Tuesday, January 27, 2009

What in the world is 'lapidary'?

Everyday, there's something new happening at the Rec Center.  Of course there are the same ol' day to day things like keeping the place tidy and running short errands here and there.  However, I'm confident that I have learned or experienced something new every day of my internship so far.  I suppose this is pretty much the point of an internship so I shouldn't be surprised, but it's still fascinating to me.  Even the simple, little things are fun, new adventures.  For instance, today I learned how to transfer calls.  So simple and yet so helpful! It's a little thing that helps me have more confidence when doing my job.  

I also got to take a field trip to the Glendale Adult Center.  This, as the name implies, is a recreation center for adults.  I went with Lori, who works in my facility, but organizes all Special Interest Classes for the entire City of Glendale Parks & Rec Department.  She had to check on some things at the Adult Center and invited my to tag along.  She introduced me to several people and took me on a tour of the facility.  It was crazy!  There were so many people just hanging out playing cards, shooting pool, playing shuffleboard, chillin' in the computer lab, and even practicing dance.  I never would have thought there would be so many people there.  And then...we went into the Lapidary room.  I'm pretty sure I had never even hear the word 'lapidary' before today, but one of the lead guys explained that lapidary is all about engraving and cutting gems.  They take glass and rough gems and turn them into pretty, shiny stones for jewelry and other things.  It's really amazing!  I think it would be so great to get to take the time to make a ring or something someday.  We'll see.  

And, while learning new words and how to transfer calls was great, I think the best thing I took home from this day was a first-hand observation of the importance of recreation facilities.  It really was great to see so many people utilizing the Adult Center.  There were so many smiles and so much laughter around me when I was there.  I don't intend to make assumptions about the lives of the people who were there, but I can't help but to think that their lives are enhanced by their participation in recreation activities.  It's great for people to have a place to go to socialize, challenge their skills and knowledge, and learn new things.  I close with sad thoughts of how our poor economy threatens such facilities and organizations.  I hate to think about those people not having such a special place to go.     

Saturday, January 24, 2009

I Love Guts!

Ok, so yesterday was a great day on the job.  It may sound a little shady, but honestly, the best part of the day was getting to see the 'guts' of the building.  I love big pieces of equipment and learning how they work so, when I'm in the presence of cable TV, I thoroughly enjoy shows like How It's Made on the Discovery Channel and Modern Marvels on the History Channel. Unfortunately, I'm too cheap to pay for cable so I don't get to seem them much. However, I digress.  Getting to see the heavy duty equipment that keeps the facility going was fun.  They have very large evap coolers, which provide the pleasantly cool temperature in the building.  I also got to see the big water heaters.  I learned that the Center has a separate water heater for the Teaching Kitchen because the water needs to be set at 140 degrees for sanitation reasons. This is a little toasty for folks taking showers so the water heaters supplying water to locker rooms and restrooms are set at a lower temperature.  

Foothills also has a heated lap pool outside.  The water for the pool passes through a large boiler and is sent back to the pool to keep the pool at a comfortable temperature so guests may swim all year long.  The crummy thing about the heated pool is the gas used to operate the boiler costs thousands of dollars each month through the fall, winter, and spring.  In an effort to reduce this cost, the Center purchased a (very expensive) pool cover to help keep the heat in.  Just yesterday, the staff was discussing how the pool cover has saved the Center so much money, it's already paid for itself and more.  Whoever came up with that idea ought to get a big pat on the back!

Finally, though it has nothing to do with 'guts', my other favorite thing about yesterday was that I got to give tours to people interested in learning about the Center.  I really enjoy giving tours.  I like to meet new people, find out what they're interested in, and give them great customer service.   The entire staff shares the responsibility of giving tours and I have already been on a tour with nearly every full-time staff member.  Each adds a personal touch and does their best to promote the facility.  I will be happy to continue contributing by helping with tours, too.  

I did many other wonderful things yesterday, but I suppose I'll save them for another blog.  :) 

  

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Let's Get This Party Started!!


Today was Day #1 of my internship at Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center (see photo!), a facility of Glendale Parks and Recreation Department.  I have been a little nervous the last few days as I anticipated starting today, but once I got to my site, things just started rolling and my nervousness, for the most part, went away.  

I knew going into my internship that I would be working in a variety of areas.  Today by itself held much variety.  I started by learning about the history of the facility.  It was interesting to hear how the current staff had so much to do with the design and construction of the facility.  I could see how their history with the organization gave them pride in its current operation.

Next, I spent time at the front desk.  I read through a great deal of information and observed many different transactions.  I was impressed with how well the front desk crew knew the customers.  It was easy to see how the people coming to work out enjoyed being greeted by name.  

Finally, I spent the rest of the day working on a research project.  The Special Interest Class coordinator is interested in learning how area cities contract and pay instructors.  I spent a great deal of the afternoon tracking down coordinators from surrounding cities and interviewing them with a series of questions.  Over the next day or so I will be compiling my findings and reporting to the coordinator at Foothills.  

Then I went home.  Hungary.  Tired.  Ready to do it again.