Today, I put on a suit and a pair of power heels and started what I hope to be my first career job. It’s a strange feeling to embark upon a career. Sounds so serious. Last night, I actually was somewhat nervous about it. For the first time in my life, there is not an end in sight. It’s not a summer internship because I am not going back to school. It’s not the Peace Corps. I don’t know when my next extended vacation will be. Even my free weekends and evenings frighten me slightly – what am I going to do with all that time?
That nervousness slowly dissipated as I made my morning commute. The weather was beautiful 75 degrees. I felt good. This is a new beginning. Whatever happens, life always seems to work out somehow. I got to work way too early, so I went across the street and had a coffee at the Starbucks in Waldorf-Astoria. I sat in that beautiful lobby, and felt very lucky.
My first day went beautifully. I am incredibly grateful to be doing exactly what I want to do just weeks after graduation. My brain, however, was not quite ready for all the stimulus. It’s been over a month since my last exam from Columbia, and my brain activity has been minimal at best in the best month. That little brain wasn’t quite ready for the information overload and extensive concentration. I wanted to crash into my bed the minute I stepped out of the office. Eeeish. Baby steps.
This is my new life. Big girl job with free nights & weekends. I am not sure why I was so nervous about embarking upon a career, because my life experiences in the past quarter of a century ARE a part of my career. I suppose after quarter of a century, it’s time to give this 9 to 5 thing a try. Perhaps I was nervous because no one ever associates excitement with a 9 to 5 job. A Twitter Peace Corps friend of mine shared that he started posting one picture a day of his life in the Peace Corps. What a great idea. Perhaps that’s what I’ll do to ensure I embrace all that life is offering each day.
Oh this is so awesome!! What do you do? I'm glad you found a job though. I remember when we met up that day, you weren't sure what you were going to do or what was going to happen next. How did you hear about your current position?