Já: First Three Days of Internship


First Day

Woke up with the mainstream feeling of entering new chapter in life. Brighten up the day with Tame Impala's album while on the jeepney. I went to the office feeling amazed at how I managed to be there more than 15 minutes earlier.

Without the assurance of getting a lab gown, I paced through the entrance with long strides. I saw my "from this day onward" workmates came out the door and exchanged greetings. Luckily, at exactly 12pm, my senior QA lend me a lab gown. I acclaimed 
her generosity.

I was oriented verbally. Once I've entered the workplace, there's a sudden spine-chilling sensation on the scene. A good one. Never been there but I felt belongingness. A rush of blood to the head (A Coldplay fan here).

A fellow intern (Hazel Cruz) who started a week ahead of us (Me and Angel Chan) welcomed and introduced me to the commissary and to all the people working. As usual, I can barely remember the names. Only 7-10 names and face and I'm seeing colors. Anyways, seeing the whole system filled me with delight as I was told to observe. 

I find it challenging being a Quality assurance officer intern at his first day. Truly, it is a different dimension from theoretical. I kept a chant "I'll get used to it" on my mind.

I continued to observe and circled the whole plant. I still can't believe I'm "working" here. 

Since it was my first day, my QA trainer allowed me to go before 9pm. I don't know exactly what to feel. Being happy because I'll get home early or sad because it's over for the day.

I ate heated lasagna and discarded trials of puff pastry treat given by our QA officer, Kenneth. I left the office with a full tummy.

At the end of the day, I pondered the benefits and pros as I watched the Cubao buses paved their way through the busy roads of EDSA. It gave me a lasting sense of euphoria.



Second Day

I signed the sheet with my name on it at 11:55 am. Last song Syndrome is on Panic at the Disco's Victorious as I walked into the commissary hall with my haircap, facemask and newly washed lab gown on.

A room full of briskly walking, baking, rolling and kneading men was the first scenery. I was told to line-check the bakery section. There I saw 4-5 guys making a batch of Pandesal with tuna filling. On the right were some enormous machines to make the work accurate and quick. I went there looking clueless.

To perfectly start to remember names and their faces, I started with a couple of questions. I was glad that they are answering nicely. I continued interrogating lightly as I examine their personalities. I am struck by the way the bakery products are made. Three names I can remember: Romy, Kamir, Joel.

The clock's short hand pointed at three when Angel and I decided to explore the whole commissary. I could say that somehow, I've memorized the place. 

I find it great to wander around inside those walk-in chillers. 
Find it appetizing at the gourmet section.
Find it artsy at the confectionery and cakes.
Technical at baking section.

Hazel lend me her mug to try the coffee machine. It was a wrong move to bring it on the line as i was checking on Angel. Another bad move, we tried to do the cakes.

After I finished the coffee, I just got back to work and continue being a QA.

The shift ended and before I went outside, our QA officer (Kenneth) offered to try taste cake. I left the office again with a full tummy.

The commute was fine with Coldplay's A Head full of Dreams Album with the moment of thinking new strategy of doing my work efficiently.



Third Day

I didn't crush it to make the ends meet. I am 9 minutes late at the shift of 10am. I guess the timeline's not the same when it's 12nn.

I am "quite" used to the routine, so I brought my own tumbler for the coffee and tea.

Something new today is the receiving of raw materials. We were taught to, obviously, receive products and reject some that didn't meet the standard. Products were Cucumbers, Onions, Tomatoes and Nitrogen packed Romaine Lettuce from two different 
suppliers.

A little lecture while we check the goods was taught by Ms. E. Leaving a remarkable saying "Too much analysis is paralysis." We also learned how to check, examine and sign the goods and proof of reception.

At break, we went to the pantry and ate our pack lunch together with other workers. A great time indeed.

Standing and walking around the working place with a black leather shoes made my feet do its silent protests. As I do the line-checking, asking and correcting the norm, i found myself wanting to sit for a while and take a milk tea.

The shift ended with new realizations.

I was told to bring my journal. So this part is journal-ception.

I signed out to the guard 30 minutes after my shift and rode a jeepney with my favorite playlist.

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Just to fill in my blog because internship is a thing.
Internship duration: 11/25/16 - 02/29/17





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