So, I went for my Orientation yesterday at the school. It started at 10am, and ended at 12pm sharp.
Because, you know, French culture involves being very disciplined? Punctuality is of utmost importance to them - and that's why I think I will try my utmost best not to be late, EVER to school.
Maybe, because of that slight fear of being late...I woke up twice in the early morning before my alarm clock rang. I dreamt that I already missed the orientation or I didn't missed the orientation and couldn't figure out what time I was supposed to be in school. And that dream just kept reoccurring - until I really woke up at 8am.
I got to school, and there were so many people around, I approached the reception counter and chirpily announced that I was there for the Orientation.
"Welcome! Please follow the lady and take a picture first" she said.
"Oh, okay!" I replied. Deep down in my heart, I was feeling all relieved that I had decided to slap on some light make up before getting out of the house.
And that was it, the photo taking session wasn't a group class photo like I had assumed, it was just a profile picture session for the student tag or something.
I followed the lady down the hallway to the Demo 1 classroom, where there's many chairs with the little tables on them, and a huge steel kitchen is right in front, embossed with a huge ass blue, signature logo of LCB. There was suspended televisions and a ceiling mirror right tilted and mirroring the worktop - which makes it easy for students to see the steps being demonstrated by the Chef, and of course, all the tools and kitchen equipment properly stored around the kitchen.
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| Picture taken from At Bangkok |
I was directed to my seat where there's bag with my name on it, filled with my chef jackets, trousers, necker tie, tea towels, books etc and alongside with the a folder that contains all my studying materials and recipes. There's also a food container (Which is making me very, very happy because it's hard to find a big enough container to store, let's say 8" cake that is about 3" tall?)
Then, the coordinator got us to fill in some forms for our personal particulars, and the Principal came in to make a speech. She was so elegant, posh and spoke so well, I was convinced I can totally become the next Pierre Hermes! HAHA!
My classmates are mostly either from Asia and Europe, with only one or two local Thais; most of them are taking the Grand Diploma; consisting of both culinary & patisserie. I remembered sitting, and thinking to myself that it doesn't matter how good they will be, or that I'm completely out of their league (most looked like they already have years of experience) because I'm here to get better at this one thing I have the passion for, and I only have myself to beat. To get good grades.
We went through the rules and regulations, and boy...all I can totally understand and be sure of, is that, I cannot, absolutely under whatsoever circumstances, take medical leaves OR be late. We're only entitled to 6 absents - anymore than that and you're not allowed to take the exams, meaning 'goodbye' to the whole entire diploma. Every lateness offence will also be taken note of, and every 3 late offences equals to 1 absent. The maximum time frame given, is only 15 minutes, any later, the door is locked and you cannot get in, at all.
Next up was cross checking the quantity for the uniforms, demonstration by an alumni student on how the attire for both the practical and demo classes, as well as how to wear the necker tie. Oh man, I cannot tell you how cumbersome it is to wear the tie, you have to fold it in like some Brownie's tie or Girls' Guide tie, which I once knew how, but is now tying it all wrongly. One of the guys in class even joked that he'll pay 30baht daily to anyone who can tie his necker tie for him.
The alumni student said to top it up to 100 baht and he'll do it for him. HAHA!
We received our tool kit - a three zipper/level knife case consisting of knifes and baking equipment.
This tool kit costs 50,000baht. That's like over two thousand dollars SGD; there's more than 10 types of knives, 12 plastic & stainless steel noozles, thermometer, spatula, piping bags, whisk, pastry brush, scraper and other stuff. I was told to label every equipment with my name because if any items is missing, I'll have to buy the whole entire set again as they don't sell the tools individually.
Well, bearing that in mind, I changed my tool kit twice. Once was because the zipper was spoilt, and second was because my large piping bag was stained dirty by the school logo. For $2k plus, I'm definitely entitled to ensure that I'm not receiving inferior goods man! Also, for that price, I'm feeling like I traded away my Mulberry & Miu Miu to carry this "branded" bag. Well, I can console myself that WUSTHOF is a great brand too right?
After that, we went on a tour around the school. We checked out the locker room, the lecture rooms and the practical rooms. And...then we went off.
I didn't managed to make any new friends, except for saying 'Hi' to one of the classmates, who had to run because her sister was waiting for her, and then another lady at the reception counter; she said 'Hi' because She's Singaporean too, but she's taking Art of Bakery for this term, which is not the same course as mine.
I am still kicking myself in the ass for not exchanging numbers; we could have been friends going out for lunch on weekends even when we're not studying together. *facepalm* Oh well, I hope Monday's another great day ahead to making new friends and great happenings!
Anyway, after the orientation, I carried out all my gears and flag a cab home. There's no way I'm lugging out more than 5kg back home on MRT and then walk home again. Plus, the tool kit is too expensive and important, I'm going to guard it with my life if i have too! Because, you know, they will also give you an "absent" if you did not bring your tools OR wear your uniform clean and properly.
This...is way more Zarina than Zarina herself. *E3 peeps of mine will get this insider joke*
That's the end of my Orientation. I went out to purchase some scotch tapes and posts its, taping my name to every single tool, and made plans to wash & iron my laundry on Saturday morning. Pretty much something to keep me occupied. I'll share more about my apartment another time, and how laundry became my new favourite thing to do.
Till then, I leave you with this first look of me in uniform! =D
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