First business trip

Last week I went on my first business trip. I've gotten a little used to Joel going out of town and sitting around waiting for him to get home. (Well, not entirely- I stayed busy with school and such.) But this time it was my turn to go out of town for work. Last week I attended Better Process Control School at MSU. This is a course that is required of people handing certain foods for commercial purposes. At Nestle, I will be working with Product Developers. I will cook up their recipes, seal them into packaging, and running them through thermal processes. There are different processes for different foods & containers, but the main concern is to make sure the food is safe for consumption- gotta kill any micro organisms that could cause someone to get sick. I learned about different systems, different standards of temperature based on pH levels, water activity, etc. This was something totally new to me, but very interesting. I learned a ton! I left GR on Monday morning for MSU. I arrived around 11:30 and they had a lunch for us. Then we started class. The way the class works is to cover everything in the class book. So you are presented the information one chapter at a time and then tested over that chapter. You have to pass each test with at least a 70%. My lowest was an 80%, so I didn't have to retake any. The first day, class went until 6:00pm, which covered 2 chapters. Then I checked into my hotel. It wasn't the greatest, but it was close and paid for. I ordered in dinner because I was too lazy to drive around looking for a place and I had a test to study for. Tuesday I had class from 8-4, covering 4 chapters. After class I went to the hotel and ordered in again and relaxed. Wednesday I had class from 8-4, then got ice cream from the dairy store. Thursday I had class again all day and went to the dairy store again. Friday we went until 10:30 or so, I went to the dairy store, and then drove back to GRCC to make up a test I missed. Now, all those times I went to the dairy store I only got one scoop and I didn't eat them! I saved them and Joel and I ate them together Friday evening. It was my surprise for him. I was so glad when I got home. I love sleeping in my own bed best and being far from Joel is never fun! This was a great opportunity and I'm so glad that I went. It sounds like I might have another business trip this summer to Ohio. That one will be with my supervisor.

Busy First Week

This week I started my new job as an Associate Food Technician at Nestle Nutrition. (Gerber) Monday morning I had a Welcome Breakfast with the on-boarding team, HR orientation, Safety tours, and an Innovation Team Meeting (I didn't understand a word of it) that had lunch catered in. Tuesday I had a weekly and monthly team meeting with the core team that I will be working with (still didn't understand a whole lot). I had more safety tours and one on one time with my supervisor. I also had time to look around in the computer a bit and start reading over some procedures and processes. Wednesday I watched other technicians work in the lab for a bit, seeing what they work on and how they do things. I also played around on the computer so more. Thursday I got to help with a process called Heat Penetration testing. It's a way to see how hot a food item has to reach internally to make sure it is safe for consumption. We we're working on a project that is in it's very early stages. This Heat Pens. took up a large portion of the day, along with systems training. Friday I helped finish up the last set of Heat Pens. and read over more processes and procedures. We had a Welcome Kara lunch with my team- that was fun! Throughout the week, my supervisor walked me around to the various "pods" of desks so I can meet my coworkers and see where everyone sits. This week was a little overwhelming, because as soon as we got home on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I had to rush off for class. I was a little late each day, but my teachers are very understanding. I'm trying to cram as much as I can into my little head. There's so much! They keep saying I'll learn over the next 6 months to a year. I sure hope I can learn it faster than that! One of the talents I have been blessed with is the ability to learn quickly. The next 7 weeks will be hectic and stressful, but once I graduated it will be a whole different story. I just have to make it through!

Oh yeah, this coming week I will be in Lansing for Better Process Control School at MSU. That will be another post for another day!

New Wardrobe

I have been asked by a couple of people to see my new clothes. I have a couple of clothes on me, but then I got sick of setting the camera. haha. Here are some pictures of my new shirts, pants, skirt set, and shoes:

A great last day!

Today was my last day working for Intrepid Plastics. It was a great last day! I have enjoyed working with my coworkers, customers, suppliers, and truck drivers over the last 3 years and 5 months. I can't believe that much time has gone by! The Quality Manager had a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting, Reese's Peanut Butter cups, and a nice card waiting on my desk. Then for lunch we had a pizza party! I know that I will always be welcomed back if I wanted. I am ready to start this next chapter of my life, but am so grateful for the experiences I have had!

Here's to the future and the many unknowns to come!