My goodness, what a crazy crazy storm today. Started out a sunny day, then we could see dark clouds amassing in the east, and next thing you know, it sounded like we were under attack. Lightning that looked and then sounded like it was a direct hit, but it wasn't. Hail. Monsoon winds and heavy, heavy rainfall. The sound of it on the core building, with all the windows, was incredible. My inner panic was just about to rise... It lasted maybe ten, fifteen minutes. Let up for about five, then another ten minutes before it cleared up to sunny again.
Another few days left in July...I can hardly believe how the time is flying! Next thing I know, I'll be on my way to Calgary to do baby shopping with Aimee :)
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Sunday, July 27, 2014
End of another week...
The most notable thing this week has definitely been the weather. I'm pretty sure that ever since I've been back, it has rained at least once every day. It's crazy...one minute it's sunny, then a quick cloud blows over and we get either a torrential downpour, or some wicked thunder and lightning. Today the site shut down early and all the day shift workers came back to camp a couple of hours early because of the lightning. Big loud booms around the camp, and it looked pretty windy out too. One thing about it, it's pretty much taken the forest fire hazard level to about zero. Usually workers coming back early from the job site means cranky men, because they are Losing Money. And Money is the reason we are all out here. They'll tell you that first thing in orientation.
I've found this rotation is going by fairly quickly. We had a couple of rooms closed down because of pests (i.e. bedbugs). A few rude guests. More pleasant guests. Some bring us candy :) Dinner today was prime rib with Yorkshire pudding in the main lines, but the wait was so long I went right around it and headed for the "Diner" line (basically your fast food line) and settled for a piece of chicken, a hot dog, a few french fries and some macaroni salad. Oh, and a piece of strawberry rhubarb pie because it was Sunday. I haven't taken advantage of the sundaes on Sundays, however a sundae bar is always set up on Sundays.
I had a couple of day shifts, yesterday and today. It really through off my routine and I didn't make it to the gym at all. Back to the routine tomorrow though!
One more week and I'm off again.
I've found this rotation is going by fairly quickly. We had a couple of rooms closed down because of pests (i.e. bedbugs). A few rude guests. More pleasant guests. Some bring us candy :) Dinner today was prime rib with Yorkshire pudding in the main lines, but the wait was so long I went right around it and headed for the "Diner" line (basically your fast food line) and settled for a piece of chicken, a hot dog, a few french fries and some macaroni salad. Oh, and a piece of strawberry rhubarb pie because it was Sunday. I haven't taken advantage of the sundaes on Sundays, however a sundae bar is always set up on Sundays.
I had a couple of day shifts, yesterday and today. It really through off my routine and I didn't make it to the gym at all. Back to the routine tomorrow though!
One more week and I'm off again.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Hump day...in the real world :)
One week down, two to go.
Well, to report on my fitness objectives, I have been to the gym 6 of the last 7 days. I asked one of the rec coordinators here to help me with a workout plan, and now I have a customized regime to follow. A side benefit to being in the oilsands :)
Someone recently asked me if I get tired, working so many days in a row. I don't. That's the strange thing about this type of life. When Aimee first started out here and was working 19 days in a row, I was aghast! No weekends ever?? No days to sleep in??? But the reality is that you don't have any of the worries or distractions that you do when you're at home, in the "real" world. No cooking, shopping, cleaning, yard work, errands, the commute to work. So you go to work for your ten hours, then you decide if you're going to read, or go to the gym, or watch TV. Not a lot of choices, and I think that's a huge weight lifted off. Now mind you, when you're getting close to the 21 days, you may start to get a little anxious for your days off.
Luckily, I like and get along well with the people I work with. It's good to have a sense of humor, but I believe that anyway, no matter where you are or what you're doing.
You really need a sense of humor with some guests, even though they may not be aware of it, or appreciate it if they are :) We had a guy come to the desk because he had left his key at work. I gave him the options...we could make him a new key for $5, or he could get security to let him into his room for free. He just stared at me, not saying a word. I repeated, in case he hadn't heard me. Still stared. I made a questioning gesture, and he said No, it's not OK. The whole thing escalated with another staff getting involved, a call to the manager (whom he hung up on) and him storming away to the security office to let him in his room. You have to wonder....I have some idea of what these guys earn, and it's a LOT. And $5 is going to turn into that kind of incident? It's got to be funny, for sure.
At first, I didn't think I liked this shift I'm working, which is either 11 am to 9:30 pm or 12 noon to 10:30 pm, but now I find I really like it. I don't have to set an alarm, I can wake up naturally. I go to the gym and there's nobody there. Maybe one or two people at the most. It's a nice rhythm to settle into for me.
Well, to report on my fitness objectives, I have been to the gym 6 of the last 7 days. I asked one of the rec coordinators here to help me with a workout plan, and now I have a customized regime to follow. A side benefit to being in the oilsands :)
Someone recently asked me if I get tired, working so many days in a row. I don't. That's the strange thing about this type of life. When Aimee first started out here and was working 19 days in a row, I was aghast! No weekends ever?? No days to sleep in??? But the reality is that you don't have any of the worries or distractions that you do when you're at home, in the "real" world. No cooking, shopping, cleaning, yard work, errands, the commute to work. So you go to work for your ten hours, then you decide if you're going to read, or go to the gym, or watch TV. Not a lot of choices, and I think that's a huge weight lifted off. Now mind you, when you're getting close to the 21 days, you may start to get a little anxious for your days off.
Luckily, I like and get along well with the people I work with. It's good to have a sense of humor, but I believe that anyway, no matter where you are or what you're doing.
You really need a sense of humor with some guests, even though they may not be aware of it, or appreciate it if they are :) We had a guy come to the desk because he had left his key at work. I gave him the options...we could make him a new key for $5, or he could get security to let him into his room for free. He just stared at me, not saying a word. I repeated, in case he hadn't heard me. Still stared. I made a questioning gesture, and he said No, it's not OK. The whole thing escalated with another staff getting involved, a call to the manager (whom he hung up on) and him storming away to the security office to let him in his room. You have to wonder....I have some idea of what these guys earn, and it's a LOT. And $5 is going to turn into that kind of incident? It's got to be funny, for sure.
At first, I didn't think I liked this shift I'm working, which is either 11 am to 9:30 pm or 12 noon to 10:30 pm, but now I find I really like it. I don't have to set an alarm, I can wake up naturally. I go to the gym and there's nobody there. Maybe one or two people at the most. It's a nice rhythm to settle into for me.
Friday, July 18, 2014
Little things...
Yes, it's the little things that can make or break a person's day.
Little thing #1 - I lost/forgot my hairbrush at home. I think I either left it at the cottage or at Caitlyn's house. Anyway, no brush here at all. Went to the store, they were out of hairbrushes (really?) until Friday afternoon. But wait...just heard that hairbrushes are on back order. Luckily, one of my co-workers could spare a comb until I can get one. Ouch.
Little thing #2 - as another co-worker said...I'd rather deal with some people than BE some people. Yesterday we got an email from the client saying to allow (I'll call him Joe) to move to another room. No explanation, just another room. Not an upgrade, just another room. He happens to come for his room change to my station. Another room. Well, where? What is the problem with your room? He says that he can hear his next door and across the hall neighbor's A/C or fan running and can't sleep. He's been using earplugs and they just aren't cutting it. OK, now, remember, we're in a CAMP. It's SUMMER. Where are you going to get a room that does not have neighbors that use their A/C??? So I'm trying to get out of him where exactly he thinks he should move to. Keep in mind that this camp runs at almost 100% capacity, so there are not a lot of empty rooms at any time. Well, he thought in a dorm on the end, on the side that faces out so doesn't have another dorm on the other side. OK, we get him a room in NP....farthest one out, facing the outside. It's a long way. He drags his stuff with him and leaves with the new key. Comes back ten or fifteen minutes later saying the room would have been ok, but it's right by the smoking pit. (Not a pit that's smoking, but the area where smokers go to smoke). OK, well.....now what? He's looking at me expectantly. Hmm. There's nothing available across the corridor in NO. Now my co-worker is involved and suggests SS or SQ, which are at the complete farthest end away. He tries a room there. Would have been great except the neighbor was playing music loud. We try one facing the gym. Nope, and I forget what that reason was. Mind you, he's running all over with all his stuff with him, and by now he's got sweat dripping off his face and is getting more agitated. In the end, he decided to stay where he was for the night, then see if he could get permission to transfer today, which is not normally granted because its' a fly day, and we have lots of check-ins. Again, rather be dealing with him than be in his head!
Today was Day 1 of Week 1 (for the second time) of Couch to 5K for me! If you don't know, it's an app that I downloaded to my phone of a program to follow to get from being a couch potato to being able to jog 5k. I did day 1 twice because, you know, I'm really sedentary lately. Baby steps. But two days in a row at the gym!! Go me!
Little thing #1 - I lost/forgot my hairbrush at home. I think I either left it at the cottage or at Caitlyn's house. Anyway, no brush here at all. Went to the store, they were out of hairbrushes (really?) until Friday afternoon. But wait...just heard that hairbrushes are on back order. Luckily, one of my co-workers could spare a comb until I can get one. Ouch.
Little thing #2 - as another co-worker said...I'd rather deal with some people than BE some people. Yesterday we got an email from the client saying to allow (I'll call him Joe) to move to another room. No explanation, just another room. Not an upgrade, just another room. He happens to come for his room change to my station. Another room. Well, where? What is the problem with your room? He says that he can hear his next door and across the hall neighbor's A/C or fan running and can't sleep. He's been using earplugs and they just aren't cutting it. OK, now, remember, we're in a CAMP. It's SUMMER. Where are you going to get a room that does not have neighbors that use their A/C??? So I'm trying to get out of him where exactly he thinks he should move to. Keep in mind that this camp runs at almost 100% capacity, so there are not a lot of empty rooms at any time. Well, he thought in a dorm on the end, on the side that faces out so doesn't have another dorm on the other side. OK, we get him a room in NP....farthest one out, facing the outside. It's a long way. He drags his stuff with him and leaves with the new key. Comes back ten or fifteen minutes later saying the room would have been ok, but it's right by the smoking pit. (Not a pit that's smoking, but the area where smokers go to smoke). OK, well.....now what? He's looking at me expectantly. Hmm. There's nothing available across the corridor in NO. Now my co-worker is involved and suggests SS or SQ, which are at the complete farthest end away. He tries a room there. Would have been great except the neighbor was playing music loud. We try one facing the gym. Nope, and I forget what that reason was. Mind you, he's running all over with all his stuff with him, and by now he's got sweat dripping off his face and is getting more agitated. In the end, he decided to stay where he was for the night, then see if he could get permission to transfer today, which is not normally granted because its' a fly day, and we have lots of check-ins. Again, rather be dealing with him than be in his head!
Today was Day 1 of Week 1 (for the second time) of Couch to 5K for me! If you don't know, it's an app that I downloaded to my phone of a program to follow to get from being a couch potato to being able to jog 5k. I did day 1 twice because, you know, I'm really sedentary lately. Baby steps. But two days in a row at the gym!! Go me!
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Camp Life, where every day is a Monday
Until the last day of your rotation. Then it's a Friday. I can't believe how brain-dead I felt today. Granted, I was only here 13 days, and 2 of those days were entirely training, but still...I felt like I had to start all over again.
The weather here is HOT. Forest fires are starting to grow, and there's a big one at Banff National Park. No danger here yet, but I suppose this is a reality in this area with lots and lots of trees, and lots and lots of thunder and lightning storms.
I was checked into the same room I checked out of when I left. So it almost felt like coming home :)
Home away from home, anyway.
I'm really lucky that the AC unit in my room works great; I keep it about meat locker temperature. Which of course I keep to myself when I have someone at the desk complaining that theirs doesn't work and it's unbearably hot in his/her room. And I'm sure it would be. Metal trailers. Full sun. Yep, it would be hot! Cross my fingers that I stay lucky.
Well, first day back and I'm working a full rotation of 11 am - 9:30 pm shifts. I'm a little tired and there really isn't anything to report today, so I'll sign off for now!
The weather here is HOT. Forest fires are starting to grow, and there's a big one at Banff National Park. No danger here yet, but I suppose this is a reality in this area with lots and lots of trees, and lots and lots of thunder and lightning storms.
I was checked into the same room I checked out of when I left. So it almost felt like coming home :)
Home away from home, anyway.
I'm really lucky that the AC unit in my room works great; I keep it about meat locker temperature. Which of course I keep to myself when I have someone at the desk complaining that theirs doesn't work and it's unbearably hot in his/her room. And I'm sure it would be. Metal trailers. Full sun. Yep, it would be hot! Cross my fingers that I stay lucky.
Well, first day back and I'm working a full rotation of 11 am - 9:30 pm shifts. I'm a little tired and there really isn't anything to report today, so I'll sign off for now!
Monday, July 7, 2014
Home tomorrow!
Well, I know it's only been two weeks as of tomorrow, but it did go by very quickly. Please, remind me of this when I'm whining about day 16 when I get back :)
We've had some wicked weather. A couple of nights ago it was a fierce thunderstorm and pounding rain and hail. Yesterday, it was sunny one minute, then about a half hour later again with the pounding rain. Of course, that's played havoc with the WiFi and last night there was a steady stream of guys at the front desk complaining that they had no service. Don't know what to say, as I had service ;)
I've also seen a few people around stealthily snapping pics of the weather, etc. Actually, the day we had the party with the mechanical surf board etc, one of the managers (who has a camera pass) was snapping away, and caught me stuffing food in my mouth not once, but twice. And of course, the slide show is showing on one of the big TVs in the hall. So I get to enjoy that very flattering picture on occasion as I walk by.
Mmm, bread pudding for dessert yesterday. It was a surprise and it did make my day :)
I've given one of the boys that I work with permission to kick my butt to get to the gym everyday. Starting next rotation, of course. We'll see if he follows through. I'm actually enjoying my boy co-workers. Young guys, early (very early) 20's and are quite intelligent and we've had some interesting conversations. They're buddies from the same town, and I find them very entertaining.
I found my iPod, by the way. After checking the lost and found, and whining with a pouty lip stuck out. It was hiding in my backpack. I seriously did empty it out and check out all the corners! Or so I thought, anyway. Now just to rustle up a AAA battery for my headphones and I'll be all set for my flight tomorrow. FlightS. Tomorrow it's an easy one, Fort Mac to Calgary, a one hour layover, then directly to Windsor. Hopefully that one works out for a while. Big planes for both trips, which is good. Yay for Westjet. With Air Canada, there's always a small prop plane in there somewhere. I've got all my flights booked right through October, so I can give that search a rest for a bit.
Well, I hope this weather is good for my days off, and I'll be back a week from today to check in. Have a good week, all!
We've had some wicked weather. A couple of nights ago it was a fierce thunderstorm and pounding rain and hail. Yesterday, it was sunny one minute, then about a half hour later again with the pounding rain. Of course, that's played havoc with the WiFi and last night there was a steady stream of guys at the front desk complaining that they had no service. Don't know what to say, as I had service ;)
I've also seen a few people around stealthily snapping pics of the weather, etc. Actually, the day we had the party with the mechanical surf board etc, one of the managers (who has a camera pass) was snapping away, and caught me stuffing food in my mouth not once, but twice. And of course, the slide show is showing on one of the big TVs in the hall. So I get to enjoy that very flattering picture on occasion as I walk by.
Mmm, bread pudding for dessert yesterday. It was a surprise and it did make my day :)
I've given one of the boys that I work with permission to kick my butt to get to the gym everyday. Starting next rotation, of course. We'll see if he follows through. I'm actually enjoying my boy co-workers. Young guys, early (very early) 20's and are quite intelligent and we've had some interesting conversations. They're buddies from the same town, and I find them very entertaining.
I found my iPod, by the way. After checking the lost and found, and whining with a pouty lip stuck out. It was hiding in my backpack. I seriously did empty it out and check out all the corners! Or so I thought, anyway. Now just to rustle up a AAA battery for my headphones and I'll be all set for my flight tomorrow. FlightS. Tomorrow it's an easy one, Fort Mac to Calgary, a one hour layover, then directly to Windsor. Hopefully that one works out for a while. Big planes for both trips, which is good. Yay for Westjet. With Air Canada, there's always a small prop plane in there somewhere. I've got all my flights booked right through October, so I can give that search a rest for a bit.
Well, I hope this weather is good for my days off, and I'll be back a week from today to check in. Have a good week, all!
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Happy Post-Independence Day!
Another weekend at Surmont. The calm before the Monday storm. And tomorrow is casual day again. And I didn't bring hardly any casual clothes. Oh well, at least I don't have to wear a uniform shirt. I really only have one that fits me, one that's too small to be buttoned up so I wear it over another shirt, and two that are so huge it looks like I'm wearing tents. Maybe I'll just have to do laundry more often.
Have I mentioned that I really enjoy having my own bathroom?? Funny how little things get taken for granted, until we don't have them :)
As I get settled in and more comfortable, and recognize more people, I find I really am enjoying the biggest part of this job, and that's people. You meet the guys that are first timers; and seem uncertain and have a lot of questions about camp life. Then there are the guys that have been around to a few camps and always have comparisons to make, good and bad. You meet the angry complainers, the polite "hate-to-complain-but....and-it's-ok-if-it-doesn't-get-done-today" guys, the friendly guys that just stop by to say hi, or have a little chat when they come to fax or mail something. As anywhere in life, you see the ones with the sense of entitlement, and the ones that drop off a candy whenever he goes by in the hopes of getting a "better" room whenever he checks in. Some guys will come with a litany of everything they found "wrong" in their room, so they don't get blamed for it when they leave, and the others that just want to let you know something was amiss, and it's ok, but maybe the next guy will want it fixed. For the most part, it's good interactions during the day. If there's a bad one, well, we commiserate with each other and make jokes ;)
I've gotten lazy working this 11 am-9:30 pm shift. I keep thinking I'll go to bed as early as I can so I get up early and go to the gym, or get laundry or blogging done. Then I end up lazing around and wasting time before work and tell myself I'll do it after work. Then once I get to my room after work, I don't want to leave it. I have TV! I have internet! I have books! I can't find my iPod though :(
That really makes me sad because I really like to put my headphones on for my entire plane ride. I've lost it before, for about a year, and it turned up, so I'm hoping I'll eventually find it.
Oh, here's a funny. So on Thursdays at 11:30 am, everyone must attend a big safety meeting in the cafeteria. This past Thursday, we got in, signed in, and Carmelo asked who was a fire warden in a fire warden room. We raised our hands. He shuffled us off to one side of the room. Then he told us we were to go back to our rooms and were going to have a fire drill. He said they were going to do it at 11:40. Had to hustle out to get back to our rooms by 11:40. So I put on my vest and my hat and grab my clipboard and wait for the signal. And wait. And wait. And wait. And about ten, then twenty, then thirty minutes go by. I thought back to when I was at Albian, remembering one fire drill that we knew about ahead of time where they couldn't get the alarms to go off. Then I thought, here I am in my room with no phone, I don't have my cell phone on me....how would anyone reach me if there was a problem or anything? I sent an e-mail to PG who stayed back to man the front desk, and couldn't wait any longer. I put the safety things away and headed back to find out what was going on. I see people milling about, going about their business. I see another fire warden, carrying her vest etc. I stopped her and asked what was going on...and she said "we just had a fire drill". But I didn't hear it...what the heck??? She said they didn't actually pull the alarm, we were just supposed to start at 11:40. So there. Epic fail on my first fire drill. And I had to wonder...didn't anyone miss me??? Did they think I just took a nap or something?? Hmm.
Only two more days of work and then I'm heading home for 7. Well, because of my flights, I'm actually only going to BE home for 6 nights, 5 days. Will be nice to have my own bed though, for a couple of those!
Have I mentioned that I really enjoy having my own bathroom?? Funny how little things get taken for granted, until we don't have them :)
As I get settled in and more comfortable, and recognize more people, I find I really am enjoying the biggest part of this job, and that's people. You meet the guys that are first timers; and seem uncertain and have a lot of questions about camp life. Then there are the guys that have been around to a few camps and always have comparisons to make, good and bad. You meet the angry complainers, the polite "hate-to-complain-but....and-it's-ok-if-it-doesn't-get-done-today" guys, the friendly guys that just stop by to say hi, or have a little chat when they come to fax or mail something. As anywhere in life, you see the ones with the sense of entitlement, and the ones that drop off a candy whenever he goes by in the hopes of getting a "better" room whenever he checks in. Some guys will come with a litany of everything they found "wrong" in their room, so they don't get blamed for it when they leave, and the others that just want to let you know something was amiss, and it's ok, but maybe the next guy will want it fixed. For the most part, it's good interactions during the day. If there's a bad one, well, we commiserate with each other and make jokes ;)
I've gotten lazy working this 11 am-9:30 pm shift. I keep thinking I'll go to bed as early as I can so I get up early and go to the gym, or get laundry or blogging done. Then I end up lazing around and wasting time before work and tell myself I'll do it after work. Then once I get to my room after work, I don't want to leave it. I have TV! I have internet! I have books! I can't find my iPod though :(
That really makes me sad because I really like to put my headphones on for my entire plane ride. I've lost it before, for about a year, and it turned up, so I'm hoping I'll eventually find it.
Oh, here's a funny. So on Thursdays at 11:30 am, everyone must attend a big safety meeting in the cafeteria. This past Thursday, we got in, signed in, and Carmelo asked who was a fire warden in a fire warden room. We raised our hands. He shuffled us off to one side of the room. Then he told us we were to go back to our rooms and were going to have a fire drill. He said they were going to do it at 11:40. Had to hustle out to get back to our rooms by 11:40. So I put on my vest and my hat and grab my clipboard and wait for the signal. And wait. And wait. And wait. And about ten, then twenty, then thirty minutes go by. I thought back to when I was at Albian, remembering one fire drill that we knew about ahead of time where they couldn't get the alarms to go off. Then I thought, here I am in my room with no phone, I don't have my cell phone on me....how would anyone reach me if there was a problem or anything? I sent an e-mail to PG who stayed back to man the front desk, and couldn't wait any longer. I put the safety things away and headed back to find out what was going on. I see people milling about, going about their business. I see another fire warden, carrying her vest etc. I stopped her and asked what was going on...and she said "we just had a fire drill". But I didn't hear it...what the heck??? She said they didn't actually pull the alarm, we were just supposed to start at 11:40. So there. Epic fail on my first fire drill. And I had to wonder...didn't anyone miss me??? Did they think I just took a nap or something?? Hmm.
Only two more days of work and then I'm heading home for 7. Well, because of my flights, I'm actually only going to BE home for 6 nights, 5 days. Will be nice to have my own bed though, for a couple of those!
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
A p.s. to today...
So, funny thing happened after my post. I grabbed my ID badged (where I keep my room key) and went to the laundry room to grab my laundry. But I hadn't put my key back so I was locked out of my room. So, had to walk all the way in to the front desk, get a key, quickly throw my laundry in my room and get dressed for work. I was late. Then, a little later, my supervisor asked if I wanted to transfer into a firewarden room inside the building. I wasn't going to, since I only have a week left here, but when she told me the AC was better, I grabbed the chance. My room had been feeling stuffy and hot. So....I went back out to my room, packed up, and moved into the fire warden room in SO. Didn't really get to see it as it was still being cleaned so I just dropped my stuff and ran back to work. When I arrived back at my room after work tonight, I got to fully appreciate my new amenities. A double bed! A hotel-style heat/AC unit that cooled this room down like crazy! A black-out blind that actually darkens the room! A private bathroom! Ok, it was a good day, despite all my running around. :)
Week 1
I've been here a week already! Hard to believe. Oh well, having the time fly by is a good thing.
So, Manic Monday. Well, it wasn't a typical one, I've been told. Instead of having the 700 arrivals within about 2 hours, there were flight delays galore and they trickled in through the evening. It made for a long day though. I worked 7 am - 1 pm, then went back at 5 pm supposed to be until 9 pm, but because of the delays etc, worked until 9:50, took an hour off, then went back at 10:50 for the last two buses and off at 12:30 am. Oh, and today is a holiday. Happy Canada Day!
I was with PG in the conference room checking in the new hires. PG is an old pro, and has a big booming voice, so directed all new hires to the conference room to give me their photo IDs. There is rarely ever a no reservation guest, and with keys all made up ahead of time, and no pen pads to sign, and the ability to check in on a laptop computer, it was great. PG herded them in, I started with the IDs and checking in, he gave the speech, passed out the new hire sign in sheets, and by the time they were finished that, for the most part I had everyone checked in and keys ready. Oh, and guess what, ladies from Albian...if a guest comes in with no reservation, we can put one in and check him in that way for one night, then the company takes care of it from there. The last group was large, 21 at once, so I was a little behind in the check in process, but other than that, the two of us missed all the hustle bustle of the front desk. Cool beans for my first Monday :) And bonus...by the time I got to my room well after midnight, it was pitch dark and conducive to sleep. So, all in all, a good day.
I took a quick shot of the view outside my bunkhouse, looking out towards the lake (don't freak out, Shirley...no identifiers!) but it wasn't a very good one. I'll try again later.
So this morning, being able to wake up without an alarm was nice. I have a couple loads of laundry in, and took a walk one end to the other of the building, and stopped in at the gym and did a little weight work. Baby steps, it's been a long time! I don't think I'll mind this 11am-9:30 pm shift. One drawback though, there are no classes in the gym for the hours that I'm not at work, so that kind of sucks, since I wanted to try yoga and maybe an ab class. Oh well, I'll be on my honor to do some workout every day.
Guess what I was working on yesterday....walkdowns! I never thought I'd ever have to worry about one of those ever again. About my third day here they decide that the front desk audit the walkdowns every day. Sheesh. However, we don't have to do the legwork, only the paperwork. It was good, actually, because I still don't know enough about the tasks that can be done during downtime to keep me busy so I'll take on any of the mundane stuff that nobody likes to do.
While I was typing this, I was eating my breakfast. I brought back a cup of instant oatmeal yesterday, and just put the hot water in (the water cooler/heater is right outside my room). It was great, except for no milk and I forgot to get a spoon. So for the first time ever, I ate my oatmeal with a plastic knife :)
I really wish I could get some comments on here. It's nice to know if someone is reading, and if they have anything to add.
Again, happy Canada day!
So, Manic Monday. Well, it wasn't a typical one, I've been told. Instead of having the 700 arrivals within about 2 hours, there were flight delays galore and they trickled in through the evening. It made for a long day though. I worked 7 am - 1 pm, then went back at 5 pm supposed to be until 9 pm, but because of the delays etc, worked until 9:50, took an hour off, then went back at 10:50 for the last two buses and off at 12:30 am. Oh, and today is a holiday. Happy Canada Day!
I was with PG in the conference room checking in the new hires. PG is an old pro, and has a big booming voice, so directed all new hires to the conference room to give me their photo IDs. There is rarely ever a no reservation guest, and with keys all made up ahead of time, and no pen pads to sign, and the ability to check in on a laptop computer, it was great. PG herded them in, I started with the IDs and checking in, he gave the speech, passed out the new hire sign in sheets, and by the time they were finished that, for the most part I had everyone checked in and keys ready. Oh, and guess what, ladies from Albian...if a guest comes in with no reservation, we can put one in and check him in that way for one night, then the company takes care of it from there. The last group was large, 21 at once, so I was a little behind in the check in process, but other than that, the two of us missed all the hustle bustle of the front desk. Cool beans for my first Monday :) And bonus...by the time I got to my room well after midnight, it was pitch dark and conducive to sleep. So, all in all, a good day.
I took a quick shot of the view outside my bunkhouse, looking out towards the lake (don't freak out, Shirley...no identifiers!) but it wasn't a very good one. I'll try again later.
So this morning, being able to wake up without an alarm was nice. I have a couple loads of laundry in, and took a walk one end to the other of the building, and stopped in at the gym and did a little weight work. Baby steps, it's been a long time! I don't think I'll mind this 11am-9:30 pm shift. One drawback though, there are no classes in the gym for the hours that I'm not at work, so that kind of sucks, since I wanted to try yoga and maybe an ab class. Oh well, I'll be on my honor to do some workout every day.
Guess what I was working on yesterday....walkdowns! I never thought I'd ever have to worry about one of those ever again. About my third day here they decide that the front desk audit the walkdowns every day. Sheesh. However, we don't have to do the legwork, only the paperwork. It was good, actually, because I still don't know enough about the tasks that can be done during downtime to keep me busy so I'll take on any of the mundane stuff that nobody likes to do.
While I was typing this, I was eating my breakfast. I brought back a cup of instant oatmeal yesterday, and just put the hot water in (the water cooler/heater is right outside my room). It was great, except for no milk and I forgot to get a spoon. So for the first time ever, I ate my oatmeal with a plastic knife :)
I really wish I could get some comments on here. It's nice to know if someone is reading, and if they have anything to add.
Again, happy Canada day!
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