By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
Like I have mentioned before I was working in a shoe shop. But all good and bad stuff must come to an end.
I have learned to work with customers nice or rude. Some come in already, ready for a fight and others will be so friendly that you are almost stunned... I have also lost a bit of faith in humanity because most customers don't even acknowledge you, after you have greeted them heartily and they can really be unreasonable for no reason at all.
I have made new friends with my colleagues, they welcomed me with open arms and we really had good times in the store. We had a good laugh at customers, who went crazy or started shouting at us for a pair of shoes... If shoes ever become so important to me that I start shouting at the shop assistants, then I must know that I have totally lost it... It was fun knowing them and I'm going to try to make regular visits there.
We have also established that i can't dance, especially not to house music... But i have known it for a long time now!
Also one of the perks of working in a shoe shop is that we have first pick at what shoes we want. If we get more stock from the suppliers and open the boxes and there is shoes in them which we like, we get to buy them first, before they are even on the selves!
Today was my last day in the shoe shop.
All in all, it was yet another great year and now I have money to show for my slavery in the shop. But that money is going straight to my study fund for 2014!
Monday, December 30, 2013
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Friends forever
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
Everyone has those few people, who will always be your friends.
First of all, I have a life long friend, Marinda, I have literally known her my whole life. Our mothers met in prenatal classes. She was born the 1st of July and I was born the 6th Of July. We have been friends for 20 and a half years. She was also working with me at the shoe shop, so it was really fun seeing her every day at work. At least she is with me at university and we usually make lunch dates just to see each other in our busy schedules.
Second of all, I have a friend, Melanie, whom I met on the first day of my first school day.
I still remember the first day of school. We were sitting across each other and we instantly became friends. At the end of the day, I put her home number on my calculator... Yes, my calculator! I put the calculator in my bag and when I got home the number was GONE!! (It was a solar calculator) I cried for hours, not realizing that I will be seeing her the next day! We have been friends for 14 years now and still will be 'til we die!
Last, but definitely not least, is Margerethe.
She was my roommate this year at our residence. We only met last year, but have been best friends since then. She has the best personality and is the most down to earth person I know. Her nickname in the residence is Nike and it suits her quite well, because she is a very hard worker. It was great sharing a room with her and we had so much fun and random times. This friendship is definitely gonna last a lifetime. She really is a roll model to me and I look up to her.
I have many other friends, who are all really special to me, but these 3 deserve a special shout out. They have changed my life in ways that no one else could. thank you for being my friends. I appreciate you!
Everyone has those few people, who will always be your friends.
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| Marinda and me |
Second of all, I have a friend, Melanie, whom I met on the first day of my first school day.
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| Melanie and me |
Last, but definitely not least, is Margerethe.
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| Margerethe and me |
I have many other friends, who are all really special to me, but these 3 deserve a special shout out. They have changed my life in ways that no one else could. thank you for being my friends. I appreciate you!
Friday, December 27, 2013
2013 is on it's back!
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
What a year it was!
I started my second year at university and it was so fun and time flew so fast that it feels like it almost didn't happen, but now it is over. Kind of sad when I think of it. Next year I get my degree and I also hope to get approved for a honours degree, hopefully in PR or Web Design.
Everyone needs that study buddy who will motivate you through the year. Merieke has been the best study buddy anyone can ask for! But she is also one of my best friends and I value her friendship dearly! She also has an identical twin and she is also one of my best friends.
What a year it was!
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| Me and my awesome roommate at RAG |
I started my second year at university and it was so fun and time flew so fast that it feels like it almost didn't happen, but now it is over. Kind of sad when I think of it. Next year I get my degree and I also hope to get approved for a honours degree, hopefully in PR or Web Design.
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| Me and my study buddy |
Every year has its ups and downs, but this year mostly had UPS!!!
Now, I have a three month vacation until February and it is summer here in South-Africa, so it's our summer holiday!
I would also like to thank everyone that started to read my blog, I have a 1000 views and I only started blogging in November! So it's not bad!
For the few days that are left in 2013, ENJOY EVERY MOMENT and Carpe Diem!
We will rock 2014!
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Funny Friday #1
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
So, I decided I'm going to start a new thing namely Funny Friday's. It will be a great way to end the week with a bit of humor. So tell me what you think?
Hope it at least made you smile! Have a good Friday, tomorrow!
So, I decided I'm going to start a new thing namely Funny Friday's. It will be a great way to end the week with a bit of humor. So tell me what you think?
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| Seems legit... |
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| Poor guy |
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| Me, as a student.. |
Hope it at least made you smile! Have a good Friday, tomorrow!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
What a merry Christmas it was!
I wish all my readers a very merry Christmas, I hope you got everything that you wanted!
I am going to do a photo post of my last two days spent with family.
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| At Cinderella Kids |
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| Dad and sis at Cinderella Kids |
Go see my post Li'l sis is 5
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| Sister on stage |
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| PROOF! |
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| Opening presents |
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| Mom and dad |
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| Our table is set |
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| Grandma, me & Petite Peu |
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| Sister look fashionable |
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| Grandma & Grandpa |
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| Opening presents |
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| A delicious duck on the braai |
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| Colouring in |
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| Mom and Aunt Debbie |
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| BRAAI |
Sunday, December 22, 2013
How retail works in a shoe shop
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
Many people walk into a shop, buy the shoes and walk out but never realize what is going on in the background. I thought I would share this with you, because it was even interesting to me. And like I have mentioned before I'm working in a shoe shop for the holiday season to earn some extra money for 2014.
There are so many things that it is even hard to know where to start.
If a customer comes with a shoe that was on the display and asks for a size, there is a sticker in the shoe. The sticker has a name on it and the bar code. Then we look on the boxes for the same name, then we have found the shoe! So next time, you're looking for a shoe, you can do it yourself ;).
Shoes sell so fast that everyday we have to put new stock in the empty spaces. Every second day we receive more or less 90-100 boxes, which can almost immediately be put into the empty spaces. A box contains more or less 12-20 shoe boxes. That means 1200-2000 shoe boxes that we get every 2 days.
Customers make it hard when they put the shoes back in the wrong places, because there is so many types of shoes. If a customer puts the shoes in the wrong place, we struggle to find it when it was supposed to be in the assigned row, but it's not there. The shoes can sometimes get lost that we only find it months later.
Also, because we sell so many shoes, the shop's shelves looks different almost everyday, because we have to make space for the new boxes and also fill in the spaces. It is hard work, because if you move one row, you have to move ALL THE ROWS! No spaces are allowed!
The photo above shows Tomy takkies. They are very popular and everyone from young to old can wear them and not look strange. Well, these shoes are so popular that they make 40% of our budget. Yes, that is how popular they are.
Customers love to ask if we have any more stock in the stockroom and they hate it if you say no, because you didn't even go and check, but what they don't know is that we work day in and day out in that store and we pretty much now the store in and out. But sometimes I can see that the people are not nice so I sometimes just pretend to go in there, wait a while and go out again, telling them there is nothing. I know it is wrong of me, but like people always say: "The customer is always right".
I always laugh at the families coming into the store. The dads usually goes and sits on the nearest bench they can find in the store. The moms usually run around and try to find shoes even for the husbands. And the children usually run around and play games. The best is when the wives asks how the shoe looks to their husbands, the reply is always: "It looks fine, honey, buy it so we can go." MEN DO NOT LIKE SHOPPING!
Customers also ask why we do not extend the mall's trading hours. Let me tell you why, You may be with your family in the mall, shopping. But, we have lives and families as well, so we would like to see them before 12 o' clock at night. The hours are there to accommodate the employees.
The next time you walk in to a store, please be friendly to the shop assistants. We really appreciate it to be greeted friendly. We are also people. We also have feelings.
Also, see my post For the love of SHOES!!!!!
Please feel free to leave a comment. Tell me what store has the best customer service and what you as consumer expect from people working in stores?
Many people walk into a shop, buy the shoes and walk out but never realize what is going on in the background. I thought I would share this with you, because it was even interesting to me. And like I have mentioned before I'm working in a shoe shop for the holiday season to earn some extra money for 2014.
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| Kgomotso and me working |
If a customer comes with a shoe that was on the display and asks for a size, there is a sticker in the shoe. The sticker has a name on it and the bar code. Then we look on the boxes for the same name, then we have found the shoe! So next time, you're looking for a shoe, you can do it yourself ;).
Shoes sell so fast that everyday we have to put new stock in the empty spaces. Every second day we receive more or less 90-100 boxes, which can almost immediately be put into the empty spaces. A box contains more or less 12-20 shoe boxes. That means 1200-2000 shoe boxes that we get every 2 days.
Customers make it hard when they put the shoes back in the wrong places, because there is so many types of shoes. If a customer puts the shoes in the wrong place, we struggle to find it when it was supposed to be in the assigned row, but it's not there. The shoes can sometimes get lost that we only find it months later.
Also, because we sell so many shoes, the shop's shelves looks different almost everyday, because we have to make space for the new boxes and also fill in the spaces. It is hard work, because if you move one row, you have to move ALL THE ROWS! No spaces are allowed!
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| Tomy takkies |
Customers love to ask if we have any more stock in the stockroom and they hate it if you say no, because you didn't even go and check, but what they don't know is that we work day in and day out in that store and we pretty much now the store in and out. But sometimes I can see that the people are not nice so I sometimes just pretend to go in there, wait a while and go out again, telling them there is nothing. I know it is wrong of me, but like people always say: "The customer is always right".
I always laugh at the families coming into the store. The dads usually goes and sits on the nearest bench they can find in the store. The moms usually run around and try to find shoes even for the husbands. And the children usually run around and play games. The best is when the wives asks how the shoe looks to their husbands, the reply is always: "It looks fine, honey, buy it so we can go." MEN DO NOT LIKE SHOPPING!
Customers also ask why we do not extend the mall's trading hours. Let me tell you why, You may be with your family in the mall, shopping. But, we have lives and families as well, so we would like to see them before 12 o' clock at night. The hours are there to accommodate the employees.
The next time you walk in to a store, please be friendly to the shop assistants. We really appreciate it to be greeted friendly. We are also people. We also have feelings.
Also, see my post For the love of SHOES!!!!!
Please feel free to leave a comment. Tell me what store has the best customer service and what you as consumer expect from people working in stores?
The beauty of weddings
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
The other night we attended a beautiful wedding at Morrell's Boutique Hotel in Johannesburg. It is a lovely venue and I'm even considering, holding my 21st there.
The love one sees between the bride and groom are so contagious to see. It makes you believe in those fairy tales, you only read in books about and sometimes get a glimpse of at weddings.
Their vows were so beautiful, I even got a tear or two in my eyes. I am a sucker for weddings and L.O.V.E!!!! It was one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever been to.
The flower girls looked absolutely gorgeous and not even to talk about the bride, she looked like STUNNING!
I haven't been to many weddings, but this scores a 10/10. The food was lovely, the venue was lovely and so cozy. The photographers even printed the photobooth photos on site and handed it to us an hour later, which I think is a awesome sentiment.
The other night we attended a beautiful wedding at Morrell's Boutique Hotel in Johannesburg. It is a lovely venue and I'm even considering, holding my 21st there.
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| An awesome photobooth |
Their vows were so beautiful, I even got a tear or two in my eyes. I am a sucker for weddings and L.O.V.E!!!! It was one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever been to.
The flower girls looked absolutely gorgeous and not even to talk about the bride, she looked like STUNNING!
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| The beautiful table setting |
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| Mom and me |
Weddings like these make me believe in fairy tales again...
What do you like about weddings? Please feel free to leave a comment :)
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Li'l sister is 5!
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
Five years ago, my whole world changed, with a baby girl named Mieka.
I grew up alone and always wished for a sibling. Be careful what you wish for, 'cause you might just get it!
She enriches our lives in so many ways, it's impossible to describe. It was tiring to play catch by myself!
She is a real princess and she loves wearing dresses, heels, tiaras and fairy wings. She is a real lady and a pretty one, at that.
She is the complete opposite of me. She is deathly scared of bugs, which is the opposite of me, because I used to catch them and play with them all day. And I disliked dresses a lot! I was the tomboy chasing the boys around with bugs haha!
Time flies when you are having fun! 5 years flew very fast and I cannot wait for the memories yet to come, with her.
I love you, my baby sis!
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| Mieka's ballet concert |
Five years ago, my whole world changed, with a baby girl named Mieka.
I grew up alone and always wished for a sibling. Be careful what you wish for, 'cause you might just get it!
She enriches our lives in so many ways, it's impossible to describe. It was tiring to play catch by myself!
She is a real princess and she loves wearing dresses, heels, tiaras and fairy wings. She is a real lady and a pretty one, at that.
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| No cheese for this camera! |
She is the complete opposite of me. She is deathly scared of bugs, which is the opposite of me, because I used to catch them and play with them all day. And I disliked dresses a lot! I was the tomboy chasing the boys around with bugs haha!
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| Before gymnastics |
I love you, my baby sis!
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| My princess |
Thursday, December 19, 2013
For the love of SHOES!!!!!!!
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
So since I'm working in a shoe shop and because I absolutely love shoes. I have posted a few shoe memes that I have on my phone.
A girl should never chase after a boy, especially when she wears the right shoes...
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| I would not trust a guy like that, sounds like a charmer. (Funny his name is Prince Charming) |
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| My birth's month shoe. GORGEOUS!!! |
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| One day, when I am big... |
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| When one is not wearing shoes... |
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| Nikes for poor people |
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| Nothing beats Crocs, but this definitely gets 2nd place... |
“I never wear flats. My shoes are so high that sometimes when I step out of them, people look around in confusion and ask, "Where'd she go?" and I have to say, "I'm down here.” ― Marian Keyes
"Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world"
-Marilyn Monroe
"I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes."
-Oprah Winfrey
Which shoes do you like?
"Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world"
-Marilyn Monroe
"I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes."
-Oprah Winfrey
Which shoes do you like?
Bookworm by heart
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
I am a huge bookworm and I have my mom to thank for that, because she awakened my love for books. Every night she would read stories to me and she always encouraged me to read books. Often, we went to the library to take out some books. It was my heaven. My dream is still that I will one day write my own books.
You know you're a bookworm when...:
I am a huge bookworm and I have my mom to thank for that, because she awakened my love for books. Every night she would read stories to me and she always encouraged me to read books. Often, we went to the library to take out some books. It was my heaven. My dream is still that I will one day write my own books.
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| My bookshelf, excluding a lot of books on my nightstand |
You know you're a bookworm when...:
- You lost count on how many books you've read. I am far over the 100, maybe even in the 200's...
- You can read a 500 pager in less than 2 days.
- You run into every bookstore you see and all the books ask you to buy them.
- You know where most of the second hand bookstores are, because you can afford to buy lots of books with a tight budget.
- When you are bored, you will read almost anything, even a cookbook. Yip, that happened to me before.
- You know you are a good book reader, when you put a book down, because it is not going the way you want to. Later, you accept the fate of the book and decide to read further because it's all you have.
- You know the writing style of your favorite authors.
- Your bookshelf is overloaded with books and you don't know where to put them anymore. (First world problems)
- You are so caught up in the book, you don't hear anything going on around you.
- The characters becomes so much part of your life that you wish they were your actual friends.
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| My mom's bookshelf, excluding the ones on her nightstand |
My favorite author is James Patterson, he writes fiction books, but man oh man, is he good! Some of his books have been transformed into movies, like 'Along came a spider', 'Kiss the girls' and 'Alex Cross'.
Are you a bookworm? Who is your favorite author?
Monday, December 16, 2013
Jingle bells, jingle bells...
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
Don't you just love Christmas time? Me? I'm a sucker for it!
I love the Christmas songs, the decorations, the whole feeling... Some people hate it but I REALLY LOVE IT! For me it resembles a time of love and when family comes together.
I also love to do Christmas shopping and I always try to make my presents personal. I don't buy expensive gifts that has no meaning, I will even buy them a cold drink if i know that it is their favorite.
Like I mentioned, Christmas is a time when family comes together and every year me and my family go and watch beautiful lights in Randpark Ridge at 14 Appelblaar Avenue. So, if you would like to check it out, it is really worth it. Last night, we went there again and there were people camping out there and bring picnic baskets. There was even girls using their entrepreneurial skills by selling sodas!
Do you love Christmas? Please feel free to leave a comment :)
Don't you just love Christmas time? Me? I'm a sucker for it!
I love the Christmas songs, the decorations, the whole feeling... Some people hate it but I REALLY LOVE IT! For me it resembles a time of love and when family comes together.
I also love to do Christmas shopping and I always try to make my presents personal. I don't buy expensive gifts that has no meaning, I will even buy them a cold drink if i know that it is their favorite.
Do you love Christmas? Please feel free to leave a comment :)
Friday, December 13, 2013
Feeding elephants
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
One of our favorite activities for the holidays is to go to Glen Afric in the North-West. It is a beautiful restaurant,which overlooks the bushes and one can see a lot of animals and the highlight is of course to feed the elephants some carrots.
I am a huge nature freak and love these type of outings. I can spend the rest of my days out and about in nature!
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| Feeding elephants |
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| Bonding time |
Please feel free to leave a comment :)
Vacation at Mabula
By Arnia Kiara Oosthuizen
We were out of touch this week, because we were in paradise, also known as Mabula Game Lodge in Limpopo.
I am crazy about this place, because there is no city lights and noise of the city. All you could hear is the sounds of birds, bugs and animals.
There was no reception for cellphones, which was quite nice.
I, especially love the game drives, which they offer. You get to see 4 of the Big 5. The leopards almost never show their faces, so to see them is a special treat.
We also got to do a guided walk with a game ranger. He is very intelligent and showed us many amazing things. We also got the chance to walk with Rhinos, we were able to get within 20 meters of them. It is such a same that they are going extinct, but hopefully they can be preserved and that even our grandchildren will be able to see them.
There was a great kiddies program on for kids, which my sister enjoyed a lot.
We love going to Mabula, I don't know how many times I have been there, but each time I enjoyed it immensely. I hope we will be going there soon.
Please feel free to leave a comment :)
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| A giraffe |
We were out of touch this week, because we were in paradise, also known as Mabula Game Lodge in Limpopo.
I am crazy about this place, because there is no city lights and noise of the city. All you could hear is the sounds of birds, bugs and animals.
There was no reception for cellphones, which was quite nice.
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| On a guided walk, 20m away from Rhino |
We also got to do a guided walk with a game ranger. He is very intelligent and showed us many amazing things. We also got the chance to walk with Rhinos, we were able to get within 20 meters of them. It is such a same that they are going extinct, but hopefully they can be preserved and that even our grandchildren will be able to see them.
There was a great kiddies program on for kids, which my sister enjoyed a lot.
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| A crocodile demonstration for kids |
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| Grandma and me on a game drive in the rain |
Please feel free to leave a comment :)
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