Working Easy

It had been over 10 months since I last did a day’s work. 44 weeks between leaving one office and entering a new one. In that time I had seen some of the most spectacular things in my life and had many amazing experiences. It will come as no surprise then, that it was quite a shock to be back in an office environment and getting up for work 5 out of every 7 days. I think after the first few days, my mind and body expected a vacation. But no; this was definitely my life for the foreseeable future.

On the plus side, my choice in employer was partially attributed to the required commute (my employer is located in the bottom right corner of the picture below, and my apartment building is in the centre). I timed it on the first day (I feel it’s important to know such information for emergencies and well, generally knowing your limits). From leaving my front door to arriving at my desk takes a grand total of 7 minutes 38 seconds. Since this first timing, I have discovered that if I walk faster, time the road crossings right, and have good luck with the elevators in my building and at work, I can do the monumental commute in just over 4 minutes. So far, I haven’t needed to add running into the equation.

Thankfully my new manager seemed sympathetic to my new disposition in life and advised me to take it easy for my first couple of weeks. The standard working hours are 8:30 til 5:30 but he didn’t think it was worth me pushing beyond a 9 to 5 pattern for the first two weeks. Since then I have discovered that most people leave around 5 each evening and rarely does anyone actually arrive by 8:30 in the morning. This was not a firm of clock watches. But, where trust is given, results are expected.

The first couple of weeks have been a very steep learning curve. It was daunting enough just meeting the managers of the 100 staff on my floor, let alone trying to remember their names or even those of some of the consultants I’d been introduced to. The office seemed to grow every day as I saw another face I didn’t recognise or was introduced to one more manager. To combat this, everyone has been very welcoming and are all doing their best in making make me feel comfortable.

I’m recruiting in a new sector now – Financial Services – so have had to learn all the intricacies of a new industry. It’s strange to be starting fresh again after working so hard to establish a reputation and forge relationships in my previous position. But, perhaps that’s what I needed - a new challenge; a new start; something to keep the interest there.

At the end of my first week, I discovered another aspect of the better working lifestyle in New Zealand. At 16:30 every Friday, everyone is free to convene in the meeting room and start consuming as much as they want of red & white wine, and a selection of beers. There are also a few platters laid out with cheese, biscuits, bread, and dips. Few booze & food? I feel better about working again, already.

Also this month (in blogging terms, not calendrical), Lucie celebrated her 23rd birthday and I celebrated my 26th. I’m now closer to being 30 than 20, and feel the pressure looming of all those greater responsibilities in life. However, I’m still being optimistic and hope a lottery win will make them a little easier to face … or at least avoid a little longer. I think for both of us, having a birthday away from friends and family made it hit home how far away we really are, and how few people we actually know here. Yeah, I admit it, I felt a little sad when reading the messages on my cards but I’ll see them again someday.

Another cause for celebration this month was our one year anniversary. I doubt many people wouldn’t put money on this celebration occurring considering when we met, what we’ve been through, and what it took to get us together again, but we did it. We celebrated by going to the Observatory Restaurant in the Sky Tower. At 328 metres in height, it is the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere and with the restaurant being just below the viewing level, we had a spectacular backdrop to dinner. The meal was a seafood buffet, and taking after my father, I was determined to get my money’s worth. When we left the restaurant I had consumed 1 soup, 1 starter, 4 main courses, and 3 desserts. Sure, I felt slightly sick afterwards, but it was worth it.