Just like a nervous kid, I woke up about two hours before my alarm was supposed to go off. I was nervous, apprehensive, excited. I laid in bed thinking about what today would be like. Would there be lots of cool people? Would they like me? I wondered what everyone was going to be like when I got there. I also started to panic about what I should wear my first day. I haven't given a second thought to what I have worn to work in the last 2 1/2 years, but today was different. Today I was not only in a new office, I was in a new country. I wanted to make sure I fit in with everyone and didn't do anything my first day that would warrant me becoming a social outcast. I could feel myself regressing 18 years into an insecure little third grader I settled on a pair of khaki pants, a green tank top and a pair of sandals. I figured that this was fashionably neutral enough to get by on the first day. I threw my laptop back pack on and headed out the door. On the way out, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. With the back pack and over-sized khakis, I really looked like I was 8. Seemed fitting.
I headed to work. Today it was absolutely beautiful out and I have a gorgeous walk to work. To get to where my work is, I have to walk across a footbridge that spans across Darling Harbour. I have to say, this is by far the most beautiful commute I've ever had to get to work. Though I wasn't doing myself any favors as far as 'fitting in' and 'not looking like a jackass' by stopping in the middle of the bridge to take pictures during morning rush hour, I figured it was worth it so you all could see what it looks like...
I got to work and the office is really cool. You walk in and the Google sign is decorated in a kind of jungle theme (I'll have to take and post pictures later) and there is a tire swing in the lobby. The entire office has huge windows with gorgeous views all around. In fact, this is the view I have from my seat...
Pretty sweet, huh?
My team was super nice, and one of the girls proceeded to introduce me to everyone in the office and tell me their titles which I promptly forgot 3 seconds after meeting them. Perhaps I still do have a bit more jet lag than I originally thought. Everyone seemed super friendly and I was getting more and more comfortable.
I think the highlight of the day was when I ventured into the micro kitchen and discovered the snacks they have in the Sydney micro kitchen. There were cheese wedges, really good potato chips (or crisps as they call them here), 'milk bottles' which essentially are marshmellows shaped like milk bottles dipped in sugar, snickers candy bars, carmello koalas and bacon and extra cheese cheetos. I'll type that again just so it really sinks in. BACON AND EXTRA CHEESE CHEETOS. I was in any 8 year old kid at a new schools heaven. Incidentally this heaven coincided nicely with my own. I did find it curious that despite Sydney's mini-kitchen being totally stocked with junk food awesomeness (presumably a representation of how Australians eat) and the mini kitchens in North America being much more health conscious, America is STILL the fattest country in the world. Australia comes in 3rd. Seriously, America, if the Aussies can eat all this crap and only be second runner up in fatty pants competition, then WTF are all of you eating?
Anyway, the rest of the day went along pretty smoothly. I was able to get a SIM card for my phone but unfortunately it still isn't activated yet. I definitely am beginning to recognize my reliance on my phone having not had one for the last few days, particularly because almost everything that I need to start doing here (getting an apartment, updating my forwarding phone numbers and addresses, etc.) requires the use of a phone.
Regardless, after my first day at the office, I threw on my back pack, looking every bit the 8 year old I did in the morning, and headed home. On my way home, I got checked out by a small group of boys who must have been about 17 years old. I was a little embarrassed cause this confirmed I looked about as young as I felt I did, but on the other hand...hey, I still got it. My commute home was equally as pleasant as in the morning as I also was able to take in these views...
Got back to my apartment, and began to see the value of having the keycard control all of the lights since all I had to do when I walked in was drop the card in and my entire apartment lit up, as opposed to me having to go around and turn each light on individually. This also makes sense that when I leave and take the key, they all turn off. Maybe there's more to that whole idea than I originally thought.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to continuing my adjustment. Tomorrow we have an all day team off-site that from what I understand will involve us going to Bondi, playing lawn bowling, which is essentially bochi ball and then going to dinner. Oh yeah, and drinking the whole time. I think I'll fit in just fine with this team.
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