First week of work!!

I'm back! I survived the first week! Yipeee!

My thoughts are sort of everywhere. I thought the training we had was useful, and it was nice to get to know my colleagues from across the firm. I also think it was great to ease in - our hotel was across the street from the firm's office, and I was able to go over to see Bryan and Eden during lunch breaks, and immediately after the festivities were over.

Eden got to "see" a lot of DC - I have pictures of her sleeping in front of many monuments! :) And we got to hang out with Meg, which was awesome - we miss her a lot. Maggie (her puggle) is HUGE! And sweet as ever. Bryan got to play tour guide to some friends of ours who were in the city for the first time (this was only Bryan's second time in DC... but he knew where the "big stuff" was).

I think this week was a good transition time. I was able to see Eden a lot Monday through Thursday, and then Friday was the first day away all day. I was very busy (more training, this time in Boston) so the day pretty much flew by. I missed her, and I missed Bryan, but I think we're all going to be OK!

That said, I am so amped about my firm. I love it so far. The people are awesome, which I already knew, and the firm's philosophy is really great. One reason I chose this firm is its balanced, practical approach to life and work. And it's already come into play. We have a "wellness" room for nursing mothers to pump in, and it's awesome. Not only is there a comfy chair, necessary for relaxation "getting things going" so to speak (sorry), there's a computer, so I can pump and work (and BILL!). And there's a fridge, to store whatever I pump. And best of all, there's a SINK so I can clean the parts of the pump!! And the room operates on a schedule, so I put myself in for certain times of the day, every day until January. Assuming that I can get away, I'm guaranteed to have the room, and I think it's going to be pretty easy keeping Eden on breastmilk. Also on Friday there was a Halloween party - everyone brought their kids in, and we had tons of ghosts and goblins (and a surprising number of Incredibles...) in the office, which was awesome. It was great to see that.

Another really exciting thing is I have an amazing secretary! I worked with her a lot last summer and I've been quietly hoping I would end up with her ever since. I'm really excited to get her opinions on a whole lot of things.

Maybe the most uplifting part of my day was walking in to my office at 5:00 for the first time and seeing a beautiful orchid plant from my wonderful, super thoughtful Aunt Gena, welcoming me!! It was nice to be reminded that there are people out there pulling for me, excited as I am. Getting all the good wishes from friends all over was so heartwarming, and that orchid brought it all into my home away from home. It made me tear up a little, and still does. I am not sure if that even makes sense...

Overall the week was good. I got plenty of time with Bryan and Eden, I'm excited about my job and look forward to getting started, and I feel incredibly supported by the people around me - whether here in Boston, back home in OK, or even out in the blogosphere. Thanks for the love!