First Workday

Today I officially start work...or so I thought. I woke up early, made my sandwich baon, and went to Achi Cherryll's to hitch a ride with her to the office. It's a good thing she works in the same office or else transportation is going to be a big problem especially with Mang Berting gone for the whole week. And with the different schedules of my sisters, I think Pa should have allowed me to drive already. I've been practicing since...since forever anyway. I think it's about time. It's been long overdue. This is actually one of my biggest frustrations--getting to let my parents trust me into driving on my own.

So there I was waiting for instructions. I was asked to go down to HR to take a series of tests and fill several application forms as part of the company's procedures. Here I was gloating that I would not have to take a single test in my entire life anymore....and now I am doing it all over again. The past two months have been gruelling for me. Having to take long tests that took about 2.5-3 hours and go in for numerous interviews in various companies is something I am ready to be done and over with already. Not only are the exams too long...the wait is also long. You keep expecting to get a call and in the end, they don't call. All the effort, gone. Besides I don't think the tests are a true measurement of your skills and qualities. Anyway, finally after lunch, I was briefed by the HR girl on the company's requirements and policies such as the work hours, allowed leaves, absences, and etc. This is when reality finally hits me...I will never be able to go back to the stress-free life I had prior to getting this job. I can't do whatever I want anymore. Having a job does not seem to be such a good idea after all. These thoughts aside, I let myself be brought down to the Operations Department to meet the main head. He was gracious and polite contrary to what I have been hearing about him. I heard he was a monster. True enough, after several minutes in the office, I heard him shouting at somebody in the office. I definitely would not want to be in that person's shoes. After briefly introducing me to Jennifer, who was the next in line to him...I was allowed to leave early. So there, my supposedly first workday in a nutshell.

Perhaps tomorrow will officially be a workday. There are mixed feelings right now. I feel happy that I am officially off the unemployed bandwagon and now part of the workforce. Woohoo! But I also feel sad knowing that I will not have any free time to do the stuff that I want to do anymore. I can't play badminton with Candice every MWF anymore. I can't watch Friends every afternoon anymore. I can't go to the driving range. It sucks too knowing that my Saturday mornings are already reserved for work. I honestly do not know what to expect from this whole set-up. Perhaps the best thing to do is to expect nothing at all. There are lesser if not no disappointments this way.