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Day Six, A bidding goodbye

Hey guys,

Although this post comes slightly late in the week, last Wednesday was day six of my work experience, the last of my transition year course. It's great to be finishing a year full of new experiences and friendships, but it was sad to leave the café that I had come to every Wednesday and thoroughly enjoyed being at. Here's what I got up to on my very last day of work experience ever.

Myself and Eimear arrived at our usual time, holding a box of chocolates and a thank-you card for everyone at the café. They all loved it and were so surprised that we had gotten them anything at all, but of course we wanted to give them something that conveyed how thankful we were for the past few weeks.

We then continued on with our daily routines, working together for the first time at the grab & go counter, and really getting the swing of how to run things, we both felt like we really belonged and it seemed as though we had been there MONTHS! Our day came to an abrupt end, and we had to bid farewell. They were so kind and gave us two cakes of our choice before we left for home at 5:00pm. I wish I could have stayed longer.

So that's the end of transition year work experience, and posts on this blog. I hope I have been a good diary writer of all the things work experience has taught me, and I hope that whoever read anything enjoyed doing so. It is so strange to now leave behind a project I have been continuously working on all year, and that I have become exceedingly interested in each week.

Goodbye,
Ciara

Day Five

Hey guys,

So as you can probably tell by now, my work experience days are pretty repetitive, and while that might mean you don't enjoy reading about them, it doesn't mean that I don't really enjoy doing them.

So, on my second last week of work experience at the cafe (where has time gone?!) I got started with a new task; cutting bread. 'That's easy' you say, 'done in a jiff' I hear.... WRONG. These are your hardcore meaty loafs of bread that are a task in themselves to slice and dice. I was at it for what must have been the best part of an hour and had almost grown my own pair of pop-eye arm muscles by the time my friend stepped in to finish them off while I had my morning break and time to  rest my sore arms.

I then returned to the grab & go counter where I worked doing this, this, and this until leaving for home at 5:00 pm.

Till next week,
Ciara.

Day four

Hey guys,

As I didn't get up to anything out of the ordinary on day four of my work experience, I thought you might appreciate a few pictures of the type of food they sell here at the cafe, better than nothing! plus, if I have to stare at them all day and refrain, so do you!

So that's a little slice of the cafe that I work at, hope you had a great week and aren't too hungry after seeing these pictures!

Till next week,

Ciara

Day three

Hey guys,

So already day three of my last work experience has passed and I'm already half way through working in the cafe. I know already I'll be sad to leave as I have really enjoyed myself here so far. So, here's what I got up to..

I arrived at 8:50 am with my classmate Eimear, and we went straight to the cloak room to put our bags away. I then got to work on the grab & go counter and worked there for the remainder of the day. The Punchestown races were taking place nearby so the cafe got gradually busier as the day progressed. The cafe goes through a lot of bread, butter, scones & dishes so I continuously stocked up on each when we were running low.

As appearance is always important I made sure to keep the counter as clean as possible. This meant wiping away any spills or crumbs and rearranging any disorderly bread baskets. For lunch I had a delicious pear & vanilla scone and later on in the day I enjoyed a cup of celeriac & fennel soup along side some homemade brown bread, it was all delicious.

It was another great day in the cafe and I continued to come to grips with using the till and what not. At the end of the day Eimear and one of my co-workers managed to play a funny trick on me, so the day was ended on a high. That's all for me from this week,

Till next time,
Ciara

Here are some little snippets of the place i'm working in:

(yes, that is a GIANT easter egg, it weighs the same as 7 and a 1/2 baby elephants!

Day Two

Hey guys,

Yesterday was my second day at work experience in the cafe, and this week I was joined by my friend Eimear. Here's what I got up to..

Eimear and I arrived to work at 8:40am Wednesday morning. We put our coats away in the cloak room and got working in the cafe. I worked at the counter I had been at the previous week and got people coffee, tea, scones, sandwhiches etc. I then broke for my 15 minute morning break and returned to the same task.

I continued to serve customers, getting soup for them and bringing their food to the table when needed. I also stocked up on scones from the bakery throughout the day. I kept the counter looking clean and tidy and brought dishes for wash up regularly. I also stocked up on clean plates, glasses, cups, ice, lemon slices etc.

After lunch I returned back to the same task. I continued on for the next hour and was then taught how to use the till.  It was really confusing at first but I eventually got the hang of it and ran the counter by myself for a little while. As the day came to an end I helped to clean the counter. I wiped down the shelves and counter top and helped to put lemon slices, cream etc away in the fridge. I left for home at 5:00 pm.

Till next week,
Ciara

Day one: work experience no. Three

Hey guys,

Yesterday I started my third work experience which will continue on every Wednesday for the next 6 weeks. Here's what I got up to:

I arrived at 9:50 am, ten minutes early. When I arrived I found the manager. She then introduced me to all the workers and showed me around the cafe. She brought me to the cloak room, lunch room and kitchen. She then brought me over to one of the counters and showed me what to do. I learnt how to make the different types of coffee and tea orders, and how to present them. I got to work taking orders from customers and getting them soup, tea, coffee and the occasional sandwich from the display.

After no time I was sent on my break and met some more workers while in the lunch room. I was told that I am allowed as much food and whatever food I want for lunch from the cafe's selection(yaaay). I got back to work and was called into the kitchen to work with another one of the workers. She got me working cutting up lemons. The kitchen is huge and is full of chefs cooking for the restaurant & cafe. You must wear a net over your hair each time you enter the kitchen for health reasons. I then went back out and continued to work with different girls throughout the day. Everybody was lovely and really friendly with me. I also stocked up on bread when it went low and kept the counter looking neat & tidy. For lunch I grabbed some food from the cafe and spent another 30 minutes in the lunch room, meeting new people.

While pouring soup for one customer I managed to badly burn my hand. I told one of the girls and immediately I was brought a burn treatment for my hand and told to relax in the lunch room for 20 minutes until it went down. They were all lovely about it and it seemed like everybody I talked to had burnt their hand with the soup on their first days too. Nearing the end of the day I helped to clean the outer counters and one of the food fridges. I then finished my day at 5:00 pm. It was a great day and already has been my favourite day of all the work experiences so far.

Till next week,
Ciara

WEEK EIGHT, MY LAST :(

Hey guys,

So, sadly this Wednesday was my last week of work experience in the Spa. It was a great end to a great work experience, so here's what I got up to before I hit the road..

Same old story, I arrived at 8:50am on Wednesday morning. One of my supervisors had recently moved to another spa and there was a new receptionist. We introduced ourselves to eachother and got along very well straight away. It was kind of funny as she had only been working 2 days before hand, so I knew more about the whole place than her!

Throughout the morning I helped to collect old towels, look after clients that were coming in for treatments and get coffees & teas for members. I even got to make myself a hot cup of tea while I manned the receptionist (luckily, nobody rang!). I helped to set up treatment rooms, restock & light candles.. without burning any of my fingers!

I then had my lunch and made a d.e.-licious hot chocolate with steamed milk. Afterwards I helped to fold towels, continued to collect used ones, and stock up the drinks cabinet. I also learnt how to make mud for a 'rasul' treatment. (this is when you cover yourself in mud and sit in a sauna for 20 minutes until a sudden warm shower of water washed it all away)

 Here's the fun part.. My supervisors later returned and gave me a beautiful card and box of thorntons chocolates! If that wasn't enough, they also gave me a FREE rasul treatment! It was lovely, and SUCH a nice thing for them to do! After the treatment I gave them my small parting gift of flowers and a card. I really enjoyed my time at the spa, and everybody was so nice, I wish I could go back!



Week Seven

Hey guys,

So it's ALREADY week seven of work experience at the Spa and today was a great one. Here's what I got up to..

Again, I arrived at 8:50am and got to work cleaning up the pool area. I straightened out the lounging chairs, swept away the leaves (from the OUTDOOR JACUZZI!) and emptied the bins. I was then given a great little device (it opens closed lockers) and was told to clean out the womens lockers. I then restocked on new towels and folded some to make a pyramid of towels for the front desk.

As there were no treatments taking place I mopped the treatment area and replaced burnt-out candles for treatments later on. I then straightened out the Relaxation room ( a room where clients go to relax before/after a treatment) and stocked up on water bottles, fruit and glasses. I then helped one of my supervisors to set up the 'Rasul' room for an incoming client.

The Rasul room is a treatment room in which the client is covered in a herbal mud-like mixture and sat in a steam room until a sudden showering of water washes it all away. The purpose of it all is to open the pores and give your skin a great exfoliation to leave it smooth as a baby's ...

I was given an early lunch during which I chatted to my supervisors and drank a complimentary cup of tea. After this I lit the candles in the treatment areas for the treatment taking place then at 2:00pm. I then stocked up on MORE towels and folded smaller towels for the gym. Afterwards I left for home, looking forward to my next week in the spa.

Till then,
Ciara

Week Six

Hey guys,

After my week off I got straight back to work in the Spa. Here's what I got up to on my 6th day of work experience:

I arrived on time to work experience at 8:50am. The first thing I did was collect dirty towels from the dressing rooms and fold new towels. I hoovered the reception/door area and mopped the treatment area. Afterwards, I was put on reception duty from 10:30am until 12:00pm but recieved very few calls.

During this time I also collected   &folded more towels and restocked the tea/coffee station. I also made 2 coffees for clients. I broke for lunch at 12:30pm and finished at 1:05pm.

After lunch I lit candles in the treatment hallway and the relaxation room for coming guests. I also straightened up the pool area and again collected & folded towels. I mopped the floor in the ash suite and left for home at 3:00pm.

Till Next week,
Ciara

Maybe I should make this out of the towels next week?



Week Five

Hey guys,

This week comes as my last week of work experience before my 1 week long midterm holiday. Here's what I got up to..


 I arrived 10 minutes early at a time of 8:50 am this Wednesday morning and got to work unloading dirty towels and restocking the reception area with new towels. I then restocked the gym with new towels and lit candles in the anticipation room and different treatment rooms clients would be using later in the day.

Afterward I checked the changing rooms for old towels and put them in the storage room to be washed. I then hoovered and mopped the reception area and folded more towels for clients to use throughout the morning. At 1:00 pm I sat in the kitchen and ate my lunch with two other members of staff. I am given 1 hour for my lunch time but as I usually do not use it all I get back to work at about 1:30 pm each day.
Today was no different and after lunch I was put on reception duty as I had been throughout the day for shorter periods of time than last week.

 I came across a problem whereby all of my supervisors were either gone or on treatments when a woman was looking to pay for the treatment she'd received earlier that day via laser card. I was unable to to assist her and sought help from one of the salon workers. 

She kindly called my supervisor and upon failing to reach anything but an answering machine left a message to explain the situation. In the end the client left me her name, address and number and later paid over the phone. Problem averted! 

 Later that day I assisted another one of my supervisors in filling up oil bottles and setting up rooms for treatments. I also blew out the candles from that morning and replaced old ones with new as there would be no more clients for the rest of the day. I also restocked the reception area and fridges with tea, sugar, and water. I was free to go home at 3:00 pm.

Till next week,
Ciara

Week Four

Hey guys,

The following is what I got up to this week of work experience. It's not very long as I was on reception duty most of the day which consisted of recurring phone calls and client requests..


On day four, from 9:00am until 1:00pm I was given huge responsibility and was left to man the reception area. This involved me answering phone calls, taking messages and dealing with incoming and outgoing clients. During this time I encountered some problems, complaints regarding a broken hot tub or queries that I didn't know the answer to. But, luckily I managed and all problems were solved.

After lunch I lit candles and prepared 'the ash suite' for incoming clients. I also hoovered and mopped down the reception area and changing rooms. Throughout the day I folded towels and collected & disposed of old/used ones. I was free to go home at 3:10pm.

Till next week,
Ciara

Week Three

Hey guys,

I arrived nice and early at a time of 8:45am to my third day of work experience at the spa. Here's what I got up to throughout the course of the day..

Firstly, I hoovered the Gym and wiped down all machinery, mirrors and glass. I then hoovered out the one of the treatment rooms, called 'the relaxation room' and neatened it up. I restocked the room with glasses and candles. Afterwards I mopped the treatment area and stocked up the Gym's water machine with cups.

After lunch I Hoovered and mopped the reception area. I also helped to maintain the reception area by stocking up the coffee & tea station and washing some dishes in the staff kitchen. Throughout the day I interacted with the customers, getting them towels and assisting them with any help they needed. It was a quiet day at the Spa as no treatments were taking place.

That's all for this week,
Ciara

Week Twoooooo

Hey guys,

So this week I returned to the fabulous spa for my second day of work experience.  It provides swimming facilities, treatment rooms for waxing, massages and day spa packages. There is also a Gym, Pilates room, and a hairdressers. Personal training and swimming lessons are also provided in the Spa.

I began day two of work experience at an earlier time of 9 o clock. My first job was to hoover the gym and wipe down the machines. When I finished I lit candles in the relaxation room and got another treatment room ready for a client. Afterwards, I was shown how the reception area works. I was shown how to book appointments and deal with payments and clients when they arrived. I then wiped down the glass and mirrors in the Gym.

Throughout the day I collected towels from the changing rooms and other areas. I brought these to a back room and replaced them with packages of fresh towels. I then folded these and stocked up the reception desk regularly. I cleaned up the pool area, neatening relaxation chairs and sweeping up the leaves that had blown in from the outdoor JACUZZI area! 

Lunch:
At 1:00pm I had my lunch. A staff kitchen is provided for the staff although that was closed this week so I ate in the staff kitchen at reception with one of my supervisors. We get along very well and I learnt about the college courses and degrees needed for this kind of job. When lunch was over I was introduced to another one of my main supervisors, Rob. He is qualified in giving treatments and personal training.

From 2:00pm until 3:00pm I was left to man the reception desk. This was a huge responsibility and my supervisors counted on me as they dealt with treatments. During this time, I answered phone calls, made coffees for clients, took down messages and dealt with payments. I also washed dishes and cleared tables. My supervisors returned and I was free to go at 3:10 pm.
 Day two of my work experience at the Spa was no less enjoyable than the last and I am eager to return in a weeks time!

New Day, New place

Hey guys,

This week I started my second placement of work experience. This placement will be slightly shorter than the last, continuing for 8 weeks, rather than 10. I started my day off at a later start, making my way in to my new work place for a lovely time of 10am. I met up with the Hotel's Human Resources manager in her office and recieved a uniform. I was then brought over to the Spa and introduced to the staff.

The spa is beautiful, and I can't wait to spend the next 8 weeks working there. The whole staff was lovely and they took time to show me around the spa rooms and the accompanying gym and pool areas. I was shown a beautiful spa room called 'the suite room' which was fitted with massage tables, a jacuzzi AND it's very own sauna, talk about luxury. I spent my morning folding towels, and helping out with the general upkeep of the rooms.

 



At 1 o clock we broke for lunch and I was brought to the staff cafeteria for my 1 hour break. After eating bucket loads of food and reclining for the hour, we headed back to the spa. During this time I helped one of my supervisors to clean out the treatment rooms which included cleaning out a seaweed bath and setting up massage tables. Before I knew it, 3 o clock had arrived and it was time for me to go.

I thoroughly enjoyed my day in the spa and CANNOT WAIT to go back there again next week.

Till then,
Ciara