Wow!

Okay, first week at new job done. And what a week it was. In many ways I was like a child checking the boundaries between what I can and cannot do. And in the process, I experienced a lot of first times.

It’s the first time that my first week at a job didn’t bore me.

Picture this. Day 1. Arrived in the morning, met with the HR. I was given the list of the things I need to complete for my pre-employment. I did the round of introductions. It’s a small office so we finished quickly. They showed me where I’m supposed to sit. Computer ready. And they gave me the best, most expensive chair. It’s one of those chairs where the beck rest is like stretched netting or something.

When I sat, I felt a chill. I was exactly in the line of fire of the aircon vent. I joked that I’d bring my winter jacket the following day because the coldness dulls my brain. I’m serious. It’s almost like the oils in my brain turn to lard, rendering me dull. They laughed.

I thought that was that. Until the guys at the other side of the room offered to exchange positions so that I don’t need to suffer. Wow!, I thought.

Come lunch, I teased Superman, one of the senior people at the office, to treat me to lunch being my first day and all. To my surprise, he said yes. In fact, he’s treating his whole team. Wow!, I thought again.

There we were, five persons, strangers to each other, laughing our way to lunch. We told stories and they tried to get to know me over Binalot. I told them that in my former office, one of my monikers is Wonder Woman. They laughed. They said they used to call themselves Fantastic Four. But now that I’m on board, they are expanding to Justice League. And I get to keep my handle. Seems simple enough on the surface, isn’t it? But it told me volumes.



After lunch, I went with Superman because he’s going to meet with SM City for an event. He asked me to come along because it’s really a Marketing project. So I went to my first meeting on my first day of the office. Yes, that’s a first time too. And since this is a small meeting, I was really expected to contribute to the meeting and not sit in. That’s another first for me.

On Tuesday, I went with Superman and started to look into LSM possibilities of whatever store we were at. Had another meeting. When we got back to the office, I got an invitation to join the office to an unofficial outing. Yes, Magenta. We have outings here. Even unofficial ones.

Wednesday, more meetings. I had been talking with Superman constantly because I bounce off my ideas to him and he gives me his inputs. I also help them out with their existing projects.

Thursday. The three guys on the other side of the room who offered to transfer have started to pack their things. I looked at them incredulously. My goodness! They weren’t kidding about transferring! Just to give you a better idea why this is just wonderfully accommodating of them, by doing what they offered to do, five people were transplanted: the three guys plus the two who were already sitting in my area. Wow!, I thought.

And that’s how my whole first week at my new job went. Except for the fact that I have to ask so many questions, it was like I’ve been there awhile. Wow!, I thought.

P.S.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that this is all a bed of roses. I’ve already learned of certain things that I know will not be easy to address. But that’s the thing, I knew I have people on my side. Not just there to listen but to help me work our way around it. And that they trust me enough to do what I ask them to do.

Credit for the picture goes to www.coverbrowser.com/covers/wow-comics