15 June 2009

Hospitality, Reed style

Waiting on the desk in my office: a lovely bag, decorated with the Reed griffin, filled with all manner of treats: a mug, a pen, not one but two chocolate bars, a mousepad, more candy . . . oh, and a pretty card, signed by my department.

Lots of new faces, lots of friendly greetings, lots of offers of help.

A delicious department lunch.

Plenty of time to settle into my new office, get familiar with my computer, fill out the load of forms from HR, and just take in my new surroundings.

The news that two of my department-mates run at lunch and would welcome my company! Plus, I have full use of the campus athletic facilities, including a pool, weight room, etc.

A gorgeous, sunny, warm, lovely day, probably the nicest day since I've arrived in Portland. In a way, this was a bummer since I had to be at work. But it sure makes a beautiful campus look all the better.

On the home front: a sweet, gentle nanny who was ten minutes early despite a rather lengthy commute on public transportation. Reports (verified by my mom, who works from home) of play-dough, a trip to the park, and lots of stories. I think I found a good one.

It was a good first day, but I'm tired. Time for a glass of wine, a little down time, and then early to bed with a good book.

35 comments:

Stacey Brady said...

Congratulations! This is JUST the change you and your family needed. Know that John is with you 3 every step of the way, happy and at peace that his family is content in a new life. Hold on through the roller coaster of change and enjoy the thrill that will come from the ride. I wish ya'll much happiness!

Gloria said...

Woot sounds like you had a great day! This should be a sign of more good things to come!!

Pop and Ice said...

What a wonderful first day! May you have many more and may your children settle in comfortably as well!

Keen said...

That sounds heavenly. All of it.

Enjoy the wine and the book!

Karyn said...

Yeay! Congrats on a great first day; it sounds wonderful!

Mary Ellen said...

What a totally marvelous academic community you have entered into! Great good fortune, and well-deserved. I look forward to learning about your new colleagues and your work as it unfolds. (Reed was the college I dreamed of going to many years ago, so I have still some romance about it.)

Kathryn said...

So glad you are happily launched :-)

mary said...

Snickollet is a Gryffindor! congrats on your new job, happy landings.

Amelie said...

What a great welcome. I'm so happy for you!

Alison said...

It must be weird for you to get all these comments from people you don't know. But we of course feel like we know you! Just wanted to say I am so, so happy for you!

Elle said...

What a great first day. I hope this pattern holds. Congrats.

Susan said...

Wow Snick.....you couldn't have prescribed yourself any stronger medication for life, right!!! You are so well deserving of this. I, too, hope this continues and you simply love your new job and home. Glad to hear about the nannie too. That makes it so much easier to go to work.

Mama Mama Quite Contrary said...

Yay! What a wonderful beginning!

Jenbuster said...

Sounds like a fantastic first day, congrats!

Melissa in Grafton said...

I can only think of one word:

YAY!

:)

Hugs,
m

Cari said...

Congrats! That all sounds so wonderful! I'm so thrilled for you and the kiddos.

shmo said...

As bizzare as it sounds, your writing feels more relaxed and centered, as I'm assuming you're feeling, as well. So thrilled for you to be in a happy place!

LadyBug said...

This is wonderful! I am so happy that things are falling into place.

Sarah said...

Congratulations on everything! This post really made my day. I'm so glad things are working out well for you guys on the West Coast.

Anonymous said...

So glad to hear you had a nice first day! Portland just seems so "right" for you!

JC said...

Hope it continues to be a good place to work.
And, the nanny sounds good too

KatieP said...

I got shivers reading your post! You DESERVE this good job and nice nanny and I hope this all continutes for you!
I am SO impressed by you!!
K

Hollie said...

Good ole Reed.

Reckon I ought to wander over to your office and welcome you in person. :)

jules said...

You sound so incredibly content and I am so very happy for you!

What are you reading?

Anonymous said...

I went to Reed and loved it. It is a great community, very welcoming, and I hope you continue to enjoy it. Anytime you need a little break, try out the swings.

(and thanks for getting back to me about apt. location during your busy move.)
Sarah

Liz Jimenez said...

If that doesn't say "you made the right choice," then I don't know what does! I'm so glad to hear things are settling in well.

Lyndsay said...

Oh yay! I'm glad it went well! I hope it the first good day of many!

L. said...

I am so thrilled that everything is working out so well for you. We don't always get what we deserve, of course, but you totally deserve it. Lots of good wishes for you, M, & R from over here.

OTRgirl said...

That sounds wonderful. I'm really happy for you.

OTRgirl said...

That sounds wonderful. I'm really happy for you.

Azulao said...

So wonderful to hear *happy* news from someone amidst all the gloom around us! Congratulations and may there be many more such days in your immediate (and long term) future.

Sadia said...

I love working in higher ed. It's so family friendly!

My entire department treats my kids like beloved nieces.

Hooray for all of you!

Beth in CA said...

SO thrilled for you. This sounds like exactly the right thing at exactly the right time! Yay!!!

Not Hannah said...

Excellent! Glad things are looking positive...

Angela said...

Wow! It sounds like a really lovely first day of work, I am so very happy everything seems to be working out for you.