Monday and Tuesday were crazy at work. After my lulling ease of last Thursday and Friday, wherein I read manuals and learned how to answer the phones, I was wondering just how they could justify paying me my salary.
Well, on Monday I finally got together with some people who've been sharing my job responsibilities while the Foundation was looking for a new administrative assistant. It was more than a little overwhelming. I felt like I'd just been dropped in the ocean and had better learn to swim or else. My head was certainly swimming.
Yesterday probably wouldn't have been too crazy except that the receptionist was out sick. As primary back-up for the phones, it fell to me to answer them. I've never fully appreciated what a receptionist does. They are fantastic people who deserve as many large raises as a company can afford. To add to my troubles, the lady who has offered to help me with phones as I'm learning ended up being in a meeting for close to four hours. My supervisor covered the phones for a while as I worked on a copying project for her, but I still spent the majority of the day smoothing out my "Northwest Lions Foundation and Eye Bank, this is Jonathan" and hopefully not putting too many people through to the wrong line. The accomplishment of which I'm most proud was when I was able to transfer a caller to someone's voicemail and still had time to pick up another line.
Today was easier. I did have phones for a little while, but the receptionist was back to work. I was able to catch up on a few of the many projects I'd received over the previous two days. I even had some time for straightening up parts of my desk at the end of the day. Hopefully I can get the rest of my projects in line early in the day tomorrow.
Things I'm learning:
1. I miss teaching.
2. It isn't possible to complete every project all in one day (at least not yet).
3. If at all possible, leave the office right at 5:30 so you can catch the 28 bus instead of the 15. Not only does the 28 leave earlier, the commute is about fifteen to twenty minutes shorter than the 15's non-express route.
4. Drinking hot/warm water has become an addictive habit. (Drat you, China!) ;-)
After being in China for several years, I have developed the same habit. This summer my parents caught me in the kitchen heating some water up. Amazing how strange it seems at first, and how comforting it becomes after awhile. :)
Posted by: Lisa Lynnae at October 1, 2004 2:37 AM