The Old Has Past, A New Season Has Come.

After 6 months and 3 weeks (29 weeks!!), my time in Gloria Jean's Coffees as a part-time barista (or as Winter calls it, a super part-timer) has ended.

And I can almost hear my friends sighing in exasperation in the background, "Finally!"

I totally agree. FINALLY. \o/!

It's not that I don't like my job anymore, that I got tired of it so I started disliking it. Rather, I got tired of it because it was no longer my place to be there. The fact that a new trainee manager stepped in the day after I left just proves it. Even in the most secular of things (and I say this because work got in the way of ministry), God provides mannnn...... power. Hahaha. I must confess, I'm quite proud of the title of super part-timer, which includes the role of an -- albeit de-facto -- trainer and a supervisor, where being a trainer is recognition that you are a good barista and being a supervisor shows that you are able to run the shift and operate the store. Maybe because I was the only other staff around that tided Anson through a serious manpower shortage and I was the only one whom my manager trusted, but then I'm only 19 and they are still willing to use me to such an extent. And I am really grateful for that.

So yes, the chapter of my life in my first real job has ended, and it's flowing very smoothly into the next chapter: Youth Ministry Comm and University.

And what have I gained from GJC? How has it prepared me for the next season?

When Loon asked me why I am in GJC, it really served as a reminder that God had placed me in Anson to equip me to serve Him better, to learn how to socialise with people who start off as familiar strangers that you serve coffee to but evolve into "Hi-Bye" acquaintances who would like to hear about your day and not just talk about their own. Haha a pretty big change for me, considering that 2 years ago I would be terrified if you asked me to make small talk with a stranger. And for the sake of Befrienders, I'm really thankful for this opportunity to put such soft skills into practice.

And looking back on everything, I've learned more about how adults think, how they plan and manage things, and even after years of planning youth camps I was still lacking in the basics as compared to them. Basically, I've built on my management and organising skills. And I got to exercise the role of a leader, making a point to interact with everyone in the team on a one-to-one level at least once a day, not just having a group conversation while doing operations. Especially so with Loon, since group conversations are hard for him. Work also made me a better person, I hope (because I can't tell), working with different kinds of people and re-learning tolerance-with-love and humility. And Auntie Helen is the first elderly person whom I can hold a proper conversation with. I realise that aunties are very nice to talk to, especially when they care so much for you. ^^ Mind you, she's 65. I never could connect with aunties or uncles of that age group, but now I realise that it's just got to be sincere and they'll respond to you and you'll be able to respond to them. I think I can manage my time better now too? Uni will show me whether that's true or not. And work has taught me how to shop for groceries too. Never had to pick and choose tomatoes and onions and milk on my own. xD And another thing I've gained is scars -- many physical scars on my arms and the first calluses on my hands. :P Never got any calluses from holding metal mallets or tilling the ground for hours to get rid of weeds, but I got calluses from mopping the floor because if you don't use strength, the black smudges don't go away. Guys, appreciate the people who clean your house yeah.

And on a deeper level, being so caught up with the demands of work (yes I was aware of what work was taking out of me) gave me a taste of what it's like to not have family time and most of all, God in my life. And speaking to my bosses, whose lives are just filled with work, made me realise that non-Christians don't know what they are missing out on, and it's sad. And for us, we don't realise what a treasure we have until we lose it and feel the need to find it again in order to keep on living in this unbelieving world. People really don't know how great a thing they are missing out on unless they find it and then lose it and then find it again. 

Winter came back to work yesterday so I visited Anson and did my research on CORS modules there. Manz what I miss most is being a barista, donning on my apron and steaming up a good jug of milk. ^^ And working seamlessly with my team. :') It feels so good when you work so well with your team to the extent that they know what you want just by looking them in the eye. Yeah the first step to teamwork is communication, but once you hit that level of trust and go beyond, you don't even need to communicate much. During operations, Winter and I use minimal speech with each other and we know what each is counting on the other to do. Loon and I, we wordlessly help each other out if we are in separate stations (eg. Bar, Food, Cold Drinks) and use hand signals if needed. So much so that a regular customer (Kaj) commented that we worked well together. And that I had to repeat what he said for Loon to understand just proved it. And Loon that guy, just had to ask Kaj, "So, do you think we should get married?" And Kaj said, "Well, you have to ask her. But I'll put in a good word for you." -.- Haha nay, Loon is just my trusted bro-in-Christ. Bro-zoned, sad to say. :P Couldn't throw my apron into the laundry basket without feeling sooo tempted to wear it for one last time. And I didn't. 

I'll still visit Anson from time to time I guess, since it's so near to school, just 6 stops away from Buona Vista. I love sitting at the tables at the glass walls, like those Western cafes where you take the window seat and stare out at the streets as though those walking past can't see you. It's just that the only power point there is below the reading corner and if you move it out it might block the walkway. But being surrounded by people in formal wear and talking business creates a conducive atmosphere for studying hahaha. AND it's less crowded than Bishan's new Starbucks. The green monster, Vivian calls it. Heehee. 

Still need to say my farewells to the Plaza team and what's left of the Katong team aka Gurvinder, and he's not even an original Katong team member. 

Then, it's Uni and VCF and SOC for the next year or so. Uni is gonna be such a blessing. :D Thirst for knowledge is coming back~ I'm a Life Science major but now all I can think of is my dream Sociology mod next sem. :D