My "desk" at my new job. All riiiiiiight.

First day at work today not really so much a bag of gummy bears. For one, I forgot what it feels like to wake up before 7, when I've been waking up at 11 every day so far this summer. I went through a lot of basic first day orientation stuff in the morning and started my research analysis/brainstorming for a possible article. I am now Impact Media's investigative reporter/writing distributor/research analyst/copy editor. I had a private session with one of the interns to help me re-learn AP Chicago style which I already had a good grasp about. Pretty much I'll be left alone and I work on my own schedule however I want or whenever I get the job done, since I'm an independent contractor and freelance writer. I'll be working Monday through Wednesday 9AM-3PM. I'm left alone for the most part.

Left alone is right. While everyone else works in the actual office together, I'm by myself in the annex rooms at the very end of the hall. I'm away from everyone else. All alone. I guess I like it because I can play music out loud or have it be very quiet so no one can distract me but I did feel lonely a couple of times during the day. I made a couple of trips to the bathroom and the kitchen just to see if anyone else would be out, because it was weird not seeing anyone anywhere near the annex all day long. The only time I got to interact with my coworkers was during lunch and then it was back to my lonesome at the annex again until 3. The annex feels like a prison cell. I feel like it's also keeping me from getting to know my coworkers and stuff since I'm all alone all day long. It's kind of depressing. I was hoping to make some friends at my new workplace but I guess that's not going to happen. 

It isn't hard work and it's pretty much the same type of work I had to do with writing articles for my college newspaper except this type of material a lot more dense, seeing as though I know nothing about business or the current economic/job climate. Oh well...at least my new job will give me something new to learn every day, right? I'm happy to be reading about current events around the world and Southern California, and I'm glad that I'll be doing a ton of research to help private owned small businesses/startups/entrepreneurs get a leg up in the industry. I know nothing about business or numbers but I guess I have to start somewhere. I read a ton which isn't too hard. I like reading and writing anyway. That's what my entire college career insisted of! It isn't too challenging and I'm expected to produce at least 2-3 articles a week. I already almost finished my first article that I was assigned today. I decided to write about the popularity of social media platforms such as Vine and how it could help startup companies get their brand names/products out. It's a focus on how businesses and companies can learn a few things from popular Viners. I'm also comparing/contrasting starting a Vine account and starting a new business and how everything is a risk in the public market but it's something we have to keep at it and take chances. It's also to help realize that startup companies have a lot more in common with Vine than we think, and that it's more than just a mere six-second fill of entertainment. We'll see how it goes. None of my coworkers understand what Vine really is, so when I tried to explain my potential article in the breakroom, everyone looked confused, including the Director/Supervisor. I felt stupid as all hell.

I don't know how the rest of my coworkers feel about me. I just can't help being shy meeting new people. I just clam up and turn really quiet, and really awkward. I think people noticed, which is why one of the interns told me, "Hey don't be shy, don't be afraid to ask us for questions...we're not going to bite you." Gahh I feel stupid. I wish I won't be so shy and awkward at work! I don't want to give my employers a reason to regret hiring me. I want to show them that I'm the same confident girl that they trusted to become a part of their team! I really do! I just need some time...it's hard for me to be open and talkative to people I just met. It's always been like that for me. That's why I never had any friends on my college's newspaper staff. I talked to nobody during the meetings. I just sat there quietly with my eyes on the floor, not speaking to anyone, not even looking at anyone. I dreaded meetings sometimes.

I'm going to promise to be more outgoing and friendly tomorrow. I don't want to look like a stuckup bitch! I'm not! 

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. I'm supposed to bring tortillas for the company meet and greet potluck tomorrow. I hope I won't forget them otherwise I'll feel really stupid.