It was really hard to get out of bed this morning. It hurt. And it was 7:00am! I didn’t have to be at work until 9:00am today. Tomorrow I have to be there at 8:00am, so I have to get up at 6:00am! I can’t even think about it.
I planned my outfits, but still managed to change my mind this morning. I wore my black “interview” slacks, a black shell and a red cardigan over it with a short red bead necklace and my black maryjanes. Very professional. I noticed that the uniform in the office is basically sweater sets and slacks, sweaters and slacks, blouses and slacks. I saw only 2 girls in the whole office wearing a skirt.
I would wear pants every day, if I had enough pants, but I only have one pair of black slacks and one pair of khaki slacks (say that three times fast!). So, I’m going to have to wear skirts and dresses. Once I get more comfy there, and I lose a little weight, I’ll start wearing my vintage work dresses. They’re professional in a very old-fashioned way! They look like what the secretaries wore in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING (if you’ve ever seen the great movie or the Broadway musical).
Eric drove me to work. It was nice to have his company, since I was pretty nervous.
He dropped me off and “made the rounds” of some sprinkler companies to fill out applications and look for work. He used Betty to get around. It was the first time he ever used Betty by himself. That was always my job. He managed to program it and she got him all around town as he went from place to place filling out applications. He brought home some applications, because they were so extensive, and one place actually gave him a test with math and measurements!
My first stop was the reception area on the 7th floor. I made friends with the receptionist, a sweet woman who was born and raised in San Diego. She told me about a Christmas in the 1960s where they actually had snow on the ground. That was the last time!
Someone gave me a tour of the office and I got my picture taken for my ID card. I also have a card key that lets you in on certain floors and operates the elevator. If you don't use the card key, the elevator won't move. That's security! I never saw that before. Then, she took me to my cubicle, which is very nice – a corner cube – and there’s no one on the other side either.
I met a whole bunch of people whose names I will never remember, unless they’re sitting at their desk and I can see their name on the door or cubicle wall. Everyone was extremely friendly. I was pleasantly surprised by the warm response I got when being introduced.
The company has floors 2-8. I work on 6. The cafeteria (very small and not very much to offer) is on 4; the mailroom/fulfillment center (where they print and bind documents) is on 5; reception is on 7 and the woman I’m working closely with is on 8. They actually have stairs you can take, so I used them most of the day and was up and down, from floor to floor all afternoon. I figured at least I wasn’t sitting all day getting “secretary spread.”
My new boss came in around 10:00am and left at noon to fly to a conference in San Francisco. So, I did some stuff for him and then he was gone. He left me with some projects, which I managed to finish by 2:00pm. I studied the tutorial for OUTLOOK, because I never used that before. I worked on some WORD documents, because it’s SO different from the word I currently have on my laptop. I had no idea what I was doing, but I managed to finish.
I had a NUTRISYSTEM lunch of black beans and rice. It was easy, because you just need to add boiling water. I also had grapes and a slice of low fat cheddar cheese. I ate by myself in the cafeteria. There were a lot of people there and they have a TV on in a separate area, but I just felt like relaxing by myself and I called my friend Jimmy, who had texted me to find out how I was.
By 3:30pm I was cleaning out the drawers, separating the rubberbands from the paperclips and organizing the files. I was bored out of my mind. If I could go on the internet and answer emails, shop, or read news stories it wouldn’t be so bad, but I have a GIANT screen on my computer, which makes it very obvious to anyone who passes by exactly what I’m up to. I’m not sure what the rules are, but I figured I shouldn’t be sending personal emails on my first day!
I also made one phone call – to make a dentist appointment for Eric. He’s going tomorrow at 5:15pm, after he picks me up from work. He likes the idea of driving me, because it’s just a 15 minute ride and there’s no traffic either way. That way he has the car if he wants or needs it. So, I guess I get a ride to work each day. Can’t beat that, can you?
I could not wait to get out of there at 5:00pm. It was just so boring having nothing to do. The woman who is training me promised that she’d help me with another project tomorrow, so I’d have more to do. I need to keep busy or the day will go on FOREVER!
Eric picked me up outside and we went to HAIKU for sushi. I wanted to go on Saturday night, but Eric wasn’t in the mood, but he was happy to go tonight. We had edamame, shumai and two rolls – spicy shrimp and spicy tuna. Yummy yum yum! David, the sushi chef asked about Jessica and April, who obviously made a great impression on him when I brought them in last Friday. He made us our rolls, which get bigger and bigger every time we go there. We only ordered two and had to take half of one home! We usually have the edamame, shumai and three rolls!
I told Eric about my day. Basically, it was fine. I feel a little overwhelmed because I’m not up-to-date on all the software, but I guess after a week or two I’ll figure it all out. The people were SO helpful and friendly, so I know that any help I need is just a phone call or a few steps away.
The man I’m working for is away until Friday, so I have a few days to acclimate myself to the software, my surroundings, and being at work 8-5!
I’m totally exhausted. I found myself yawning all afternoon, which I figured was because I was bored. Now, I’m home, in my pajamas, watching TV with Eric and opening mail. I am determined to go to bed by 10:00pm. I need a good night’s sleep if I’m going to be able to get out of bed at 6:00am tomorrow.
I feel good about my first day at work. I didn’t make any big mistakes, and I feel like I did a good job. Let’s see if I can keep it up!