Internship Daily Journals
Semen Kahsai
Internship Journals
2-7-11 – 2-11-11
Around early February of 2011 I decided to work on my internship at the Zeni restaurant in Fremont, CA. I received the internship through my aunt who is the owner of the small local restaurant. While working here I learned to manage my time, and that attitude is the most important aspect in the restaurant business.
Day 1
Hours: 6
2-7-11
I had arrived to the Zeni restaurant around 5pm, I wore black pants and a white v-neck as asked. My aunt the supervisor gave me a list of things to do and of course I am not looking forward to cleaning after others, I am not used to being told to do things. First I had to light all of the candles on each table because the sun would begin to set, and the restaurant has a dark feel to it. After lighting every darn single candle, I sprayed all the tables and wiped the seats after customers had eaten there dinner. I really didn’t expect it to be so bad, but there are some messy eaters. I HATED cleaning the bathrooms, which was the worst part of working here. The restaurant was really busy for a Monday night, they must have enjoyed the Somosa’s which are my favorite, and I am really not looking forward to the next few days.
Day 2
Hours: 5
2-8-1
Today wasn’t so bad I essentially didn’t have to do much, I was only told to go around to the assigned tables, to take peoples orders. Being a waitress is very enjoyable you meet really nice people who tip you a lot just for taking down there orders, and having a big smile on your face. That night I made $50 in tips, I was really fascinated with how much I got for writing down orders. There was this really nice couple who were really sweet we had small talk and gave me a 20 tip, they were the best customers I had all day. My aunt was super nice that day too, she gave me candy for free!
Day 3
Hours: 6 and 45 min
2-9-11
I arrived late today I missed the Bart train, but I called my boss in advance so she knew I would be running late. I did the same exact things I did yesterday, but there wasn’t much business so I sat behind the kitchen texting my friends until there were customers, but my aunt caught me on the phone so she tool it away and made me clean the floors in the kitchen and wash the dishes there was a ridiculous amount. I began to clean and once I was done, I greeted a family of 4 and brought them to their table, the kids were really annoying and ordering a chicken salad without chicken. At the end of the day my boss told me that I should never ever use my phone while I am work, so she said from now on when I enter the restaurant I have to hand her my phone until the end of the day. When I arrived home I was drained, my arms were sore from washing all of the dishes.
Day 4
Hours: 6
2-10-11
Today I had to serve the customers drinks, and i ended up getting the orders wrong, the people were really nice about it, i think they knew i had no experience. today was a slow day and clumsey day, i was in the back washing dishes and dropped two glass plates. I offered to clean it up but one of the guys didnt want me to accidently cut myself.
I felt bad letting him clean up after me, I wouldn’t want to clean up a mess that anyone else made, but I guess that’s how the restaurant business works now a days. I'm looking forward until tomorrow! It’s my last day!
Day 5
Hours: 6 and 15 min
2-11-12
So today is my last day, I am so excited! My aunt bought me a red velvet cake (my favorite). I was expecting that she would let me lack all day but after eating cake I had to go back to waiting the darn tables. I feel like I have learned a lot from my experience at this temporary job, plus my aunt gave me $100 for the week I have spent there.
Total Hours: 30
In conclusion, I've got the understanding of what the work life is like. I have really learned a lot, like exposing a positive attitude to your customers no matter what situation your in. I gained an understanding of the customers we have and their importance in the restaurant, they are the most important part of the restaurant business we are heavily dependent upon them.
Semen Kahsai
Internship Journals
2-7-11 – 2-11-11
Around early February of 2011 I decided to work on my internship at the Zeni restaurant in Fremont, CA. I received the internship through my aunt who is the owner of the small local restaurant. While working here I learned to manage my time, and that attitude is the most important aspect in the restaurant business.
Day 1
Hours: 6
2-7-11
I had arrived to the Zeni restaurant around 5pm, I wore black pants and a white v-neck as asked. My aunt the supervisor gave me a list of things to do and of course I am not looking forward to cleaning after others, I am not used to being told to do things. First I had to light all of the candles on each table because the sun would begin to set, and the restaurant has a dark feel to it. After lighting every darn single candle, I sprayed all the tables and wiped the seats after customers had eaten there dinner. I really didn’t expect it to be so bad, but there are some messy eaters. I HATED cleaning the bathrooms, which was the worst part of working here. The restaurant was really busy for a Monday night, they must have enjoyed the Somosa’s which are my favorite, and I am really not looking forward to the next few days.
Day 2
Hours: 5
2-8-1
Today wasn’t so bad I essentially didn’t have to do much, I was only told to go around to the assigned tables, to take peoples orders. Being a waitress is very enjoyable you meet really nice people who tip you a lot just for taking down there orders, and having a big smile on your face. That night I made $50 in tips, I was really fascinated with how much I got for writing down orders. There was this really nice couple who were really sweet we had small talk and gave me a 20 tip, they were the best customers I had all day. My aunt was super nice that day too, she gave me candy for free!
Day 3
Hours: 6 and 45 min
2-9-11
I arrived late today I missed the Bart train, but I called my boss in advance so she knew I would be running late. I did the same exact things I did yesterday, but there wasn’t much business so I sat behind the kitchen texting my friends until there were customers, but my aunt caught me on the phone so she tool it away and made me clean the floors in the kitchen and wash the dishes there was a ridiculous amount. I began to clean and once I was done, I greeted a family of 4 and brought them to their table, the kids were really annoying and ordering a chicken salad without chicken. At the end of the day my boss told me that I should never ever use my phone while I am work, so she said from now on when I enter the restaurant I have to hand her my phone until the end of the day. When I arrived home I was drained, my arms were sore from washing all of the dishes.
Day 4
Hours: 6
2-10-11
Today I had to serve the customers drinks, and i ended up getting the orders wrong, the people were really nice about it, i think they knew i had no experience. today was a slow day and clumsey day, i was in the back washing dishes and dropped two glass plates. I offered to clean it up but one of the guys didnt want me to accidently cut myself.
I felt bad letting him clean up after me, I wouldn’t want to clean up a mess that anyone else made, but I guess that’s how the restaurant business works now a days. I'm looking forward until tomorrow! It’s my last day!
Day 5
Hours: 6 and 15 min
2-11-12
So today is my last day, I am so excited! My aunt bought me a red velvet cake (my favorite). I was expecting that she would let me lack all day but after eating cake I had to go back to waiting the darn tables. I feel like I have learned a lot from my experience at this temporary job, plus my aunt gave me $100 for the week I have spent there.
Total Hours: 30
In conclusion, I've got the understanding of what the work life is like. I have really learned a lot, like exposing a positive attitude to your customers no matter what situation your in. I gained an understanding of the customers we have and their importance in the restaurant, they are the most important part of the restaurant business we are heavily dependent upon them.
