Today was my first day at the office. On Mondays, we work the 9am-6pm shift. Last night, I went to bed at 9pm, woke up at 6am, worked out, and then enjoyed a lovely complimentary breakfast all before my work day even started. It was fabulous! I really gotta try this "I'm a morning person" thing more often. On Tuesdays through Friday, I will be working the 5:30am - 2:30pm shift. So my whole "trying to be a morning person" will likely not happen and I will curse the day when the sun rises! Just kidding. And as it gets closer to busy season, I will be working more hours. Oh, and did I tell you I'm training for a marathon! Side note - I did run 8 miles on Sunday after only 3 hours of sleep. Second side note - the office is about a 10-15 minute car ride. Driving in Hyderabad is crazy! There are tons of people on motorcycles, there aren't really any lanes, and everyone is going everywhere. I will definitely do the tourist thing and take pictures, so watch out for my blog post on Driving.
Third side note, the coffee at the Novotel (the hotel where I am staying) serves french press coffee. By far, this is probably the greatest coffee I've ever tasted. I am not a coffee snob or coffee whore and usually don't finish my first cup of coffee, but I downed my first cup and asked for a second cup and really wanted to get a third. Shout out to dad who is the french press master! I really think I'm going to have to switch over to french press when I get back to the US.
Back to day one at the office - I got to finally meet all of the people that I work with on a regular basis. It was great to finally meet them in person rather than talk to them on the phone or video chat. They all gathered around me, maybe 30 people, and introduced themselves to me. All of the USI ("US India") professionals were very kind and sweet. I already gave one staff person work to do and got to discuss the project in a conference room rather than over the phone.
Lunch time - So you have probably been dying to learn more about the "Frankie." So at lunch time, my counselee (one of my staff people in India that I mentor) took me to the cafeteria downstairs. There were carts and other places where you walk up to get food. One of the other US rotators has been raving about the "Frankie" so I just had to try it. It is sort of like a mini burrito/hot dog. I ordered the Tikka Chicken Frankie and it was DELICIOUS. AWESOME. AMAZING. Yes, it is cafeteria food, and the person making it wasn't wearing gloves, but this is India. I will definitely be getting more of these, assuming I don't get sick.
Well, I think I have blogged enough for one day. Gotta get to bed so that I can wake up bright and early. I am trying to figure out a routine and dealing with jet lag and the time change and figuring out when I can face time with Todd and the rest of you out there that are reading this blog. So please don't be mad or sad if we can't connect. Hopefully next week will be better.
I love you all and hope to talk to you soon!
The "Frankie"
"Leaving work tonight"
"Pool view from my room"
"Other side view"
"Hotel Room"
"Poolside Sunday"
