The trial period ended on November 30, and now I have to give 30 days notice if I want to quit. I have applied for a couple of other jobs, one as a receptionist in a dentist's office (no experience necessary), and one as a hiking guide for the Ski School (retired folks welcome). The first question I got when I called the dental office was my name, the second my age. They didn't seem interested in hearing anything else. I have not gotten the promised calls back from either entity, and so, once again, to some degree, I am feeling lucky to have at least this miserable bakery job.
The other day I had the worst schedule ever: from 8am to 9:30, then a break until 11:00am at which time I had to go for lunch, and then work from 11:30am to 7:00pm with one 15 minutes break! Meanwhile I got the schedule for the days off in December - finally on November 29! I don't know how employees with family and other obligations are managing! It's impossible to plan anything. The weekly schedule only gets posted on the prior weekend - so again, it's impossible to make any kind of commitment for the long breaks. Ironically I am feeling proud for having made the cut through the trial period - the colleague who started on the same day as I, didn't!
The store has large windows through which we get to observe what's happening on the street. It's closed to traffic, and, of course, on a slope. When it snows there's much snow removal activity, as the city is trying to do a good job to keep the street snow free to prevent the build-up of ice. They go at it with huge snowplows and backhoes - I am always worried about one of them crashing through the windows. Last weekend the City Race took place. Our street was turned into a ski run. So, instead of them removing snow, they brought it back onto the clean street, truck load after truck load, until there were a good 2 feet. A small walkway was carved away on one side, protective fences and mats were positioned all along the run, markings were painted onto the snow, a starting ramp was erected and slalom gates set up! Starting at 5pm on Friday, music was blearring and an impressive crowd turned up despite the bitter cold. It's true that November has been so dead in St. Moritz that people were desperate for an opportunity to party! Since the bakery was losing much business because it was just about inaccessible, it set up a booth on the square. Thank God I didn't have to staff it! Fortunately there was no fire at Hanselmann's during that time, because no fire truck would have been able to reach it! All this for a ski run of 100 meters!
Talking about skiing. On my day off last week I went downhill skiing, to a different area, Marguns, above the town of Celerina. I skied only for about one hour, but since we were barely 10 people in total on the run, it was intense skiing, - and enough for my knee. I was pleased to notice that I am becoming more confident, more aggressive, though I limited myself to intermediate runs. I headed home when the light got flat and the cold more biting.
We have had deep winter weather over the last few days. Either it snows, or it's bitter cold. Today's snowing would have been described as a blizzard in the US - here we just say that it's snowing! It doesn't let up, and even the highway remains white. So there definitely wasn't going to be any skiing today - which turns out to be good, because last week my back went out, and it still is not quite back to normal. This week I am limiting my exercising to walking and back stretches! It's the classic case: since starting work one month ago I had stopped doing my back exercising routine because at night I was too tired - and promptly paid the price!
The sale of the apartment is likely be further delayed, as it's unlikely that my sisters and I will find a time to clean it out together before July. Physically and mentally it would be too hard for me to do it on my own. So it looks like in the spring I'll recover from my job, travel to Portland for a visit (I can already tell that I'll need more dental work!) and return to close this chapter of my life. I have pretty much decided to stay at a minimum until early fall. In July I'll have to decide whether to rerent my Portland house or to keep it available for myself. In the summer I'll also look for a job, either here or back in the US.
My aunt told me that she has decided to move into a nursing home as soon as a room becomes available. This represents another unknown in my life. She is relying on me to help her move and clean out her apartment. I can't do this while staying at the job. The call could come tomorrow or in 6 months... I'll somehow deal with it when it comes, but I can't deal with it for now!
Building the ski run - in front of the bakery.
The ramp from which the races started - from the window of my room in St. Moritz.
Recovering in the sun on my weekend off. Near San Gian.
Getting into the holiday spirit.
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