It has been a wonderful adventure, this past week. When I first went to look for a place to do work experience, I had been aiming to work at a bakery, where I could learn how to bake beautiful cakes. However, it didn't go according to plan and I ended up working at Miami Ice instead. At first, I dreaded it. I was so afraid I would break something or do something wrong or that they would find me a nusiance.

The first day: I was absolutely frightened. I wasn't exaggerating when I said I was hardly able to breathe. The butterflies in my stomach were unbearable and I was shell-shocked. Walking towards the cafe was so scary. But once I got there, everything sort of patted out. I met Mark, the bigger boss of the partnership and Aaron, my supervisor (and the manager of Miami Ice?). Both were nice and I was shown the ropes by Mark. I had come extremely early and my first job for the day was folding napkins. A little later, I met Kirsty, a really nice girl who was a few weeks pregnant, and Bert, the cook, who was also nice. I also met Rachel later on, who was new to Miami but had worked at one of the other cafes. Mark showed us the Dock and the storage area for Miami in Colonnade, in case we were sent there. My day consisted of folding napkins, washing, cleaning and serving. By the end of the day, I was extremely tired and fell straight to sleep as soon as I got home.

Oh before I head on to the next day, I should probably mention that I was a little intimidated by Aaron. He wasn't mean or anything, he was actually really nice. But I don't know why, I was a little scared of him. Lucy thinks that I maybe like him but I'm not too sure. Ever since Lucy put that idea in my mind, I've been constantly contemplating about it and maybe even tricked myself into believing I did but I really don't think I do.

Anyways, Day 2: As usual, I was having a mini-hyperventilating in the morning. I was relieved to see Steph and we ended up having a little chat before we went off in opposite directions. I met Steph, another really nice girl and Jonathan, a work experience person like me, except he had been there for quite some time. It was the same as usual. Oohh..i got to learn how to make a milkshake though...(it was either day 2 or day 3).

I was sent to Sul Ponte on Day 2 as well. it was there that I met Sevy, the funny, kind and lovely manager of Sul Ponte, Nicole, a really cool, sweet girl with the nicest blue eyes that I have ever seen and Matt, the funny, quirky cook who sings as he cooks in the back. It was here that I actually began to like my work experience a whole lot more. The environment was great and I really felt as if I was a part of something. And though there were a few cons such as the fact that it was mostly a smoking area and there were teenage customers ( i can't handle them well), it was thoroughly enjoyable. I secretly rejoiced everytime Aaron sent me off to Sul Ponte. Hehe. I finished Day 2 at Sul Ponte before heading home and falling asleep.

Day 3: I met Sam, a nice guy..though i didn't really talk to him much (i don't think he really liked me much..just thought of me as a helper..but that's just my assumption) and Todd, another barista who is actually pretty nice behind a scary looking exterior. It was another hectic day, filled with lots of washing and cleaning and serving.

At Sul Ponte, I met Donny, a really nice guy and Nathan, a cool dude who played nice R&B and hip-hop music in the kitchen area. Haha..i was so tempted to start swaying to the music when no one was around as I was washing up inside, but I refrained myself. I ended a little late on Day 3 as I was helping Steph and Aaron clean up at Miami but that was alright.

Day 4: I met Chole today. Coincidentally, she is the same girl I knew from primary school. And she remembered me! Haha..it was interesting. Thursday was a surprisingly busy day and there were so many dishes to wash. It was so so hectic! I think it may have had something to do with the little staff but maybe not. Bert, Nikki ( a girl who goes to my school) and this other girl came at around 4, which made me assume that on Thursdays the cafe opens later.

I didn't think I was going to Sul Ponte that day, but Aaron surprised me by telling me I was going there to work for my last hour. At Sul Ponte, I met Sarah, a girl who had really big eyes and Tracy, a really friendly girl who I was able to hold a fun conversation with.

Day 5: The last day didn't really feel like the last day at all. I did the normal rountine. Surprisingly, it wasn't as busy as I thought it would be. And we ended up preparing to close a little earlier than usual. I gave Steph the present and thanked her for having me. I then went up to Sul Ponte. It was really close to closing but I ignored that and went under the half closed door :P. I gave Sevy the present. He thanked me for all my help and said they would cherish the present (inside i was wondering how they could cherish chocolate...). He mentioned speaking to Anthony about maybe hiring me but I wasn't too sure if he was serious.

All in all, work experience has been an absolutely thrilling journey and has really opened up my eyes to the big big world out there. I had heaps of fun and learned a lot about work and the hardships and troubles that came with it.

It only hit me today that it was truly over. I think secretly, i was hoping that when i came back today to ask Anthony to help me fill out the report, that he would ask me to work part time. But that didn't happen and while I am going back on Monday to get back the report, I don't think i'm gonna get my hopes up and believe that he may ask me.

I dunno, half of me wants to work. I wanna go work there, especially at Sul Ponte. It has been an absolute pleasure and I seriously wouldn't mind working there. Although i could only probably work in the holidays. But then half of me doesn't want to work coz working signifies the start of independence and I don't know if i'm ready to start being independent. But i think the bigger part of me really wants them to ask me. I do want to work.

I'm sorta sad now after realising that it's all over. While working there, I felt like I really belonged, I was a part of something. I was floating on a cloud above everything and was so extremely happy. But when I realised that it was over, I cam crashing straight down to the ground. I feel lost once more and it is absolutely depressing.

What is it that I want exactly???

~Aurora