I got up extra early yesterday, wanting to make a good impression by showing up in a timely manner for the new job(I tend to be punctuality challenged). I spent the morning running around my apartment and rushed a friend who had called to wish me well off the phone. I paused at two minutes to eight to glance at my email and it’s a good thing I did. My new supervisor had shot me a quick note, asking me not to come in until 10:30, because she had been on vacation and needed a little time to get settled before she could devote time to me. So instead of rushing out the door, I had a leisurely morning, finishing my coffee on my couch, with the remnants of Sunday’s newspaper.
I walked over to the new job, and was absolutely dripping when I arrived. I was immediately introduced around the office, face beet red and hair sticking up and down in a million directions. Probably not the best way to make a first impression.
I spent the rest of the day with “the new supe,” filling out payroll paperwork, learning about some of my new responsibilities and getting an introduction to the department email address (that’s going to be my responsibility).
What has been the most interesting for me about the this new job is that I’m not feeling really excited or nervous or anxious or really anything. Typically, I’m an anticipator. I look forward to the plane flight, the vacation, the birthday, the new school year (although that hasn’t happened in awhile) or the new job with deep emotion. But this time around, it has just felt so ordinary. My mom would probably tell me that this is what it’s like to grow up. I’m okay with growing up, but surrendering that new experience excitement is giving me pangs. Well, at least that’s some emotion.