Day II-Getting Into the Routine

I woke up tired again because I'm still not adjusted to everything yet. I craved coffee from the second I woke up but fought it. I don't want to get how I used to during finals week & am trying to do things to increase my natural energy levels. I knew at some point I would want something, but I decided against it first thing in the morning; since I hadn't had coffee regularly in awhile I knew it would really wake me up but once it wore off I'd be sleepy. My tio (uncle in Spanish, it is getting weird for me to write "uncle") diligently knocked on my door at 7:03am. I rolled out of bed about 10mins later to my alarm clock. While I was walking to the bathroom, he told me he made pancakes and turkey bacon. Though I'm not one to eat food so early, I knew I should. It would wake me up and keep me full for longer. So after waking myself with my normal a.m. bathroom routine I sat down.

My cousin gave me a big bag to carry all my stuff down to work. It was stuffed with everything I might need for the day...lotion, snacks, a winter hat, etc. I figured out my outfit and then took part of it off and also put it in my bag. It is common here to change at work and wear w/e you need to wear to stay warm until you get there. We were off around 8:15am. My tio drove me to the closest train stop because he had to go to work nearbye, which was great because it saved me a bus trip and a longer commute. It was the first time I went to work completely on my own. He made me repeat my route just in case I forgot. I caught the train around 8:45am and read Marley & Me almost the whole way (great book, I recommend it...I have a very "special" dog too).

I got to Broadway and Prince around 9:40am, 20mins early, so I decided to check out Dean & Deluca. When I walked in, it dawned on me that this was the same company I used to see on Felicity. I chuckled because I never knew it was a real company...guess I never made the connection. I decided against coffee again and decided to just go in a little early and get settled. When I got to our suite, a girl was sitting on one of the window ledges by the door. I asked her if she was waiting to go in and she said she was going to go in but wasn't waiting. I introduced myself and asked if she was an intern. She said yes and went back on to fiddling with her phone. She was not as nice as the intern I met on my first day.

My "supervisor's" per say were not there yet. Jane, the PR person, advised me that they are usually a little late. I figured it would look good that I was there early, so I just waited until they got there. I tried to strike up conversation with the other intern all day, but she was just not that friendly. The most I got was that she was from Maryland, started right before the holidays, and was already bored with the internship. Bored? Why would you admit that...I figured it would be better for me because her lack of interest was noticable. This is a business of getting ahead and standing out, and even if I had a menial task I was commiteed to doing it the best it could be done and with a smile on my face. People notice those kind of things. Intiative it key.

For example: My first task was to steam some of the showroom clothes. I have never steamed anything in my entire life (aside from hanging up clothes in the bathroom while I take a hot shower, but I'm sure that doesn't count), but I never told them that. I let them show me how to use the steamer and how they suggested I do it. So I just copied them and took my time. They told me it was best to go from the inside, which I did for the most part, until I would burn my fingers. Then I would just do the outside. The other intern played with her phone while I was doing this and flipping through a magazine. While I was finishing, some of the employees came in again with Starbucks. I knew I was in trouble...I asked them where the Starbucks was for future reference and they told me it was off Spring Street. I quickly went through my memory of last trip around the area and knew it was nearbye, just not sure in what direction. They said because I was done and they needed about 20mins to get me set up, I could go grab some. I knew I had money on my giftcard and finally gave in to my need for caffeine. Of course, I went one block in the wrong direction and got lucky in guessing which way to go once I got to Spring Street.

Once I got back, they asked me to merchandise the bag and Pointer display and dust it. I climbed up on stool and took my time in figuring out the best way the bags would look. Then I dusted the little shelves/cubicles the shoes were in and made sure they were all facing the right direction. At that time buyers came in, so once I was done I hung in the office until they were finished. I also had a conversation with the PR girl and told her about how I got here/what I've done. She asked me some questions about my interests etc., and told me if I had any questions about anything she could help. My next task took me the majority of the day, literally. All the brand appointment folders were not complete; some were missing forms, other buiness cards, etc. Sonia asked me to make sure each brand had around 20-25 prepared folders. Obviously upon observation, I noticed a ton of discrepancies in forms and consistency. So I pointed them out...I did not finish the whole project until around 4:15pm but they were very thankful for my attention to detail. (We ordered in luch from this place called Lite Delights with great prices. I got a HUGE tuna melt that I couldn't finish and brought home for $4 and change. I did forget that coffee and tuna are not the best things to mix in the same day & I suffered stomach cramps for doing it) A few times they thanked me for pointing things out and asking them what I should do about certain things I noticed. My fingers were hurting & I hoped I could do something not having to do with paper onceI finished...but of course I did. Next came preparing mail outs like I had before with order forms and line sheets. The printer ran out of paper (which I was a bit relieved about), so I didn't have to stuff all the envelopes. I was free to go right at 6pm. The coffee had definitely worn off about an hour before.

Then back on the train to the Bronx where tio picked me up from the station. Luckily I did not have to work the next day and would have a chance to catch up on missed sleep/rest, which is exactly what I did. =)