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.