First Day Jitters (and not from nerves)

After a slight mix-up between corporate in GA and the Vancouver office, I started work today. 

I must back track just a bit....   The slight mix-up scared me silly!!   The only person I've spoken with on a regular basis before and during my hiring process is in Georgia. During our phone call, two weeks ago, she stated that I had several things I had to do prior to my start day (drug test, I-9 to be sent to GA, and misc other paperwork) and as soon as she receives all the info, she'd be calling me back.  I completed everything by Tuesday and I waited  *insert the Jeopardy theme song here* ....and waited.  Finally on Sunday night I put it on my "to-do" list to call her back.   On Monday morning, while meeting with friends for bagels she called me.  YAY a start date on the horizon.  UNTIL.....*dum dum duuuuuum* she asks me how my first day is going. 

Um, what?

She proceeded to say that I was to start today. 

Ummmmm, pardon me?  I think my hearing has just failed me.  Did you say I was to start today? 

She then asked if Vancouver office had called me regarding my start date - no they hadn't or I'd be sitting in an office rather than the bagel shop.  She then looked through paperwork and stated that I hadn't completed all the paperwork - YES, YES I DID!!  After a moment of silence, she said that she was going to call the Vanc. office and see what's happened.  She called me back about an hour later and stated that 1/2 of my paperwork landed in Vanc. and the other 1/2 in GA.  OY!!  Don't give me a heart attack!!  With that, she said that I would be starting 10am on Wednesday. 

So, I was all dressed and ready by 8:25 today.  Ok, I did have to take D to the bus (then it was decided that I'd just drive him to school).  I was at the HP building by 9:50 and waited *again insert Jeopardy song here* .....and waited in the lobby of the building.  HP offices are secure, so one cannot just walk in and roam around.  I must have a security badge and swipe card for the doors.  About 30 freezing minutes later, John came to get me.  I'll get back to the freezing part...

I was now 2 days behind in training from the other girl hired for the same position.   I'll be working with 2 accounts, Radio Shack and Micro Centers for their claims on instant rebate programs.  I'm excited!!  The training today was interesting.  Instant rebates on the consumer side are simple and easy, but on the back end, there's a lot of processing to be done!!  Lots of wheeling and dealing.  Who ever was in my position before must have left unexpectedly b/c some of my programs are MONTHS behind on getting paid.  So tomorrow I'm being thrown into the deep end and getting to work.  Which is totally exciting and really the only way I can learn the system is to work it. 

Freezing - I was told during my interview that there currently isn't any heat system on our side of the building and the a/c worked alllll tooo well this summer (temps ranged from 55-60).   When HP originally built the building, they had the servers, copiers...etc in the basement, so those things generated enough heat to pump through the building.   Well, now the basement is conference rooms, the gym and mail room.  So, I knew not to dress according to the 70+ degree weather outside, but rather for 50 degree's.  HOLY COW it's cold in there!!  Almost every chair has "the ugly office sweater" draped over it (oh, you know the one...the sweater you wouldn't dare wear in public, but for the $12 you paid for it, it's great for the office).  One girl had a blanket over her legs, another was wearing gloves....I'm not kidding, it's that cold!!  I'm told that they are working on getting heat into the building, but for now, I'll be using my down time trying to make "smoke" rings from my breath. 

New Building New Life!

For all of my Vancouver/Portland friends, you should be able to recognize the picture of the building.   

The new (original) HP building

YUP!, that's my new place of employment!  I.  GOT.  THE.  JOB!!!!!   I'll be working for Market Source an outsourced sales division of HP!!  HP!!  A huge $ multi-million business!!!  I'm a Sales Service Representative - fancy name for Customer Service Rep.  OMG!  I'm soooo freaking excited!  I wanted this job from the very beginning, I didn't leave anything to chance. I bought a new outfit for the interview, gave myself a manicure, brows were perfectly waxed, I researched the company.....I was ready for my interview on Tuesday. 

I knew I nailed it when I left the building, but again, this is a weird job market, so I wasn't 100% sure.  The man who conducted the interview had much in common with me - he's from MI (me from IL), he was a teacher (me too), he came from retail into this position (I'm still at Kohl's).  I'm also really really glad that I decided to change my outfit at the last minute; I had purchased a purple sweater to wear with the new skirt (black), but decided to wear my suit jacket instead.  When John came out, he was wearing a purple shirt and black pants!!  OMG!  That would've been weird!! 

Anyways, I have tons of paperwork to fill out and a drug test to take.  Start date is sometime during the week of the 25th.  YIPPPEEEE!!  I have a job.  A job which will pay my bills and rent AND maybe just maybe have a little extra at the end of each month.  I feel soooo relieved to have a job.  A job that I believe I'll love. 

Mystery Messages

I was reading updates on Facebook and a friend of mine had a link to a blog that discussed a rather humorous prank.  Can't wait to try it....

Listen to the Banana's

Hope you found it to be as funny as I did.  I would LOVE to write some messages for unsuspecting customers.....before reading this, I would've probably freaked out if this happened to me!

A First of First

I cannot believe that D is in 1st grade!!! OMG!  Where did the time go!  Well, he came home from school today and said that he loves his teacher.  He also didn't want me to take him to school today either! 

Last night we went to the Open House to meet his teacher and see his classroom.  While there, he got to see which classmates from last year are in his class this year.  Happy Day, Happy Day!  His girlfriend, Julia, is in his class.  When he saw her, he turned about 4 shades of read and barely even said hi to her.  Oh man, I'm in trouble -  this was the girl that he told me he wanted to kiss, but kissing wasn't allowed in Kindergarten.  Hmmmm, wonder if it's allowed in 1st grade? 

Happy First day of 1st Grade!