Welcome to the Real World

I never envisioned my life changing as much as it has the last two days that I've entered the "real world." I must admit though that it has been pretty exciting to be a working man, commuting on the subway both to and from work, getting paid, taking lunches around Midtown Manhattan and living the fast pace lifestyle I craved for so long. It's been a week since I first arrived in New York, and it's been an incredible week at that.

My first day at work was excited as expected. I was introduced to all my colleagues-- all of which seem very nice and are around my age range, professional but friendly. I was given my "office" a.k.a. cubicle on the corner. It was actually pretty cool to have a space to call my own-- it even has a door that I can close for some privacy. It's bigger and not as claustrophobic as I would have imagined. I spent most of my time organizing my computer, E-mail account, voicemail and desk ready for when I arrive each day. I was also given my list of clients, which consist of 6 ranging from cable communication corporations both U.S. and International to a pharmaceutical company. I've been briefly briefed on what the companies do, what we do for them and what I'll be doing. The exciting thing about my job is that it seems to have a lot of variety and not much routine, which will keep my interest peeked.

The office also has a lot of really fantastic qualities and perks, which make working for a smaller agency much better than a larger one. First, the experience I am expecting to get from this position is unfathomable. The thing with smaller firms (40 or so at mine) is that they trust you with a lot more work and responsibility than the larger ones. You are not there to simply do research or photo copies. Its not a glorified internship. Also, it was a pleasant surprise to learn that it was customary for two members of the the Investor Relations team (which is the team I work on) to take me out to lunch each day of this week. Mind you we work on Fifth Avenue (not modest by any means) so the restaurants I've dined at for lunch are the kind you casually stride by while glancing at the menu and think the prices are too ridiculous for what the meal consists of, but nevertheless I've had the opportunity to dine with four of my colleagues these past two days and its been a great experience to have them get to know me and visa versa. My only problem is (and if you know me- you know this is a reoccuring problem) is actually eating fast enough to keep up with conversation and the people I'm eating with. I really have to work on cutting that "pouch" down. haha.

The most brutal adjustment has been the schedule I've been on these past two days. I've managed to get myself on a little bit of a schedule, so that I can get some kind of "normalcy" in my life. On Monday I needed to be at work at 8:30 a.m. which I anticipated being a one time thing, but apparently my hours of work are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. assuming all my work is done. If not I could end up staying much, much later. Today (Tuesday) however I was to sit in on an earnings report conference call for one of my clients, so this mandated that I be in the office at 7:30 a.m. I couldn't tell you the last time I've been up at 6 a.m. I think I was still in high school. It's really draining. My day generally goes by pretty quickly, but there are moments when I find myself fighting off the sleep at my desk. I don't want to become that guy who becomes dependent on the caffeine fix because I'm worried that the day I stop I will be in this rage (I've heard some bad stories). I usually fight through it. The other challenge is leaving work. I get off at the same time that everyone and their grandmother gets off of work in New York and the U.S. so the subways are swamped. So by the time I actually sardine myself onto a train I am not home until 6:15-6:30 p.m. and I'm exhausted, but I refuse to take a nap because that will keep me awake until late in the night, so I've gotten a two week pass to the New York Sports Club which I tested out yesterday and was a great facility. Today, I went for a jog (its a silent 'J') around Fort Greene park just down the street from my apartment. Apparently, the guy who designed Central Park designed this park, so it was fun to go running up and down the hills to free my mind.

The rush of the city is intense and I've learned quickly that any rest you can get is appreciated and needed. I do feel a little worn out having only been here a week and trying to get acclamated to the environment, but one thing I have refused to let myself do is become tainted to the idea that I am living in New York City. This is what I've wanted since the first time I visited back in 3rd grade. Every morning I take the 'Q' train to Manhattan, which crosses the Manhattan bridge giving me a beautiful scenic shot of the famous Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and the Financial District both to and from work. I make sure to take a glance at the scene to remind me of how fortunate I am to be living my dream (sounds so cliche). I also take the opportunity as I walk in Midtown amidst the high rises to just take it all in. I mean my life has been so extreme within the past two years its incredible and I don't want to forget how I've felt or what I've experienced. I mean I went from being at a small-town highly populated Gainesville at 20 -- to one of the most expensive cities in the world (London) and abroad at 21 -- to graduating from UF and moving 3 days later to New York City at 22. That's a lot-- and I've loved every moment of it, I'm so appreciative of every moment and that's why I feel it necessary to 1) keep this blog to remind me 2) take a moment of each day to look around and realize what I'm doing, where I am and how far I've come.

How could I not be proud of myself? Anyways, its another early morning tomorrow (and for the rest of my life for that matter) so its time for a quick shower and bed, but New York is treating me well-- s0 thanks for asking. goodnight.