My First Day at Work!

Wow, so yesterday was a busy day. I mean, had to get stuff done and what not. Being all awesome, I got myself a savings and a checkings account. In Poland ;D I feel pretty great. Legit and what not! Unfortunately, my Vanderbilt Student ID card does not qualify as a Student ID card here, meaning I do not get the 50% student discount for a public transport card. Oh yes. That is highly disappointing, as it could’ve saved me a TON of money. Alas, life moves on. Although, the bank matter took a looong time. And I had an appointment at 16:00, which was a bit stressful whenever we realized how little time we had left.

I say we because my uncle went with me. We practiced my public transport route to work, so I wouldn’t be hopelessly confused in my travels in the morning. (: It should be easy enough. Just gotta make the right transfers and what not. Then I went to meet my boss, and he was really nice, as were the ladies I’m working with. :D I’m super excited. Like, this is going to be a really awesome opportunity. I’m working to help set up some important health conference here, and ya know, making the more English information documents and what not. I think. Either way, they need a native English speaker, so it works out. My mom’s godson has been super helpful! I am incredibly fortunate to have all of his help through this.

During this meeting, my aunt and uncle were supposed to go home, but because it was short, they waited for me, and then they ended up taking me to the Galeria, where we had ice cream. Kiwi ice cream, guys. Kiwi. Oh goodness. Polish ice cream is the all-time winner. Hands. Down. It tastes so fresh and real. I love it. So much. More exotic tastes to come too! :D I was going to stick on the computer for a while, but the laptop died rather quickly… Since I have to go to the Galeria, or any WiFi HotSpot to really access the internet. Yeah, no internet in my apartment, and dealing with setting something up for two months seems to be ridiculous. I don’t know. I have to look more into it, because it would be incredibly convenient, including for work. :/ So my uncle and aunt took me home, I read for a bit, and then passed out around 7. Yeah, I know. Seven. For me. The heck? :P So now it’s five in the morning. :D Hahah! Gotta love it.

So yeah, today’s an exciting day! My first real day of work. Ya know what, I’m still a bit nervous. Like, I met the people, and they’re all really nice, but I’m still jittery. I guess it’s just the entire concept of it being my first real job, instead of just volunteering. Like, volunteering obviously requires a lot of responsibility, but this is a new level of responsibility. Annnd I’m in Poland. On my own. Haha. Oh well. Polish language knowledge at the end of this experience? +A freakin’ billion. It’s going to be so wonderful. So I have to get ready, go to work, go buy my UrbanCard (the public transport card), and just figure things out! As of now, I need to do some reading for my job, and I’m hungry. Do usłysenia! ^^

And the day continues, my dear friends! I’m in the Galeria Dominikańska, aka a local mall, which is badass. In front of the same ice cream place, using their internet. I had one scoop of raspberry ice cream today. I’m considering trying mango, but I don’t know how much I like mango… Maybe I’ll ask them for a taste tomorrow, so I don’t waste money and end up not liking it, ya know? Oh, and this ice cream isn’t bad for me. I walk to get to the bus, I walk to work, etc. etc. I’ll have to walk to buy groceries and what not. As in, I’m going to be active enough for this.

So my first day at work went quite well! (: I met everyone, and remember virtually no one’s name, hahahaha. But the person who helped me out the most was very nice, helpful, and understands it’s overwhelming to meet so many people. Anyways, I have a work computer and phone! What the hell! So awesome. I feel all official. And as I said, I think, before, I’ll be doing the English work for them. They’re setting up an international forum here for public health. They’re trying to teach businesses, medical personnel, and government officials how to work together to make effective health campaigns, and I’m helping out in getting English people to come! (Honestly, I feel pretty epic doing what I do, even though I’m sure I’m just over exaggerating its importance, per usual.) But yes, today I worked on a presentation will be sending to English perspective guests to try and persuade them to come. And we’ll be sending out these invitations to people from medical universities… So I’m really really hoping I’ll be able to pull someone in from Vanderbilt. I mean, come on! It’s a health conference, and Vandy’s a WONDERFUL hospital, and I’m one of their students, who is working for this organization setting it up. It fits, doesn’t it? :P

Regardless, I made the presentation, and that’s it. I’m slowly getting into work, as my assignments are quite limited for now, until I have to start calling and inviting people. Then that’ll be more interactive, I think. Oh, the people I work with are really nice. One lady I work with is very nice and helpful, though I wish I knew her name. Regardless, she told me about the Anonymous planned Facebook hacking today while reading some article, and she told me how they order food, and then gave me some chocolate. She’s just very welcoming. (: I am really glad to be in the same room as her. 

Haha, since I'm trying to save my poor phone battery, I had it turned off, so my uncle had to call my job to get in touch with me. One of the ladies came in and was like: Someone named Dzidek called you; I figured you'd know what that meant. I had a good kick out of that. xD 

After work, I took a nice walk to the public transport card office and got myself my transport card. So I can go on whatever bus or trolley that I want without worries, and get around all over Wroclaw. That'll be far more useful as the weeks go on and venture out more, I'm sure. (: Also had to figure out how to get to this mall from there, which was unfortunate in timing. By the time I figured out I had to take 4, which was right before me, it left. So I had to wait 15 minutes. Oh well! Such is life. I got here, and all is well!

Oh yes, yes! I will be taking plenty of pictures, no worries! My next update will consist of pictures from my apartment (pre-complete decoration), my work, and the mall I’ll be partially living in to mooch internet access. Also, of the public transport system I’ll be relying on. And whenever I decide to go visit the square, they’ll be pictures of that as well. But I’ll have to motivate myself. I need to figure out how to get socially active, meet people, because honestly, besides work, I have no clue. Though I’d really appreciate hanging out with people and what not in my spare time. So we’ll see if I have the guts to go try and meet some people!

Oh, which reminds me! My blog URL name. Nell w Polsce. It’s just “Nell in Poland,” in Polish. Harharhar, so original, I know. But I like it. Oh, and you read it like this: Nell weh poles-tzeh. Yeah, that should sound about right. If you’re curious. Not that most of you will be. And I think my blog name is self-explanatory. Crazy. Girl. Polish. That’s all me, right there. :P I just left out short, I know. Sorry, people who enjoying making fun of my height.

But yes, the day went incredibly well, first day at work, ever, and I’m quite satisfied. This morning went well as well, at home. Made myself a nice breakfast, got ready, prepped for work, all with more than enough time. Didn’t get lost on my way to work or miss any transfers. I managed to get to the Galeria without getting lost, and I should be fine to get back to my apartment from here… I hope. I know the numbers, but we’ll see.

For now, I think that’ll be all! I need to head on home, since my battery is getting low. Oh wow, it’s all ready 7 too. I’ll probably spend the evening reading and further informing myself of the purpose of the conference so that I feel really well read up on it, instead of completely lost. (:

By the way, Wroclaw is a wonderful city; it truly is. I’ve been here before, of course, but I still love it. Then again, I love all of Poland. You should visit, if you ever get the chance. Gorgeous country. Not that I’m biased or anything. ;)