Update

Work at NPO is going well, and at the same time it's not.

I like a lot about my new job. I like the orderliness of office work. I like networking, being asked to think of new ideas and make a plan for something that currently has no structure. I like implementing that plan. I like making a to-do list and checking off each item as it's accomplished. I like discussing ideas with my coworkers, and I love the girls with whom I share an office. They are both around my age. My supervisor, who I will call Director, is a hilarious woman who is as passionate about food as I am. She loves to eat. She loves to think about eating. And she laughs. Loud and hard and suddenly, and it's wonderful. When Director lets loose, you hear her on the other side of the office. The other girl, whom I will call Roomie (she shares an office with me), is younger, a bit more idealistic, full of big ideas and passion. And she is brilliant at her job. She's good at inspiring others, she's good at creating materials for NPO. It's so nice to spend the day with them.

My coworkers have no idea how low key their lives are. I'd never tell them. The work that NPO does is extremely important, but in all honesty, the number of people it serves, at least over the summer, is remarkably low. (I am almost positive it will double or triple during the school year, but even then I doubt I will admit that it's "crazy" in the office.) It's nothing like the public school system. No matter how busy these people are, it will never reach that caliber.

It occurred to me today as I was driving home from work that I had passed a day in almost complete boredom. I struggled to find a way to pass the time. I managed (thanks to research as the fall back activity), but spent the day fighting the temptation to get online and blog. When I was bored at school, it was never a boredom of inactivity. It was always a boredom borne of routine.

Anyway. So that's some of the good. (Yes, right now, the inactivty-boredom is nice.)

On Tuesday though, there was some bad. I was called into Boss's office. (I think my boss sounds like Joan Cusack, but I haven't told anyone that yet.) I have a hard time reading her communication style. And on Tuesday I was called in to be reprimanded. It's barely two months and already I was receiving a rebuke. The reprimand was short, and sweet. I apologized. I'd give more details, but I'd like to keep anonymity, so I can't. Suffice it to say that after that meeting, I felt humiliated. Deflated. At a moment when I felt comfortable to be myself, Boss took offense. I truly am sorry I transgressed in her opinion, but... It makes me wonder how well I really fit in at NPO. If my normal self caused controversy, what can I do to prevent it in the future? How do I not act like myself?

I guess I'm still upset about it.