Day 6

I'm not really sure how to start this post. Actually, I've put off writing this update so that I could try to think of the best way to begin. I'm just not as inspired today. I don't know what it is. But I'm hoping I might find some inspiration as I go along. So here goes...

This morning there was some issue with an ingredient that didn't come in. I offered to go pick it up, but because I'm only 18, no one felt comfortable giving me the company credit card. I get it, but I found myself feeling a little disappointed that I couldn't be of more help. I always try to be helpful, but I guess I can only do as much as they're comfortable with. And I understand that. I just try to make myself useful as much as possible, ya know?

After it was settled that Steph would run back out to the store, Breanne and I got to help set up for Panel. I started setting up the cups incorrectly so AuBrei had to tell me the right way to do it. Here's what it looks like when it's all set up and ready to go.

Cool right? I think it looks pretty official.

I hit a stumbling block when I almost botched the data today, which was kinda scary. I didn't realize that the panelists were tasting two versions of a product and so I went to throw out the first sample when I was supposed to keep it in front of that panelists' silver dome shaft until the second version was returned. Luckily, AuBrei was there to tell me when I was messing something up. She was really nice about it too, so it made me feel like she really wanted me to learn. But still, I felt so bad for not knowing how to do everything already. I try to be very on top of what I am doing, but panel today seemed like one learning experience after another! But I guess you have to learn some time, right? 

Oh! I should mention here (well, I should have mentioned it earlier...) that I didn't have breakfast this morning for two reasons. 1) I wasn't hungry by the time I had to leave this morning and 2) I knew there would be something to eat when I got to work! I'm telling you, this is pretty nice not having to worry about where  my next meal is coming from! Sure enough, Janice had a huge box of Kashi Go Lean bars to share with us. I helped myself to one and it was actually really tasty. 

The eating continued after Panel, when Steph and AuBrei said we could try the food the panelists had eaten. I ate most of that. I figured that counted as breakfast. A very strange breakfast indeed. 

Not long after, Breanne and I stayed behind while everyone went out to lunch. We bought lunch from the cafeteria, which was fun because it was the first time that either of us had to use our own money to get lunch. So far we've been so spoiled! Lunch (for both of us) was a Portabello Ciabatta. 

The bread was really good. I was expecting more of a Panini vibe, but still, it was tasty. And I always feel a sense of personal accomplishment when I have an entirely vegetarian meal. As far as selection was concerned, the cafeteria had a wide variety of options to choose from. I think McCormick employees are very well taken care of. :) That said, I was surprised at how quiet the lunchroom was, even at the peak of lunch time. (c. 12 o'clock). My guess is that a lot of people are like us, and have to buy their lunch very infrequently. That, or they packed their own. (Though the cafeteria prices were very reasonable.)

One of the nice things about actually having a lunch time was that Breanne and I were able to talk and get to know each other more. All in all, we got along really well today (and everyday, to be honest). We have very similar tastes and likes so it makes it a lot of fun to have her around. I am not sure my experience would be as enjoyable without her. It's so nice to have someone close to my age to attend meetings with and chat with and generally share my experiences of internship with. Never underestimate the value of a friendly face!

After lunch, Breanne and I worked on our Pinterest presentation for about two and a half hours. We're giving the preview on Thursday and the real thing on Friday, and tomorrow we have Focus Groups all day, so we're really coming down to the wire on this one. Half of our problem is that it takes SO LONG for us to do anything on the computers. We seem to have one computer problem after another. Our issues are so frequent that they're almost comical! (I had to laugh at us a few times today.)

We did, however, decide on what we're going to make. We picked two items, one slightly more complicated than the other. The more complicated one is Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars. The less completed one is Deep Dark Chocolate Cookies. (Those look AMAZING!) Both of these recipes were from Pinterest, so we're keeping the Pinterest theme going in every aspect of our presentation.

Once we figured out what we were making, we were able to work through an outline and generate charts with the info we gathered from our survey. It was a bit of a long process because our assignment thus far has been pretty vague, so we've had to kind of widdle away at our goal and keep ourselves on track. I appreciate how much freedom we've been given. It's nice to know that Nancy trusts us to run with the project. (Though I guess that does add some pressure- who knows what she's expecting us to churn out!)

At three o'clock we had tasting for the company store. Today was oils and vinegars, which sounds harsh at first, but was actually way better than you'd think! I ended up with two bottles of flavored oils at the end of the day.

These were awesome! Honestly, I could not stop tasting some of these oils- they were that good. Tasting for the store might be one of my favorite activities since you get exposed to a whole range of tastes you might otherwise never experience, and you usually get something to take home with you. It's a win-win situation. (Then again, I'd have a hard time finding something at McCormick that wasn't a win-win situation.) 

I am continually impressed by the genuine nature of the people I work with everyday. Cathy (the one who bakes delicious things!) was so tickled when I asked about the shower she'd had for her daughter this weekend. And AuBrei volunteered to take Breanne and me to the company store on Thursday when she heard that no one was really available to do that. People are just honestly good people here. I'm not sure you get that everywhere, but I'm certainly glad I found it here. 

On another note, I bumped into a SPSG alum today on my way in. Shaniqua Jones, who graduated last year, is interning in FSS (financial sharing services...or something along those lines). She's doing something with accounting. As it turns out, we're on the same floor! Small world, eh? I tell ya, there are so many SP/SPSG people linked to McCormick, it's crazy! 

One of the things that amazes me about my time at the office is that it seems to just fly by. School has never gone by as quickly as work, and sometimes I've been at work for a lot longer than a school day. I'm not sure what it is. Maybe it's the variety of activities that I do in a day that makes it go by so much faster? Or the sheer amount of knowledge I am acquiring? I really couldn't tell you exactly what it is. But it's unbelievable how the day is gone before I know it! 

Tomorrow is Focus Groups (at normal times...no ending at 8pm!) so I'm really looking forward to it. If they're anything like last week's then I know I'll have a great time! Plus, they're giving us lunch, so what could possibly be bad about that? I'm really looking forward to an awesome day!! 

Til then.

P.S. I think I found my inspiration while typing this post. It's amazing what a little writing will do!