Monday, March 12, 2012

Day 1

I am now officially an SEC attorney. I have been sworn in, vowing to uphold the constitution (and, I assume, all the various securities regulations), and I have found the kitchen, supply closet (pens!), and shortest route to the bathroom. I have an office with my relocated orchid and a newly stocked snack drawer. I already miss the firm fridge full of diet cokes and the spigot of hot water for my tea (no tea! I haven't figured out how to cope with that yet- perhaps an in-office hot/cold water dispenser as a belated birthday gift to myself? a day without hot tea is not an option). I have exchanged handshakes with a large number of people and I have learned an even larger number of acronyms. I have been assigned four cases- cases that are MINE, that I get to run and own and act like a partner on (without the demanding client)- and I have already fallen completely in love with this job. It is going to be so incredibly awesome.

I woke up at 5:00 this morning and pulled out of my driveway at 6. I had to forcibly restrain myself from going upstairs and giving the kids a hug before I left- I didn't think JP would appreciate an early start to his morning, but it was hard and I miss them. I drove through extremely dense fog, stopped for a Starbucks at mile 100ish, and arrived at the office at precisely 9:02. I had some orientations, some ethics training (lots of ethics training, it's like the MPRE on steroids (except not, because that would be an ethics violation)), and exactly 3 minutes to "settle in" to my surprisingly large office. There was a group lunch where I impressed everyone by ordering (and finishing) the Woodshed Burger with three kinds of meat at Tim Love's new restaurant, some more orientating, and a case assignment meeting. My desk is already covered with paper. It feels good.

I left the office at 6:40, found my hotel (not bad for 2.5 stars), unpacked my now slightly wrinkled clothes from my suitcase, and set up my toiletries in the bathroom -- where I was confronted with my rumpled, faded, tired reflection in the giant mirror, and, obviously, felt the need to memorialize it all in a super special "first day" photograph:


I'm exhaling because I was tired and my makeup was sad looking, but I could also be impersonating a blowfish like I do for Claire every night at bathtime. I miss her pudgy little hands squishing my cheeks while she cackles with glee. Either way, it seemed an importantly terrible picture to record and show the entirety of the internet.

I was ready for dinner (or rather, the wine that I would order with dinner), so I went to put on jeans, finding that I'd accidentally packed the new pair I just ordered from gap and not my trusty comfy broken-in pair. I wasn't even sure I was going to keep these, but since I couldn't bear to wear my suit pants anymore, and going without wine was not an option, and there is no mini bar in a 2.5 star hotel, I pulled on the jeans, yanked off the tags, and out I went.


To an Italian restaurant located in the parking lot with a tasty house chianti. Some soup, a bunch of complimentary bread, and a dessert mint later, and it's time for bed. It has been a very long, moderately overwhelming, thoroughly wonderful day. I think I'm really, really going to love this job :).

20 comments:

  1. My husband is also a tea addict, and he keeps an electric tea kettle in his office for hot water. It heats up in about a minute.

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  2. Yep, I second the electric tea kettle. I've had one in my office since I started grad school.

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  3. Look at you! Office chic to hawt casual! Congrats on your first day!!

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  4. I second (third) the electric tea kettle! They were all over Ireland when we went, and now we both have them in our offices.

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  5. I have a Boden electric tea kettle that I love! That's a great idea.

    Love reading your account. You capture the exhilaration/exhaustion so well! Good luck on Day 2!

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  6. Maybe a Keurig? They are awesome! Wait for a coupon from Bed, Bath & Beyond.

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  7. I have no standards - I just microwave a mug of water and plop in a Lipton tea bag. Gets the job done.

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    1. I do this too! It's not a very zen way to make tea though :).

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  8. Way to go! My move is in 3 days!

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  9. Electric kettle.

    And how exciting to read about your first day--it's getting me fluttery for my first day.... in August :).

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  10. Congratulations. Be prepared for more culture shock as you settle in. I went from a fast paced private industry sales job to a job at the General Services Administration. It was not as carefully calculated a decision as yours, but swith from private to government is a shocker. I know you're going to do awesomely. No matter what the job there's always a break in period.

    I'll echo what someone else said above - Electric Kettle (available at Target for cheap). Is there a "water club" or "coffee club" - we had that at GSA. Also at the University where I now work. Those public agencies - can't buy anything personal with taxpayer money.

    Best to you!!

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  11. Glad you had a GREAT first day & are in love with the job. I'm a long time reader, however I usually read on google reader, so I hardly ever comment. Love your blog. Can't wait for pics of your office and your renovations!

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  12. Congratulations! I'm glad to hear the orchid has survived 3.5 years at the firm - I hope it (and you) continues to grow and flourish in this exciting new environment!

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  13. Electric Tea Kettle - I picked one up and use it constantly. I find the "hot shot" taps (which we do have in my government attorney office) aren't quite hot enough to really heat the tea properly. My electric kettle takes 90 seconds or so to come to a boil. Go out and buy one ASAP. They're not very expensive.

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  14. Congrats! What about an electric tea kettle? I had one in college in my dorm room. They heat the tea very fast and are economical.

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  15. I enjoyed the visit to your blog. Great posts. I have added myself as a follower.

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  16. Congratulations! Must feel great to finally make the move. Will they send you to the mothership for training? Let me know if you're in town - the SEC HQ is right in my neighborhood!

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  17. Congratulations! That's terrific. I'm very jealous of the solo cases.

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  18. I think I have that same shirt! Banana Republic?

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