June 1st, 2007. Another ordinary Friday for almost everybody. Significant day of my life – my first day at my first job.
A few calls from a few close people last evening kinda brought that Big Day Tomorrow feel with them. I was jittery, excited, nervous, tense, anxious and there was a slight feeling of the fact that life’s gonna change the next day onwards.
The day started with my alarm, a late-night sms from Mithu that MG Road’s seen violence the previous day so I should be careful, and there was also a message from Vidur wishing me luck one more time. Made me feel good.
While literally ‘dressing up’, I got a call from a ‘colleague’ that she’s leaving early so she’ll be early to pick me. Rush rush rush… got Bhai to drop me to my ‘pick-up point’, Ma came along for the thrill and I was on my way by 8:00 a.m.
The road had heavy traffic. It took almost an hour to reach office. We checked in at 8:57 a.m. and I was immediately shown my seat and my system. Right corner seat – but of the ‘bay area’, not the metro (:P). I’d been to the office once before so it wasn’t all new but the feel still was. The China, Uruguay, US EST, India, UK times on perfect analog clocks on the wall looked beautiful. One of the people who had interviewed me was so sweet today that I couldn’t believe that she actually managed to intimidate me earlier.
General administration stuff and admn induction/training were followed by a sequence of briefs and inductions by different project managers. All of them were in their positions because of their experience but with 4 different people, 4 different types were very evident. There was the definite leader, there was a passionate & intelligent personality, there was a dedicated & dilligent one and there was a plain, bored but still smart woman. [By the way, this is a women-dominated organisation. :)] It’s funny how I could notice all this. I mean, I wasn’t sitting there with the intention to judge any of them. It was simply evident.
And similarly, other new joinees were all verrry different from each other and I could easily gauge who’s the type to stay away from. Much thankfully, that one is on a different project than me to begin with. Although, she did get the project that I think I might have enjoyed more. But I’m cool with that. I generally tend to do better when I don’t get the best or the most interesting things too easily. Coming back, all this somehow makes that dawning of the realisation of growing-up clearer and perhaps more quantitatively visible. I know my ‘vibe-system’ has been in place for a long time now but this is different. This is what probably age brings. And that way, this first day was very different from the first day at college. I wasn’t too eager to even start chatting up any random person. I wanted to take my time ‘coz here you gotta know what you say to whom. And also, I’m in no search for friends here. It’ll be great if I make some, and it’ll definitely make life easier here but I’ll let that take its own time. But I’m sure I still must not have come across as quiet by any standards. π
Funny thing. Now my passion (IF we can call it that already) for photography is hardly a few days old but guess what happened. One of those managers had to wait to begin her presentation ‘coz two analysts were missing. So in the meanwhile she started talking to me and one other new analyst. General stuff – college, family,etc,etc. So I mentioned photography as my new interest. π Turned out that the woman bought a Canon 400D last year-end. We discussed how she started, what I’m planning to buy, and I am very sure that I heard the words shit and fuck from her too. She’s cool! I’m gonna be taking my camera to office as soon as I get it… my senior wants to see it bhai! She’s also from my college. ha! Oh, the funny thing… that other analyst was zonked out just like I used to be till not so long ago because of the Greek about lenses, etc that was being discussed. Funnn. π
So, till about 4:45 p.m. we were more or less in the training room. I got some reading material after that and my brain was not registering a single word of what I was reading. I think I’ll soon be on tea too. It’s hard work. Anyway. Took a break, washed my face and read for an hour. And that was when we ‘logged off’. π
Did I say that traffic was heavy in the morning? I meant evening. CRAZY!!
Came home and nicely pulled a muscle. So, lots of pain and crying-shrying too. But I’m better now assuming that a fucked-up neck/shoulder can’t let you sit in front of the pc after such a long day.
This was a very long and extremely detailed post. Thanks for bearing if you’re still here. This is one post that I contemplated writing about for a very long time. The part of me that’s undergoing transition did not want it up here, but the opinion of the one that finally dominated doesn’t sound too bad still.
It’s a Friday night and that’s why I’m still up till 1:00 a.m. Other nights I’m gonna be a good girl. π
Good night, people!
‘See you Monday’ sounded so cool in my head. π
Fuchsia 
Awwwwwwwweeeeeeee! What a superb post.I love such detailed posts…especially when I am the FIRST to comment over them..Hey don’t become a weekday blogger like most people do.On weekends they do nothing not even blog. π¦
LikeLike
Heya! First day ar office sounds so cool! And your colleague came to pick ya up! Awesome!You’ll get used to the long hours, I guess!Your place sounds like fun! Have a ball girl! :DAnd hey, I messaged you too!
LikeLike
EUOyyyiiiii!!! And I just love such comments…especially when they’re on my blog. :PWeekday blogger? Hmm…let’s see. IshaniOf course you messaged too. When I wrote about the calls, it got included in that. :)Office seems good enough so far. Let’s hope I can have fun.
LikeLike
sounds like a decent first day to start with………u will notice lot of things in inital few days and then u will just merge with them and all these stuff wont stand out anymore…….so keep challenging urself…….good luck π btw there used to be a gal who used to frown upon us poor guys talking abt cams/lenses etc few months back……now here she is talking abt it on her first day of job , first meeting and with her boss….and even looking forward to it…………….life is weird but beautiful π
LikeLike
Ah…the first day! All the best for the future.
LikeLike
This is the first detailed post that I’ve seen on ur blog and I loved it. U have expressed ur feelings so nicely. So, CONGRATULATIONS on getting the job. Also, Best of Luck for the future.:-)
LikeLike
Oh, I forgot to comment on the new template. It’s good, but for all reasons, the previous one was much better. But, I like ur photograph. I think u shud always keep it on ur template.
LikeLike
Loved this post! And I’m sure you know why. :)Wow, your colleague picked you up? Cool! Nice, considerate people you have there. πMa came along for the thrillSo sweet! :)I wonder why yopu didn’t italicise the words, ‘my seat and my system’.And also, I’m in no search for friends here.My sentiments exactly! Seriously, I haven’t even thought of making ‘friends’ here. They are my colleagues and that’s what they’ll always be. Of course, there’ll be people whose company I’ll enjoy, but friends, I don’t think we’ll ever be.
LikeLike
@ Jayant”Seriously, I haven’t even thought of making ‘friends’ here. They are my colleagues and that’s what they’ll always be. Of course, there’ll be people whose company I’ll enjoy, but friends, I don’t think we’ll ever be.”Really?We will see…when you have colleagues who help you, bail you out of trouble, make those 8-10 hours of your office life enormous fun, who see you everyday and you see everyday, and who are there to witness some of the most important changes your life will ever undergo. I will check with you again a few years down the line by which time your professional life would have consumed you a bit more, when it will prevent you from hanging out with those who are friends today as much as you would like, just as their careers will prevent them too. When you would have possibly moved out of your present comfort zone only to be thrown in to a whole new city. Where will you go around seeking friends then if not in your office to start with? Seven years ago, when I graduated from Stephen’s, life was unimaginable without my friends from there. Today, it’s down to an occasional email. But with some ex-“colleagues” the equation is far more potent. Nothing remarkable there, just a graph that our lives are meant to follow. So I will check with you about this “colleagues will never be friends” take two years from now, or who knows, in may be three months.
LikeLike
DKHmm…I guess that’s the natural process…you merge with your surroundings over time. Let’s see how soon. :)Thanks.hehee….I think I know that girl. :PYeah, life’s weird. πWoodsmokeThank you.SinjiniHey thanks for such a lovely comment. And thanks for the wishes too. :-)About the template – I just felt like changing it. Will keep your opinion in mind for the next time. Thanks.:)Jayant:-)I met that colleague when I went there last and fixed this ‘picking up’ with her then. Very sweet woman.I don’t know why I didn’t italicise it either. :DAnd I was gonna say the same – don’t look for friends but don’t be so closed to the idea either. Maybe it’s a better way to look at things. What say?
LikeLike
Yeah a fairly detailed post. π All the best for the whole thing.@ JayantI’m with SayanDi. Okay, here goes. Last year I interned for about six weeks in a well known ad agency. Even today I hang out with majority of the guys, go for gigs, and share stuff. Trust me, with time you will be increasingly fond of your colleagues and seniors and before you know you’d be friends. π So here’s looking to a good time with friends at work. π
LikeLike
@ Woodsmoke, Rohit & Richa: I’m not saying that I’ll never be friends with any colleague. That’s not humanly possible. Atleast for me it’s not.What I meant was that I’m only here for a short period of time and I’d much rather utilise that time for personal growth and some ‘me time’ than making an effort to forge personal relationships with my co-workers. As I said, a li’l socialising never hurt anyone and I’m not against that per se. Just don’t wanna get carried away, that’s all.
LikeLike
who tha F$%@!#!#$! cares about the frnds n colleagues… all i care about is the work…. and so should you …btw.. welcome to the corporate world and enjoy every bit of it! the best part would be the ‘first pay cheque’ its the best thing possible!enjoy your drive to office everyday and also relish the drive back home….catch up on the dinner table with your family and tell them your experiences….life is cruel….so enjoy as much as you can everyday.Btw.. I loved the way ur familyβ¦mom n bro participated and were a part of thisβ¦ as in for traveling and also just coming along ο
LikeLike
Well….congratulations and all the best. I still remember my first day in my first job…and I think I would mention it in my call canter diary…afterall the first experiences mean a lot.Just one word of Caution…Don’t forget to enjoy and remember…We make colleagues at workplace…not friends…but go out and learn for yourself, its far more fun that ways!
LikeLike
Hi..wandered in from Bheja Fry..just read about your new job…Congrats! π
LikeLike
JayantFair enough. πAkashAgain! Sir, yes sir!! :DThanks for the warm welcome. I’m waiting for that first pay cheque. Have lots of plans already.:DI’m enjoying but haven’t started driving to work yet. Waise my driving skills almost killed me yesterday. So it’s not a pleasant feeling yet. :/yeah, I also liked that Ma and Bhai came along and then listened to my stories at night too. :)And I liked the fact that you read the post and left such a lovely comment. πKanuThanks for the wishes. And yes, I agree that learning things yourself is the best way to go. πJanefieldHey thanks! π
LikeLike
Its good to know that you enjoyed your first day!!! Nothing like it :)And I agree with you about friends at workplace. I would say dont try and get too close…remember its not the same thing as college and therefore you have to make sure you maintain the distance!
LikeLike
Hi..Reading your blog forthe first time.Your detailed blog made me recollect my first day at work. I joined a Call Center, around four years back. My first day , I reached office at 8 PM, something like that..and then after dineer there was a training session..all i remember now was I fell asleep and many like me did the same…Some guy woke me up early morning and told me the cab to north delhi was leaving. I hurried and left. What I do remeeber is the ride to DU via DND Flyover..it was so nice, the breeze, the music, the strange atmosphere (sharing the cab with ppl I had nothing in comon with)..and the view of the long stretch in front…Friends – I agree with Sayantani. You can find great friends in office too. I did. But I also happen to be ‘greatly’ in touch with the girl whom I met on my first day of school and first day of college..Here’s wishing u great luck !
LikeLike
Sorry about typos. I never leave a great first impression..
LikeLike
B.Yep, first day was quite decent.And friends…yes. πDhoritriHi!Oh trainings! I know how I spend time during those sessions! Thankfully, I’ve succeeded in staying up. :DDND early in the morning sounds like an absolute delight. It is anyway always a pleasure to drive on it. The wind feels incredible.We’ll see about friends with time. :)Thanks for all the wishes. Keep visiting. π
LikeLike