For the last 4 months, I have worked two jobs.
From 1300, I am a Customer Service Executive moving and ensuring that tons and tons of dairy produce reaches my designated list of customers with as little fuss as possible. I am in the center of an elaborate yet startling simple process that takes the milk from the Cow and delivers it to the customers all around the world!
I do this from 1300 to 2200.
And for 4 nights a week, I stroll some 60 meters to The Quadrant Hotel where I am a concierge. The first point of contact for guests arriving to the hotel. A warm smile, a helping hand with the luggage and ensuring the first impression of the hotel is one of warmth and professionalism. I am also on hand for their every request and try my best to ensure it is granted. This I do from 2230 till 0630 the next morning.
It's been fun while it lasted... no thats not true... it hasnt been fun. It has been extremely hard! I have hated the fact that I stay up those nights and I'm invariably tired after sleeping only 5 hours a day 4 days in a row! I hate the fact that in the last 4 months I have not been giving the 110% that I want to give to Fonterra. But it WAS necessary. Paying off my hospital bill AND being able to afford my trip to Nigeria for my brother's wedding wasnt going to happen with me sitting on my ass.
Has it been worth it?
You bet it has! I went shopping this morning Monday before I resumed at work and I have a slight indication of how this activity could actually be a panacea for certain individuals who do it so compulsively. There is an euphoria of acquiring new stuff and it is made doubly so for me that I am able to acquire these things from MY hard-earned money. ("hard-earned" takes on a whole new meaning for me) I have been able to afford my not-so-inexpensive ticket (return) to Lagos, I have been able to get small token gifts for my friends and loved ones and I have some spending money to take with me to Lagos.
There was a time I thought I wouldnt make it but now I have. I did this for four short months. There are people who do this kind of stuff with no end in sight. And they do it for 'nobler' reasons than mine. Single mothers all over the world. Low income families... 'Nuff respect to them!
I am standing behind the desk now in the hotel lobby now, writing this post. It is my absolute last night here. At least as a member of staff. There is funky music playing on the lobby speakers, the street outside is deserted as it is 02:40am. The phone hasnt rang in the last hour and I am thinking, "Would I do this all over again?"
An academic exercise perhaps... but I HAVE done it. It adds a richness and scope to my personal book of life.
But I am glad it is over.
Lagos here I come in 6 days!
3 comments:
inspiring stuff dude...well done and hats off to you...
enjoy the trip back home mate:)
Ladajay, U never always sieze to amaze and inspire me....
Have a nice trip back to naija( Eko Ile?
Somehow, home has been gradually reduced to the place where I return to sleep. The other 18 hours of my day are spent in buses or in my chair at the office... but that's in my own country... you're way over on the other side of the world!! Man - you're a legend!!
But hey - i know its for a reason.. life without challenges is boring innit!? :)
P.s. to post on the main page - just mail dody and he'll open up permission by adding your blogger account as a member of nomadlife's main page. dody(at)nomadlife(dot)org (i think)
Post a Comment