It's currently 1:26AM and I'm trying to get adjusted to the cold and gloomy weather of Washington. I'd say Seattle, WA but I'm really about 20 mins away from Seattle in a city called Federal Way. But same difference right haha. It wasn't until my boyfriend and I parted at the airport in Irvine that I truly felt alone. Once I boarded the plane I tried settling in and ended up knocking out right after take off. I left for Seattle yesterday morning around 7:00AM and landed at about 9:45AM about 15 mins earlier than I expected. I met up with the Operations director for Washington and Oregon near the baggage claim, which was quite comical because he and I stood about 10 feet away from each other, awkwardly glancing at each other every 5 mins, reluctant to find out if we were whom we both thought we were. After I saw the company sign he was holding, I quickly grabbed my bag and walked up to him, and he realized too that he knew it was me (except that I looked different with glasses on from the picture my boss sent him of me, in order for him to scope me out at the airport... who knew that the Clark Kent disguise really did work for some people). Once we stepped outside, I instantly felt the blistering cold stab my face about a hundred times, quickly realizing that I should've brought a hat or...a ski mask. After I got over the culture shock of the sudden temperature change, I started noticing the little differences in the environment. Growing up in southern California, you know that there aren't a ton of trees to go around. We have planted palm trees. And maybe some occasional tumbleweed in Chino Hills. Where I'm from, trees are definitely not the scenic focal point of tourists. Cruising down the interstate, I noticed two things instantly: the vast amount of trees on each side of the interstate and the gloomy, dark sky. The weather wasn't necessarily sad but I did feel as though I needed to be in front of a fireplace, under a warm blanket with a cup of hot chocolate.
I made small conversation with Rey, the Operations Director representing Washington and Oregon. He quickly indulged in his personal life rather quickly which I find quite odd because it's not the first time it's happened since I started working for the company. I'm not sure if it's because of the environment and atmosphere of the company (meaning, the level of comfort is fairly high) or if it's just the type of conversations that adults at the age range of about their late 30s-50s have (meaning, they pretty much love to talk about their personal lives to their co-workers because...they don't have that many friends? LOL ok it's just a thought). Not that it bothers me, but its something I'm still trying to get adjusted to. Then again this IS the first job where I'm predominantly working with co-workers whom are older than me by about 6 or 7 years at the least. From meeting all the employees in the California region, and having met a portion of the employees here in Federal Way, I can safely say that I'm the youngest employee throughout the whole company. Second to me in age would probably be some of the technicians in California that are 27 or 28, which is still a wide gap from myself. I haven't met my trainer yet though so hopefully she'll be a breath a fresh air since she's about 30 years old or so.
This being my third week at my job now, I know now that this is only a job to me. Quite frankly, I don't think little girls grow up dreaming to be receptionists. I don't even think I knew what a receptionist was until I was maybe 11 or 12. And even then, I didn't think it was the most glamorous job out there. Unless you're a receptionist for a company you WANT to work for. Like Audrina in The Hills (I KNOW, most of you hate me for even referring to that show for a comparison but it was the first thought that came to mind HAHA) she was a receptionist for Quixote Studios, a film and photo studio in L.A. and then moved into PR for Epic Records. I know it's a show, but she was working for a company that she liked! I like my job, it's nothing extremely difficult, but I know I definitely see myself somewhere else in 3 years or 4 years. Where my career path will take me, we'll just have to wait and see.
Luann
