Radisson hotel is located on the Nevskiy prospect which is the main street in our city. Considering this, I was proud of myself that I was working in this hotel. Well, it’s not only about the pride. I just can’t put my finger on it properly: how could have I ended so luckily to be allowed to work in such a hotel? I consider it as a luck because there isn’t better status than five-star hotel, is it? At least, in our country. Or, maybe, impossible is nothing? They just say it’s difficult to get a job in such a place but how did they find out if they themselves work in a college? I think, a lot of talks in our alma mater are useless, or even harmful. They teach us things that don’t exist and are expecting us to be successful. How so? I would to like to have theoretical knowledge hand with hand with practical one, but would they listen? Yeah, sure, we have two one-month long time practices but it’s not enough! Besides, we don’t get that kind of practice that we should. A lot of guys from our group have been working mades instead of receptionists. Will they be able to work in a hotel if they don’t get practical knowledge about the work they are supposed to do?

Well, I’m tired of trying convice them to do their work right and useful for us, students. Eventually, why am I bothering at all? I am able to run my life on my own and I can’t let myself to worry about others. They have their own heads on their shoulders, right? So, let them work it out on their own.

And let us come up a little closer to the main issue in our hot conversation – to the practice. I have already written more than five post about it in my Internet diaries but I can’t help myself. There is still one moment that I didn’t announce yet. It’s about that girl...
Well, let’s start from the beginning. When I saw her for the first time I don’t remember there was something special about her. I was nervous as hell because it was my first day in the hotel, and a lot of things passed by me unnoticed. Though, I do remember what I said to myself after I have met all the girls working that morning. I was amased how beautiful they were and was wondering how they could have accepted my proposal. Well, switchboards are not supposed to be beautiful but receptionists are. I have already told I’m not the biggest fan of myself, haven’t I?

The girl’s name is Julya. And I’m almost sure she’s about eight years older than me. Let’s count! She was waitress when the hotel was open, in 2001. She might have been nineteen or so in that moment. So, nine years have passed... How old is she? At least, she’s twenty eight, since adults are to be eighteen to have a right to get a long-term job. So, I guessed right. She’s much older than me but I don’t give a toss about it.

She is very beautiful. Stunning. Yet, a lot fragile sometimes. I didn’t notice at first but she’s so slim, I couldn’t imagine this can be possible. I have seen her photo in the magazine of our company: it was made about two or so years ago. She is much different now than she was, but the both views of her are striking. On that photo, by the by, she had more weight than she has now. I’m wondering, what could have happened to make it how it is now? I hope, it wasn’t a disease.

She is my boss, by the way. Was. I still can’t believe I’m no longer the part of that hotel’s environment. I feel as if I have worked there at least two years. It was really a pleasure to be there and to do my job and to had those wonderful people as my colleagues.

I’m used to type those passports of foreigners, and take quick looks at Julya. There was a wall in front of my work place, but it had an effect like a mirror has, so I could just lifted my head up a little and could saw her behind her work desk: typing something or reading from the computer screen or whatever it was, but I have never seen her with empty hands. She’s so much in love with the job that I’m dangerously impressed. I never thought before about my own stay-in late. Maybe, because of it? Because of the longing to see her more than allowed? No, stop it. I really enjoyed the job and the place. And I worked late because I wanted to work and had nothing to do at home. I think, there is no such a thing as a crush at all. I admire Julya, I respect her and am very fond of her but it’s because of her devoteness to her work. Nobody but her has such a hunger to work in the hotel, to make things right, to help guests and to be nice and friendly to everyone. I’m not sure if there is anything to make her lose her temper or be nervous. Well, she was a little nervous when we were saying good-bye to each other for the first time but it wasn’t exactly nervousness, it was vulnerability, I guess. I can swear, I saw something in her eyes, even if I have never been able to read somebody’s eyes. But it means nothing anyway. I like her a lot but I won’t be able to make a first move because I’m too scared to lose her at all. To let her lose that picture she has about me. I’m afraid some people can be so cruel to change their mind about somebody only because they have found out she’s gay. And I won’t risk it. Even if she is like such people, I won’t let myself to know it. I don’t want to lose that picture about her, either.