Bringing back the first day...

Most of you that have just started reading probably haven't read too far back. But seeing as this is my last day at my first job- I figured I would re-post my excitement from my first day about 6 months ago:

"Day one has come and gone. My outfit was picked out before I went to bed on Sunday (Even though I slept for about 4 hours total...) I woke up at the crack of dawn. I rode the subway during major traffic hour where personal space is unheard of and arrived at orientation 45 minutes before I needed to be there. I filled out forms and filed paper work that might as well be written in hieroglyphics (they really should make tax forms user friendly, or at least dumb them down a little bit so the normal teen-adult like me can understand what they are talking about). I only brought a copy of my passport when I really needed the actual physical passport, so its being overnighted by my mom so I can be put into the system (a blip that of course that would happen to me...). I drank about 4 cups of very strong coffee because I did not get a lot of sleep last night. I wore my best trendy outfit and shoes that killed my calves and thighs by noon. I read more irrelevant material than I ever did in college (all syllabus weeks combined). I was given a desk with a phone, computer and notebook. But I was also not given a phone number, username, password or pen, making all the materials given useless. I was treated to lunch by a few of my supervisors. I sat through a meeting where I had no idea what was going on. I re-read the irrelevant information about 3 times until I knew the information backwards and forwards (I'll let you know if that information has anything to do with my actual job later). I took the subway home in rush hour and walked home in the poring rain with the cool purple umbrella they gave me. I can barley keep my eyes open. It's 8:30 and all I want to do is go to bed.

And guess what: I am loving every second of it.

This is what I wanted and couldn't ask for more. This job is going to be a perfect start for me. The people in the department are warming and welcoming. They actually like hanging out with each other and seem as if they enjoy working with each other as well.

From what I can see, this department is a place to grow, ask questions, learn, and excel. Who knows where I will end up or even what I will be doing for that matter. But what I do know is that I am suppose to be in this department- every tear and interview that I went through were all suppose to happen and I ended up right where I should have been the entire time.

Lesson Learned:

Bring original copies. of everything.

Peace, Love and purple company umbrellas,

B"

And now on my last day, I find it appropriate to show you guys my good-bye letter to the entire department:

" Dearest First Real Job Brandi Has Ever Had,

This will be Assistant Brandi's last e-mail to yall, as me, Assistant Brandi. I just wanted to thank all of you for such a great first job- I really have learned a ton from yall and absorbed everything. If only this office was somewhere that it didn't snow- like Miami or Australia....Ice skating in to work just isn't my thing. As many of you know, I am moving back to my home sweet home of Georgia on Sunday. I will truly miss all of you.

Seeing as the assistant position is a learning position for me being right out of college, here are a few things I have learned from working at First real job Brandi has ever had:

- Excel is the most important Microsoft system to learn.

-When ordering lunches, make sure to have it sent 15 minutes before the desired time.

-Copy machines really are the worst invention known to man. They work when they want and they do not care that there is a meeting in 3 minutes, it will do its job when it wants to.

-Instant messaging really is the easiest way to communicate in the office- no phone or walking necessary, but if you want something to get done- you still have to pick up the phone.

-I have learned to utilize all of my resources- and to ask myself, "have you tried EVERYTHING?"

-if you ever have a problem with UPS- go to the other assistant, they love her.

-The binding machine is my best friend. If it gives you problems, I'm sorry. It has a temper.

Those are just a few things I have learned here- but in all seriousness (I know my personality is far from serious, but still) Working with you all in this huge city has been the best learning experience so far in my 9 months out of college life and I will for sure keep yall in the loop of my next crazy adventure....

or you can read my blog too :) Maybe Seventeen will want to advertise on it....http://brandimax.blogspot.com/

Peace, Love and on to the next city,

Brandi"

Just funny and amazing how much I have evolved in the past 6 months. I do not believe that people ever really change, they are who they are: good, bad and different. But I do believe people can evolve into the person they are suppose to be and New York City has done this for me and so has working at Brandi's first real job ever.

Going to my last weekly Shabbat dinner at my girlfriends house tonight. We have created a nice little tradition and another tradition I will miss a lot. Every week (or almost every week) about 6 of us go to her house, drink wine, light candles and eat food. We do not necessarily do it for the religious aspect (although I do enjoy lighting the candles and singing the prayers), we do it for a sense of home. And the small sense of home I found in New York happens on Friday nights in her small 2 bedroom apartment in Murray Hill.

Just another thing I will miss added on to the list.

Peace, Love and times are changing :)

B