Confessions of a Recent Night Shift Worker
12.16.07. For the record, I don’t work as a call center agent. Recently though, we were required to provide night shift IT support for our client based abroad and because I’m not one of the senior executives of the company I considered it as a welcome change.
At first, I knew I’m going to have a tough time adjusting to this new shifting schedule (11pm to 8am, 3 weeks dayshift, 3weeks night shift). I’ve been so used to with the normal day shift that I could wake up at 4:30 AM instinctively, know what time the bus will arrive, work on my tasks as soon as I arrive at the office, finish most of them by EOD, then go home as early as possible (especially on Monday nights for Grey’s Anatomy) then repeat the same cycle the next day.
Since I was assigned on the second batch of resources who will be working on night shift, I had some time to prepare myself physically, emotionally and psychologically perhaps. I began entertaining the thought of moving to an apartment in the city. I did an online search for apartments or condo unit sharing in Boni or Ortigas area (not really pack by bag so soon!). For someone who has never lived away from family since birth, I initially thought this is exciting. Then after pondering it for more time, I realize that there are so many things in our house and in my room that I can’t trade for elsewhere. So I said to myself that I will first try to commute to work everyday and if I don’t find it practical or if I start have trouble sleeping, I might as well reconsider moving out.
Next on my preparation is to research for the last trip schedules of Saulog buses bound to Olongapo or Baguio. I got some tips from a few people on other safe alternatives I can try to go to office in Boni, EDSA. I also bought a small pillow I could bring to the office to use in case I decide to nap on the 1 hour break or to pillow-fight myself in case I feel sleepy during the working hours.
Finally on the Friday before I start my first night shift week, I had dinner with my friend Sarita at T.G.I. Friday’s in Bonifaci Global City (supposedly with Carol as well, but she was sick that time and could not come with us). Sarita instantly became my tour guide on this place, a perfect way to have my sort of ‘despedida’ because we probably won’t be seeing each other again till I return on my day shift on January.
So the anticipation and anxiety came to an end last Monday (121/10/07). The first two nights were the hardest in this week because the sleeping and eating pattern changed drastically so somehow the mind is still convincing the body to adapt (Dr. Phil’s comment on that). I sleep for an average of 5 hours each day. I never yet slept at work even during break time because I wear contact lenses. I eat generously and spend more money on food than I do on day shift (with confidence that I will be able to reimburse my food expenses with the meal allowance). I eat two heavy meals when I’m at home –one when I arrive and the other before I leave– but I’m confused which meal is to call the breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Commuting is easier when going to office at night than when going home the next morning. But in terms of safety, it’s the other way around. I missed the Saulog bus three times this week, so I had tried taking the EDSA route buses that pass along Rotonda in Bacoor. I take the Jasper Jean bus bound to Dasma going home everyday and drop at Bacoor. Then I take a baby bus to Salinas or should I call ‘bumpy bus’, which is the most uncomfortable part of this whole everyday commute since by that time the sun is already so up in the morning.
So far, I never had a major issue with traveling back and forth so I’m not leaving house anytime soon. No suspicious seatmate in buses yet, a couple of nice-looking ones actually. I try to be very vigilant while riding buses, as my friend Sarita has advised me. I noticed that since it is holiday season, there seems to be more people going inside buses to solicit money. You know the ones who do a not-so-rehearsed caroling or give multiple bible readings then pass white envelopes around. Most of the time, you will doubt if the intentions of these people are really pure.
I found it weird to be going home from work on a Saturday morning (first time) but there was a sense of fulfillment. I surprised myself on how I was able to pull off my first night shift week. I managed to work outside my comfort zone– never got sick, never found sleeping on work by my lead, or worst, cried because I couldn’t bear the situation anymore.
Two more weeks to go before I return to my normal shift, another three weeks of day shift then I’ll return to night shift. Yes, this crazy schedule might take some serious ‘getting-used-to’ so the next time you see me, don’t ask about the date or what of day of the week it is because my answer might not be correct. Ask me how I am and my answer will always be honest.
