Being the new girl again – First published August 28, 2012

At the end of August 2012 I had my first day in my dream job. After three years in a job I hated it was wonderful to be getting ready for something I actually looked forward to. Even so, I had lots of worries and doubts. The job description had been vague to say the least. In the interview Arabella seemed very nice but she was also very, very well spoken and I had visions of being slightly outclassed if everyone else in the office was the same. After all I’m a working class girl. Then there were all the worries about being about to do the job. What if I was completely out of my depth? You could write what I knew about cruises on the back of a postage stamp. All this led to a very fraught first morning.

August 28 2012

This morning didn’t start too well. I couldn’t find my ‘computer looking at glasses’. The search started quite calmly, looking in the normal places but, as I eliminated them one by one and still couldn’t find the glasses, it became more frantic and my stomach became more knotted. It wouldn’t look good if I spent the whole day squinting myopically at the screen. Eventually I went back to the places I’d already searched and, sure enough, they were in the drawer in the gym, the one that’s a tangle of chargers and bits of rubbish, exactly where I’d first looked. They were pushed right to the back though so I’d obviously been a bit panicked in my first search and missed them. Note to self, search properly and avoid panic. I wouldn’t mind but I’ve got two pairs and couldn’t find either of them, goodness knows where the others are.

Although my new office is within easy walking distance I caught the bus this morning. I know it’s a bit of a cop out but I didn’t want to be late on my first day. As it was I was early and had time to have a stroll through the parks which was nice. I have to say I was a bit too nervous to really appreciate it though. It was nice that the security guard was expecting me and greeted me by name. I’m thinking he must have been given a description and that got me wondering what my distinguishing features are, short, blonde, a bit chubby with black glasses probably. A few years ago that would have been short, morbidly obese etc etc so it has to be an improvement. Arabella, my new Boss Lady, met me at the lift and took me round introducing me to everyone. Luckily it’s a small office so I think I’ll remember all their names fairly soon. There was one familiar face, Gigi, which was nice. She sits quite near me and it was like being in a time warp hearing her voice from time to time throughout the day, a bit like being back at my old job at Dream Factory.

Most of today I was sending emails asking the various entertainers for their availability for next year. A nice easy start to break me in gently. Everyone is very friendly and approachable which is good. I can see I’m probably going to need a lot of help over the coming months as there’s a lot to learn and remember. At lunch time I went for a little walk around the block so at least I got some exercise in.

Tonight I accidentally stayed late because Arabella went into a meeting and I was so engrossed in sorting through the emails to check I’d sent them all and updating my shiny new To Do spreadsheet that I didn’t notice the time. It actually proved to be a blessing in disguise though because Gigi was in the same meeting and she gave me a lift home.

The one thing I did miss from Mad House, apart from my lovely friends,  was the canteen, or to be more specific, the coffee machine and the fruit pots made specially by the chef. Of course I took a nice healthy lunch and there is a little kitchen where you can make coffee but it isn’t the same as getting a freshly brewed latte and a delicious pot of fresh fruit. Still, I’m not grumbling I wouldn’t go back for all the money in the Bank of England. Wonder what tomorrow has to bring? At least I won’t be as nervous in the morning.