First week down; enter week two

So, I started a new job last week. As many of you have experienced, this can be extremely nerve-wracking. My biggest concern on day one was the photograph taken on my first day for my security badge. Apparently, this photo will live with you forever; it is one of the few things in this life that will constantly stay the same: you get older, succumbing to grey hair and wrinkles, and the photo stays the same. I can only hope that I am fortunate enough that in thirty years I can look back at my security badge and realize that I haven't changed that much. Wishful thinking.

Second task was taking a tour of the facilities. The campus is amazingly huge to a gal used to an office equipped for three full-time staffers. It's a ten-minute walk from my husband's office to my own. I've decided that this has to be around half a mile, perhaps even more, as I walk at a speedy clip. One of these days I'll remember to nerd-up and wear my pedometer from one end of the hallway chain to the other. High Point: the guaranteed one-mile round-trip definitely slices down the guilt that consumes me at my 3:00 PM snack time (which often enough consists of a huge cookie). 

From that point, it was a series of orientation meetings and web-based training courses. These can be extremely handy: I had no idea that you should disengage your air-bag or get pedal extenders if you have to sit closer than ten inches from your steering wheel. Considering I'm pushing 5'2" on a good day, this is a helpful tidbit to keep nestled in the back of my mind. 

I don't know when I was so happy to leave work on a Friday-- not because I loathe the new job, but because it meant the first week was over. I had at least one week under my belt, and with any luck, orientation was over and it would be time to get down to business.

Monday, February 4, marked the start of week two. I was able to confidently navigate my way to my office, already a step up from last Monday. A glorious thing happened yesterday: tasks were assigned to me and I began working on projects. What a monumental moment! All of a sudden, my comfort level increased as my direction became stronger. 

Today was a continuation of yesterday, and even though I can only tout seven business days with the company, I feel like I marginally know what I'm doing. This is a great feeling.