-Get into work, put my bag in my locker, change out of my flip flops, walk into the conference center
-Walk around and search for Daniel (pronounced Danielle. He is the Banquet Manager that I shadow).
-Spot Daniel, wave him down, and fall into step next to him.
-Accompany Daniel on his cigarette break
-Walk to an event that is happening and make sure all is well.
-Walk through the back kitchen and get some coffee.
-Stand around while Daniel talks to someone in Hebrew.
-Walk to the office (with Daniel of course) and sit at the desk while he schedules the waiters time for the day.
-Sit there while Daniel argues with other Banquet staff in Hebrew
-Accompany Daniel on his cigarette break.
-Hopefully get another latte
-Check on an event that is happening and help the waiter's bus some tables.
-Walk upstairs to the 11th floor where the boardrooms are to make sure the meetings are going well.
-Ask Daniel what words he is using in Hebrew mean in English.
-Practice saying these words to Daniel.
-Go on lunch break at the cafeteria and eat hummus.
-Walk back down to the conference center to search for Daniel.
-Stand around while Daniel talks to co workers in Hebrew. Sometimes looking at them as if I know what they are saying, sometimes looking around in the distance.
-Wave down Daniel and fall into step next to him (actually behind because I can't walk as fast as he can especially when I am wearing my heels).
-Check on event that is happening and check on set up for other events.
-Accompany Daniel on his cigarette break.
-Walk around with Daniel and stand there while he talks to other staff in Hebrew...or argues in Hebrew.
-Repeat the Hebrew words to Daniel that I tried to learn for the day.
-Check on event with Daniel again.
-Accompany Daniel on his cigarette break.
-Day is over and walk home. Sometimes it is a 4 hour day sometimes it is an 8 hour day, but you get the jist.
Some of the events are extremely boring, some are amazing. Thursday night there was a Georgian wedding. 550+ were coming and they spent $10,000 on vodka alone. I was just there for set up and left before the event started, which went until 5am. I don't even know when or if I want to get married, but seeing this amazing set up made me want to get married right on the spot...or at least become a professional wedding crasher. The dance floor was huge and it lit up different colors--it was like a huge dance dance revolution floor.
Tomorrow I am working from 4pm-12am for an awards dinner for the best wine in Israel. I don't think tomorrow will be much different then my typical breakdown above, except maybe I will be able to add a few different things to my day. Yesterday my "new task" was placing the floral arrangements on the tables and then I fell back into step with Daniel.
As tedious as it can be, and as much I wish I was somewhere else when I am working, and as tough as it is to think about the kind of work I was managing before I came here compared to what I am doing now, I have learned a lot already about the way the banquet staff operates, and it is a great growing experience doing all of this when I can't understand 90% of what people are saying. Stay positive. Stay positive. Stay positive.
Sara, I just sat here and read your bulleted task list to Grant and we laughed pretty hard. I especially love that accompanying Daniel on his cig breaks is part of your task list, and also listening to Daniel speak Hebrew "sometimes staring off into the distance" and trying to repeat to him his own words. Then perhaps you go get a latte, and "fall back into step with Daniel"
ReplyDeleteyou are so funny.
i miss you!