I know it's only been one week. 

I know that every day will not be like this.

But I am so freaking happy in this new job it's insane!  Every day I find out something new that makes me so thankful that I got this opportunity. Let me fill you in.

Monday I got into work a little early because you should be early for your first day.  So they made me sit one of the the cafeterias.  Yes.  That is plural.  And they all look like this.  Imagine a room with natural colors, dark wood chairs around round wood tables.  In this room are two large stainless steel refrigerators, both clean and devoid of anything growing in them.  You'll find the standard microwaves (also clean), the wheel of death and pop machines.  But, in with the vending machines is another machine with bottles that look like small wine bottles.  Obviously its not wine, instead it's gormet iced tea!!!  Also energy drinks, bottles of milk.  And the snack machine has special "green" foods too.  At this point I think I'm going to like it here.

Then, as training starts, I am slightly nervous when I learn that training is only one week long.  How am I possibly going to learn everything I need to know in one week!!!!  Then, I find out that the job I was hired to do has changed.  "Uh oh" I think to myself, for this is never good.  "They have decided to cut out the Persistance part the job and you'll actually deal with the students for less than one session before you pass them on to the Academic Advisors." 

So let me get this  straight.  Now I don't have to do any sort of retention and will actually have to do less work?  My pay is the same right?  Yes.  Yes it is!!!  It's not even lunch time yet and I know I'm going to like working here.

The trainer takes me on a convoluted tour (seriously, this place is a maze.  Thank goodness I have a great sense of direction or I'm going to get lost.) and shows me to my desk.  My mouth drops open.  This seriously can't be my desk.  It's huge.  It's a corner desk with two sets of drawers and an overhead  compartment.  Also a desk light.  With this amazing (yet weird looking chair).  Coming later will be my computer with two monitors and my own phone line.  I see people sitting at folding tables underneath the window right by my desk.  They have been here longer than I.  Surely there has been some mistake and this desk should be theirs.  Nope.  It is mine.  I'm pretty sure I have died and gone to work heaven.

The trainer tells me that my supervisor will be up later in the week to talk to me about expectations because right now it's the busy time, the start of a new quarter.  I look about expecting to see people looking frusterated and unhappy.  Maybe I need to go back to the eye doctor because around me are smiling faces and a lightness in the air.  What the hell is this place like during the down time if this is the "busy" time? 

"I know I'm gonna like it here
Used to room in a tomb
Where i'd sit and freeze
Get me now, holy cow
Could someone pinch me please"

The rest of the week went like this.  The training went by relatively fast.  The job is quite simple in theory so I think I'm going to do really well.  They are really flexible about everything except the dress code.  My calls aren't monitored, there are no scripts.  There is no one standing over my shoulder all day and if I want to surf the internet I can (but apparently there is enough work I won't have time).  If I happen to be late, that's ok, I just make up the time.  My lunch is shorter than what I'm used to.  But hey, if I want to take an hour lunch, ok cool.  Just make that up as well.  People mostly work through their lunches anyway and they are HAPPY about it.  I'm pretty sure there is some sort of drug in the Kool-Aid here.  And I'm ok with it.  I'm drinking the Kool-Aid too.

Most Universities will give a discount to employees if they want to go to school.  How about free for me?  That's right.  If I wanted to take classes, I can do so for free.  I only have to pay for books.  Oh darn.

I feel like I'm going to wake up and I'll be back at Insight because all of this cannot be happening.  This company treats people like adults.  I can take breaks whenever I want with no limitations as to how long or how many.  I can go to lunch when I feel like it.  I just have to make 25 calls a day or talk for 90 minutes.  I almost fell at of my chair on that one.  Only 90 minutes!!!!!!   What the heck am I going to do with the rest of my day!?! 

I've left work every day with a smile on my face.  Even when I had to walk four blocks in the rain and got splashed by a car and was soaked I couldn't shake the smile that is perpetually stuck.  I am even happy about getting up at six a.m.!!!!  Me.  Wide awake at 6 a.m. and ok with it.  I had even had to figure out this week how to cut hours from my shift so I didn't go overtime.  I got to leave work at 4pm on Friday!!!!  Sorry Lisa for that taunting phone call.  Couldn't help myself.

So far the only downsides to this job is the building is cold as the "ghetto" back at Insight and they are going to force me to take my vacation every year.  But hey.  I don't have to schedule my personal time in advance and it can't be denied.  Because it's just that.  Personal time!!!  Guess I'll survive taking a vacation.

I'm so happy here.  I am so completely blessed that I am here.  I thank God every day for this.  But I miss my friends back in Ohio.  I miss everyone so much.  Not so much that I'm going to come back.  I'm not crazy.  But everyday I can't wait to call Heather and tell her how my day went.  And when I find out some other super fantastic way this new job beats the old one the first one I want to tell is Lisa.  I miss coming into work every day and stopping by Kelly's desk to make sure her day is going well and if not, try and cheer her up.  I miss talking to Tanja and telling her my crazy stories, being picked on by John and having crazy conversations with Rick.  Having all my friends here is the only thing that would make this job absolutely perfect.

They are still hiring come apply.  Trust me guys, you'll love it!  Come drink the Kool-Aid with me.