Wednesday, January 14, 2009

First Job

Remember reading about famous people in PEOPLE magazines sometimes, how they had a crummy first jobs? Not that I'm having a crummy job... I actually do enjoy it.

I work for a privately owned vending company who had several sites within Sioux Falls and Harrisburg. I basically drive a large van around, praying that I don't get in an accident, and stock machines with pop and snacks.

Just yesterday, I had my first day on my own. It was pretty scary.

For those who know me very well, I am very lousy at giving directions, but I am too stubborn to admit it, because I want to improve that particular quality of myself. Now, with that in mind... vending job has me to remember different sites and have me to drive there.

Um. That is a challenge.

And my challenge starts at 7am.


To establish it better for you, my lovely readers, the weather was very icy (remember that clunky big van?) and cold (hence, 7 layers for me on the top, and few layers on the bottom).

I started my day off to go over to the warehouse. I was welcomed by this:

The tire tracks were my van's when I tried to go up there initially. I took the picture out of sheer frustration and sent it to Jared.



This was my hurdle (along with the snow and icy roads and lacking GPS). I needed to stock the van up with pop and candies so I can continue with my happy route.

I decided to just go ahead and go to different routes and do the best of my abilities.


whine

I went over to one of the stops and tried to remember where their break room were, and the secretary was glancing up at me, wondering what this awkward looking stranger in layers doing in the prestigious office. It was early in the morning, I started telling her that I am from vending company... by gesturing with my checklist from my boss, and doing gestures for pop-drinking and munching on candies.

Needless to say I got this:

So, I typed in my pager with two-layered mittens:

I anmn weituh vbermnsdnfg, wejhereruia uyourt vberasjk vberioionm? (I am with vending, where is your break room?)

Man came in and took pity on me and recongized me when I was with Jared for training, and he gestured me to the break room.

Whew.

Then, an shy geeky guy came up to me, gave me this paper that he typed up and printed out:



"Two additonal machines are in next room. Shall I show where they are?"

I laughed and motioned that I remember where it was, just didn't remember where this first one was. He chuckled painfully, and departed quickly. I wonder if it's because I forgot to wear deodrant?

I did few other stops, then I decided to try the warehouse again.

Same thing, still not plowed yet. Silly me, I thought I would try again to get through.

This was the conclusion.

I looked around frantically for SOMETHING that I can dig out the snow, and I found a metal rake. I went ahead and used it, trying to get the snow out under of the van, behind the tires, etc.

Reverse.

Drive.

Reverse.

Drive.

Reverse.

Drive.

No such luck.

I sucked my ego in, and texted my boss.

"So, I got stuck at warehouse. Grrr. What can I do? I tried getting snow out of the tires area- reverse and drive back and forth- any suggestions?"

He texted me back.

"One minute. The guys is coming to help you."

One of the worker at the storage area came out and shoveled me out. Farmer's daughter in me squirmed, wondering what I can do and what should I do to help. He gestured me to get back in the van and back up.

He pushed a bit and wahla! I am out!

I continued with my remaining stops before my j-term class.


What a first day on my own with my very first job!

1 comment:

  1. Chelsea-- You are hilarious!! You make the normal seem like an adventure :) I love that you are blogging... careful- it can be addicting!

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