As the season draws to an end...

By Nasiphi Sobahle

With just four (4) weeks left in our respective country clubs, who ever thought that the season will end, it all feels like it’s so sudden. It has been an tremendous experience in Florida and now that the season is about to end, we will soon go our different ways… some of us are looking forward to reuniting with our friends and family back at home while some are ready for change, ready to embark on a new journey and adventure up north, all exciting changes indeed.

I cannot begin to express in words what a journey it’s been at Hunters Run Golf and Racquet Club, I know I speak for many when I say we have learned so much in this place, so much so that our Food and Beverage Director (Mr. Reza Fazard) often reminds us that with the training, experience and tools that they have provided us with, we can work anywhere and I strongly agree with him… This is not an industry for the faint hearted, It’s either you love what you do or you don’t do it at all.

… Last but not least, before we part ways, we are trying to do as much as we can together, with every opportunity that we get, from random hang out sessions in our apartments to taking trips to Miami and spending the day in one of our local beaches… all in the name of capturing the last few moments that we have with one another…

I guess they are right when they say “All Good things come to an end” this is one of them, an amazing winter season in Florida coming to an end…

Day by day living

By Janine Dawson

A lot has happened since my last bog post – I celebrated my 21st birthday (which means I am finally legal in the US!), we went to Miami to enjoy some fun in the sun, and I found out that I was accepted for a job up North for the summer programme once the winter programme comes to an end, so everything is looking up and moving forward!

It is unbelievable how fast the time has gone since I started the Workaway journey.  It feels like just the other day I was getting ready to leave home!  In less than 2 months I’ll have to pack everything up and start a whole new adventure in Philadelphia.

Life in America thus far has been really amazing and everything here has been a new learning experience for everyone. I feel like I not only learnt more about myself, but also about other people and the way they view the world.

I read a quote the other day which I feel has plenty of relevance to my life at the moment:  "If you want something you've never had, you need to do something you've never done." And this is exactly what I’ve done!  When you leave your comfort zone, you finally start living.

I look forward to updating you all before my journey up North begins. Yay!

"Service and team work - the name of the game!"

By Nasiphi Sobahle

March 2014 marks the start of my fifth month in America as part of the Workaway International programme, and what a journey it has been!

 

December through to mid-February are definitely the busiest months at all the country clubs in Florida, so I’ve had a challenging, but fun-filled time.

Now after all the hard work of the festive season, we’ve finally found some downtime, where everyone begins to work “regular” hours once more as the season slowly draws to an end.  That being said, service is certainly still top priority, even if it means we look like zombies while doing it!

As the country club experienced its busiest period over the past holiday season, a lot of preparation and planning had to take place in order for us to deliver good quality service from all departments.

TEAM WORK was definitely the name of the game – hosting indoor and outdoor functions / banquets, private member parties, and themed dinners like “The Lobster Extravaganza”.  We all had to pull together and work as a team in order to make each of these events a success.

Working hard on these events has given us all the opportunity to learn something outside of our usual departments because, at the end of the day, we are one team with one common goal: to keep the members happy.  Working together is KEY and we are led by the Hunters Run Slogan: “DEDICATION TO EXCELLENCE.”

Overall, Christmas away from home had to be the most difficult part of my December.  We were given Christmas Eve off and we all decided to gather and have a real “South African” Christmas Dinner as we would normally have back at home with our families.

As we all know, South Africans always love to have a good time and the South African Year-End Party, organized by some amazing individuals at the country club, was a night to remember!  We all gathered in West Palm Beach to say goodbye to 2013 and to welcome 2014 with open arms in true South African fashion.

All in all, I would like to wish all the participants a happy and healthy 2014 and to urge us all to never forget the primary reason that made us embark on this journey: to learn and experience things that make us stronger individuals!