By Christine
I had a hard time coming up with something blog about until I went into work today. I realized by the end of the day that I am finally getting through the awkward stage, and becoming more comfortable with my environment.
I knew that living in Des Moines would be a change, and that taking this internship would mean new people, new apartment, new town, new friends….etc. I decided to take this internship because I really wanted the experience, but I must be honest and say that I really hate starting over. I hate new beginnings. I always want to fast forward a few weeks to where I no longer feel like the new person at work. To where I know my co-workers a little better and feel a little less awkward in my surroundings. Don’t get me wrong, I like trying new things but more like one thing at a time instead of everything being new at once. I always try to keep myself as busy as possible to help the awkward transition stage get over with faster. I try to be as invisible as possible, and not get in anyone’s way. I think part of me wants to study the people around me first before I interact with them. I’d have to say that’s the psychology part of me.
I like to try and read people and figure them out a little bit better before I chime in. If I decide to just be more open right away I always, always, always put my foot in my mouth. For example, the first day of my intermedia class my junior year at Iowa I introduced myself to the girl next to me. We started chatting, and eventually the conversation led to her telling me about her two friends who have been married about six weeks and are already fighting. She mentioned that she was pretty sure they were going to be divorced within 6 months. I replied “yea with the divorce rates the way they are today, I am just not sure if marriage is a good idea anymore” and she responded “I am getting married in May”. To say the least we didn’t have much to talk about after that.
My point is that I do not do well with a new environment. When I studied abroad in Ireland, the first night I was there I freaked out and had no idea why I put myself in that situation. Although I am really uncomfortable with everything changing at once I still force myself into those sorts of situations because in the end it is always worth it. Studying abroad is the best thing I ever did, and I am sure at the end of this internship I will feel the same way. Eventually everything always comes together. I feel that I am starting to get to that point in my internship. I am comfortable with the people I work with, and I am finally receiving more work from my boss which makes me believe that he is becoming more comfortable with me as well. I am thankful that my awkward stage is coming to an end.
I am glad to be taking the “new” out of my beginning.
*The image I added is very similar to the one we were given at orientaion. I could not think of anything else that would help demonstrate what I am talking about.
2 comments:
I understand what you're saying, I am from here and I even feel like it's starting over basically. While I still have a network of people, parents, a friends or two, family, for the most part I am on my own. The majority of people I would hang out with are back in Iowa City or somewhere else. It's tough getting acclimated to a new place but as you said it is always worth it in the end. It comes to a point where you have to do things you don't necessarily want to do, but what you NEED to do for better things.
Christine,
I am from here as well and can completely relate to you and Doug. Whenever I start a new job or something, I also wish I could fast forward and get used to everything and get to know everyone quicker. It's uncomfortable in the beginning, but (as corny as this may sound) my feeling is that the more I/we do things, the easier they will get.
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