the shelves. I found my job to be amusing and fun due to the fact that everybody’s goal is to cater to people, be of use, and to stay busy by being productive. What I loved about my work there was how everyone had the same tasks and roles, which got me to learn the art of multitasking (Nobody exactly had a specific job to do). Our role usually depended on what is needed at the moment, so if they need a cashier, you become one. If someone needs to stay at the pastries station for the creampuffs and whatnot, then you stay there. Because of my experiences from working there, I was also able to harness my skills in taking initiative, being independent, and possessing efficiency and proficiency with everything. In addition, patience, gentleness, resiliency , and being understanding was also one of the values I improved on, as certain customers tend to not express the best personalities upfront.
ON FOOD AND BREAKS
For lunch, I used to bring my own food, but I then learned about how our chef there cooks for all of us if we pay a small amount of money. This in return, helped me financially , as it was a cheaper and better alternative to ordering my food to be delivered there or the time-consuming process of preparing my meal. For our snack, there is usually a manong who comes to us selling the goods he made. He sold us sopas with a whole egg w d q piece of chicken , turon, burgers, and whatnot for a cheap price. We always get to eat his foods steaming hot as they’re all freshly made, and we are often the first people he sells to.
FUN FACT!
- You can get free food sometimes, depending on a situation. I was able to enjoy this! I got to try out the different flavors of their famous cream puffs, one of their sandwiches from the cafe, one of their chocolate drinks, and lots of their cookies and other sweets.
- I was also told that if I go there very early, I can ask any of the baristas to make me any type of drink for free, although I never took advantage of that, for I was too shy to do so.
MY SCHEDULE
8:00 - 3:00
Monday to Thursday
Often, I did not follow my schedule and would leave at around 5 onwards because I get carried away. I really did have fun working because it kept me busy and productive! I also enjoyed observing and meeting varying people coming from different places on earth. A lot of times, customers tend to share stories about themselves, and such small interactions always makes my day better and a lot more interesting. Seeing familiar faces from regular customers also brings me a small sense of joy (how they always come back). I once stayed until they closed up and it felt fulfilling to end the day and go home tired but happy.
UNIFORM
Top: A White Polo or Polo Shirt
Bottoms: Anything Comfortable but Presentable (no tattered anything)
Shoes: Rubber Shoes or anything comfortable (just not slippers and whatnot)
THE PEOPLE
Honestly, the people were the best part. All the workers share a similar energy and personality which makes everyone get along really easily. The baristas are all funny and energetic individuals. The people who work at the bakery are very talkative and interesting as well. I admire the two supervisors because they have opposite personalities but go along very well. One of them is really witty and naturally funny while the other is sweet and gentle. One of the workers whom I call as my ate Rie became one of my friends. She and I would talk about anything and everything, from stocks and life to religion, beliefs, politics, and other personal matters. She also helps me if I struggle with anything. Overall, everybody is friendly, fun to be around, patient, understanding, and good teachers, and genuinely nice people. They all possess a high amount of street smarts, which I admire.
CONTINUATION
By the end of the second week, I was already able to get the hang of everything. I didn’t rely for constant instructions and started moving on my own. Additionally, I was also able to improve my socializing skills, which is a huge deal for me given the fact that I am introverted and a very shy person. Since I had no choice but to literally talk lots of times, interacting started feeling easy, and I started to not be so nervous and all overtime.
Often, I would go home with something from the institution. I’d usually buy their cookies or pastries for my family to consume. I found the red velvet crinkles and the oatmeal cookies to be some of my favourites. At the cafe, the sandwich with the chorizo was the only thing I’d always order, for the meat tasted so good.
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