She Works Hard for the Money

(Bonus point awarded if you can correctly name the person who sang the some on which the title of this post is based).

Happily, I have now joined the ranks of the gainfully employed. My first day of my new job was Monday and, after day three, I can honestly say I am enjoying my new-found productivity and purpose!

My work here will be similar in some ways to the work I was doing in St. Louis and will also provide me with the opportunity to learn some new skills and get some new professional experience. Right now things are a bit slow as I am mostly reading and getting oriented, but I think I will be thankful for that transition time in the long run.

I am working for a very large organization, with offices all across the UK. I personally work in a lovely building by the docks that houses three programs for Barnardo's in Edinburgh. Each program has its own office room that is then shared by the program staff. So, that mean I share an office with three to four other women each day. I haven't shared an office since my days working in Charlottesville and I do miss my office in St. Louis, but it has provided a great opportunity to get to know my new colleagues and it makes the orientation process very easy. The girls I work with are all very nice and have been extremely welcoming. We are quite the international crowd too: an American (me), an Australian, an Irish-woman, a Scot, and an English gal. Today, we had a program meeting with another program with whom we are merging and I met another slew of very kind people.

There are some funny bits to my orientation process--one of which only serves to confirm my belief that the Brits have some deeply rooted fear of fire. As part of my orientation, I was shown the fire safety equipment, directed to the fire assembly point (in case of emergency) and will have to complete an online fire safety course. Seriously.

I am also walking to work in the mornings, which has proven to be a really lovely way to start the day. The fresh air and exercise are great and it's nice to do something active before sitting at a desk or in sessions all day long. It's about a 3 mile walk and takes me about 45 minutes. There is a very scenic path along the Waters of Leith which I can walk for the vast majority of the commute and avoid traffic, which is nice. I've also discovered a nice bike/foot path that runs parrallel to the Waters of Leith walkway which I also like, and it is a bit less muddy.

Yesterday and today I took a few pictures of the walk, so you can get a good picture. The sun is out less and less these days, with the sunrise occurring around 7:45am and setting just aftern 4:00pm.

This is just around the corner from our flat, where my walk begins.
Notice how dark it still is around 8:15.

A meadow I cross to go from the Water of Leith walkway to the cycle path. So soon after sunrise, there is always a mist rising from the grass.

About the 2/3rds point:Towards the end of the scenic route:

Just around the corner from my office is the downtown area of Leith. It's actually called "The Shore" although there isn't any beach area. It is, however, full of trendy cafes and shops. Leith seems to have a pretty varied presentation. This part is hip and cool but other parts are a little more run down and industrial.

The Shore

The office building where I work. This was taken when I left today at 4:45pm.
See how dark it is?

Other than the walking, sharing an office, and the first safety business, there are a few other differences that I am finding quite interesting (and delightful!):

• There is quite the culture of tea, even in the work place. We have all the necessary tea supplies in our office and tea is regularly brewed and served during the day. Tea is served at meetings (and by served I mean, you make your own tea and bring it to the meeting). At our team meeting this morning every single person had a cup of tea. I even hear that it is not unusual to be served tea when you visit a client in their home.

• I get a boat-load of vacation. 27 days per year to be exact. Plus 8 statutory holidays.
  

• The full time work week is 37 hours. And, I don't ever have to work past 5pm. (okay, so maybe she's not working that hard for the money).
  

All in all, it has been a great transition to working again and I am so thrilled to be employed!