Adebelle

It’s Sunday night and was prancing about in my room. Bed had long covered by piles of clothes, long sleeves, collared, turtle neck, spaghetti stripe, skirt, scarves, trousers, blazers, you name it. I needed something that would project a positive image of me, confident, poised, capable and maybe down-to-earth. Not that I lack of those things but didn’t they said first impression is very crucial? We can’t exactly judge a book by its cover but still… I must have read it somewhere, purple is so my colour and it probably would bring me some luck. There you go; I think I’d got my pick.</span></strong></p>

Toying at the prospects of meeting cuties at the project site, I fell asleep grinning…

Gosh, I was gonna be late. It’s nearly 7 am and I hadn’t left the house. Hurried, rushed to my car and hit the road. As you can imagine, I got caught in the stupid jam just outside. Half cursing half calming myself down, I tried maneuvering my car to the right lane that leads to NPE. I must say, I don’t usually curse but those crazy and inconsiderate road users have almost turned me into a swearing machine. Maybe there’s a tad bit of exaggeration but I swear I swore the F word almost thrice yesterday. This is not good, not very ladylike I’d say.

My parents drove me from USJ to Menara Telekom via NPE on Saturday night, TWICE and I actually have a map drawn by them in hand. You see, am not well versed with the roads and everything and on top of everything, I just met two accidents… besides, I tend to get really panicky driving to unknown places. The map indeed was well drawn. Or, my memory is good?? Managed to reach Menara Telekom before 8 am and that was hell early!

Bumped into Dina at the lobby. Was relieved to see familiar face there. Together, we made way to floor where we were supposed to wait for someone to let us in. With lots of anticipation, I waited there for what it seemed like 20 minutes before a cute but sissy guy approached us and led us into the meeting room. After 1.5 hours of briefing we were good to go. I mean, our journeys had finally begun. We were ushered to meet the entire team in meeting room 1. They seemed like a bunch of nice people but you never know.

After rounds and rounds of self introductions, was seated down by team lead, a consultant before she went through the expectations she has of me and my job responsibilities. That’s when I’ve got shell-shocked. I fought back the temptation to run straight out to the door. I was overloaded with information and overwhelmed by the terms she used. ABAP, data cleansing, infotab… Question marks were all over my head and I kept trying to close my jaws. I almost never heard of those things in my entire life until then. Yes, I suffered what you called the ‘culture’ shock. First the big team cramming into one meeting room, where you sit side by side with your superior and there’s no partition between each and everyone, then new responsibilities and am supposed to be ‘up and running’ in no time. Besides, no access to MSN messenger and YM there and that’s almost like the end of the word for me.

I think I’ve been in the comfort zone too long and maybe it’s time to move out from it. After all, everyone needs a good change here and there some times, don’t we? I guess it’d take a day or two for me to settle down. There is definitely loads of reading to be done

If I were to rate my first day reporting to work on the scale of 1 -10, hmmm, maybe a 3?? Somehow, deep down, I know I will turn out just fine. It’s only a matter of time with a bit of perseverance and lots of prayers and faith.

Fret no more, I am going to embrace new challenges and make the most out of this experience. It’s almost seems like a calling by destiny. Corny but that seems like what it is.

Keep believing, keep striving, keep surviving, and keep smiling Adeline!!