Green and Blue

Green and Blue, those are the colors of the walls in the EF building. I really like the building and the funny thing is that is where I feel the most comfortable and like at-home. I am starting to work on different trainings and projects and it is good to feel like I am not just waiting around. There was no real rush to get to work on Monday after I landed, but I thought that I should just throw myself into it instead of sitting around inside my room worrying about my first day. The funny thing is that I was really nervous to get dressed. I didn't want the other kids to make fun of me.

It is strange to be new again :) I was talking to a Kim and Eleacia at work before I left about a blog that we found where the guy referred to rise and repeat. I really liked the idea. It was referring to the fact that we are constantly moving through stages where we enter in not knowing anything about anything, then we get comfortable, confident, and then we rule, only to be moved to another stage where we are at the bottom of the food chain again. Take High School for instance. You enter in an awkward gangly teenager, okay maybe just me, and over time you find your grounding until you are a senior ruling the halls, only to be knocked down one more time when you enter college and have to start all over again, and this time without your parents. Just picture me...and awkward white girl who can't find her office and doesn't know where she is at any time. Okay, I am exaggerating - but you get my point. Even after completing my first week at work I am already feeling great! but mostly just exhausted.

I went shopping today in one of the markets and it was really nice. There was a fabric store there and I bought two pillow cases. Everything there is so beautiful and brightly colored. I wanted to get sheets and a light blanket for my bed, but I didn't take the measurements and didn't want to buy the wrong size. I don't know what India's return policies are. Anyway it gives me more time to decide between a hot pink and orange scheme - sounds gross, but it is really pretty; orange and yellow or yellow and green. Any votes? There were also these shoe stores and clothing stores. I am just so drawn to the bright colors that the women wear. I keep telling Alison that if she comes back in a year from now she is going to find me all dressed up in traditional neon clothes. I am going to have to make the girls in the office take me shopping. I can't wait!

So back to the office, I spent the first week adjusting to the office atmosphere, and meeting with all of the different teams. There are two teams. A north and a south, and each of those team are divided into two smaller teams with one person doing the Alpha position. Twelve in total. It is an open floor plan just like Boston and when everyone is talking - man it is loud. I like it the best when it is that way because it reminds me of home. It has been great so far and everyone has been really welcoming. There have been so many sweets and celebrations that I am stuffed before lunch comes around. It was one guy's birthday, one guy just had a baby and another one is getting married soon. Every time there is good news there are treats passed around by that person for the celebration.

Speaking of celebrations, before I left for India Rachel was telling me all about this Indian wedding that she is in the bridal party for and how they are so much fun and a week long celebration and if I can get invited to one while I am here that I should really try to...well it is week one and I have already been invited to a wedding. I know that I just fell into that, but man am I excited. For those of you whom the idea of inviting a stranger to your wedding is strange - I didn't get it at first either. I am quickly learning that you invite family, friends, colleagues and more. There are about 700-1000 people at the wedding all having a grand ole time and partying. I could be completely wrong, but that what I think I am going to at this point :) Looks like I will also get to wear that Sari that I bought for the holiday party one more time! Yes!