Day Uno at The Firm

Just a quick note this morning to let you all know that yes, indeed, Day Uno at The Firm has come and gone, and it went fine.

So far, it’s been just orientation and training, basically, and that’s what the rest of this week will bring. I’ll be diving into more substantive work next week (with maybe a touch of it this week mixed in with the training and such).

I got to return to the office I had at the beginning of last summer, so it was a bit like "going home"! Plus, I have a wonderful neighbor, B., who is not only a delight but an exceptional paralegal. (Not like there were really any office locations where I wouldn’t have had a great neighbor, but I do really enjoy being next to B.!)

AND… my secretary? Is D.! That is so awesome, because I simply adore her. She and I have a solid bond over entertainment news and trivia, and she was the one who saved my origami frog that I made at my first Firm holiday dinner and gave it to me when I returned for the summer, which I found so incredibly sweet. Plus, she’s an outstanding, exceptional legal assistant, so I know that if I find myself lost or bamboozled about something, she’ll be a superb fount of information to help me find my direction again. I’m just tickled.

When D. saw me yesterday morning, she said, "Hello, new boss!" I told her, "Oh, come on now– we all know I work for you!" (Hey, I’ve been on the other side of the desk, you know. I know the true hierarchy–a good legal assistant is invaluable!!)

I was very nervous driving to work yesterday, but as soon as I got there, most of that melted away. Not all of it, but I think that a little anticipatory nervousness is not necessarily a bad thing. L. (the other first-year associate) and I were joking that it’s so weird to have to be alert and functioning for a whole day now after having the entire month of August off to veg and relax. But in all honesty, it was kind of nice. I was very happy to return.

And every first day has its downside. Mine? Missing the dogs. I was worried about spoiling them by pouring attention over them all summer, but I think I wound up spoiling me. I couldn’t wait to get home and give Rosco a big hug and to see Ernie taunt me with his toy of choice. I wonder what The Firm’s policy is on dogs in the office? I’ll have to look into that.

So, I’m off to get ready for Day Dos (and no, I don’t actually intend to count every single day of my career). And yes, I am actually looking forward to it. Just being back in the office brought back that feeling of, "Oh man, I can’t wait until the next research puzzle." Because I am an utter dork that way, and I get a total kick out of presenting some solid research to an assigning attorney.

Okay, so this wasn’t quite as "quick" as I thought it would be. But I’m all giddy with excitement again, so whaddya expect?

More later… for now, The New Attorney On The Block needs to get herself ready for work!