I have worked at the potato factory for 2 weeks. I think tomorrow I am going to tell them I will work 2 more, and give them the date of March 15th as the last day I can be scheduled. That way, if someone can come get me Saturday, I will be ready to go back to Adelaide.
I just can't believe how soul sucking the job is. You hold out and hold out waiting for that little bell that means you have 10 measly minutes of rest. Then when you think you can't stand another second, you wait some more. I have discuss with everyone who will listen the idea that they could actually do more potatoes in a day if they split the day into two 8 hours shifts instead of one 12-14.5 hour shift. Also, I have been receiving some grief from reception here about not grape picking. well, they haven't said anything to me directly. This job has made me more agitated and I am waiting for the opportunity to tell someone off. I wish they would say something to me. They want us to work our insane potato job, then pick grapes on our only day off. Well 1) 12-14 hours, 4-5 days a week, is more than a full time job. I am ok with money and things to do, not bored, not in need of other work. 2) When I took the potato job, I was told it was "a couple days a week, to pay your rent, and you can pick on your days off." See #1. 3) Grapes are so unreliable and low paid. I would love to do grapes exclusively, but I still have yet to be paid for the time I first picked two weeks ago. I would not enjoy having to chase down payment every time I worked.
I am disappointed that grapes didn't work out, but I got a taste, and now I am just focused on the money, keeping my head down, and getting through the next 2 weeks. I probably seem antisocial to my group lately, but as an introvert, I have to have my "alone" time to recharge. This job takes everything I have, in energy, in patience, in physical strength. I have to recharge when I get home, in the like hour I have before I go to sleep to get ready for the next day. I don't want to be this way, I just have to.
I don't know how long I am considered "training" as I said today was 2 weeks, but people still treat me like I don't know what I am doing and each supervisor gives me new instructions for each sections I am in. I take deep breaths and think of the paycheck.
This weekend was so nice. I went to Adelaide for Sarah and Emmanuel's engagement party. I caught the train from Elizabeth after following someone from work to it and getting a lift the rest of the way there. I had to wait almost an hour for the train, so I ordered almost everything on the McDonalds menu next door and had dinner while I waited (did I mention this was the day I worked 14 and a half hours?) I texted with Hannah while I waited, a little concerned, since I had heard only bad things about Elizabeth. But I told her I was blending in well with my fluro work vest, covered head to toe in dirt. I finally got home around 9, talked to Roger a minute, took a shower, then collapsed in bed and slept until around 8:30 the next morning. The engagement party was the next day, and it was lovely, in a nice park with lots of trees. I hung out with Marie and Sam the whole time, which was nice to catch up with them. When we got back to the house, I helped Sarah and Emmanuel record all their presents. They really liked mine- I had framed a picture I took of them from Moonta Bay and wrote a message on the back of the frame. Oh, and I gave them some chocolate too, haha. I enjoyed the weekend (and sleeping in my Adelaide bed!) so much, I didn't want to go back to Tanunda. Marie took me back later on Monday, after I had run a couple of errands at TTP.
Deep breaths, deep breaths, 2 weeks, 2 weeks, I can do this.
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