movie boy

td check: 11:15 pm, march 13

when i was still in the philippines, i used to go around malls to watch movies with my friends. i would buy the tickets, go to the line to get snacks like popcorn, find good seats (if there still are), and enjoy the movie. and when it's done, we'd just leave our trash on the floor, like other people would do (and the floor gets sticky with spilled soda almost always).

but now, i go to the movie theaters for something way too different.

"hi, would you like to try our combo? a large popcorn, two large drinks and any of these three poppables?"
"would you like to put butter on your popcorn? cheese on your nachos/pretzels?"
"what size is/are your drink/s?"
"anything else?"
"that would be $(price)"

yes. i go to the cinemas every weekend, not to see a movie, but to work. i started this last friday to sunday, with a day or night shift. at first i was surprised with the load coz my entire system's not yet prepared for it, but then i was getting the hang of it when i went on.

everything i do there is quite simple. make popcorns and put on bags, stack nacho chips, put drinks on cups, and other more things that a typical person in the concession area would do. what's hard about it is that during rush periods, when a movie starts, people form very long lines, ordering food (what else?), and we're working like crazy and there's no tomorrow. but before you know it, the lines disappear, and you'll be okay and relax before the next showing (hell, there are 10 theaters, figure out how many showings we have in a day. not to mention i work weekends, hence the big crowd of people).

what i like about my work is that i get to talk with different people, a thing i really need to do now to help adjust myself here in the us. i've made friends now, like michael, a chinese guy. he's born here so he speaks english very well. he told me he speaks chinese but he doesn't know how to write. and oh, there's chantel, dene, charles and a few more, all i work with at the movies.

and the greatest deal i get, aside from getting paid for work, is that we get free food anytime during work periods. when there're no customers, we go grab a soda, nachos, popcorn, slushie... hahaha. when i came here, i told myself not to get attached to sodas anymore, but here i am, drinking every kind that i could get. and in lucky times, we could see movies for free, and bring a friend or two with us. who would not like it if a movie pass costs 9 dollars per head?

another thing, customers here are so friendly. they would even chat with you when you're making their order, and say thank you before they leave. i could not remember anyone who didn't say that. well, it feels really good to hear people appreciate what you do. that's why i'm starting to like my new work now.

and i'm trying my best to like my new life here.

"thank you, have a good day!"