The first day of anything is always weird, right?

Today I officially began work with Manuela Ramos/CrediMujer. I found out lots of things, like that I'll be responsible for individually interviewing 150+ CrediMujer clients for the market research study. (Vittana was hoping the loan officers would be helping out with this.) And that I'll be designing the study's methodology. (Why, hello there, Thesis. So we meet again.)

I also found out that I'm not as worldly-minded as I thought I was. Much like Tina Fey's surprise when she realized she was actually kind of homophobic, despite having many gay friends (see her book 'Bossypants'), I realized that I'm a little bit USA-centric, despite enjoying travel and having some non-USA friends. How did I realize this? I was quietly surprised/offended when my new co-workers asked things like, "Is California close to Texas?" or, when I would mention that Texas borders Mexico, someone would say, "I've been to Mexico City!" Um, No, California is not next to Texas. And that whole Mexico City comment is like me telling a New Yorker I've been to Ohio. (Which I haven't.) Come on, people! Don't you know United States geography?! We're the Fifty, Nifty United States! From thirteen original colonies!

In all seriousness, I wasn't offended, but I was actually a little surprised when my new Peruvian colleagues didn't know more about US geography. . .which is incredibly arrogant of me. (I would like to underline incredibly as well, but Blogger doesn't allow underlining.) Why should they give a cat's tail about our geography? Most Americans* don't know US geography. (For a thought-provoking discussion of the reasons why, see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww .) It was enlightening, to say the least. Hopefully I won't be able to climb back on that high horse.

Anyways, what follows are some statements--facts--about life that I realized/learned/was thinking about today. Read on and be informed.

Things that are awkward:

1. Extending your hand for a handshake when your new coworker is going in for a kiss on the cheek. Then going in for a kiss, and she extends her hand. Then extending your hand while she goes in for the kiss.

2. Going in for the full monty when your new senior-most colleague was going in for kiss on the cheek. (By full monty, I mean hug. Still über awkward.)


Things that are funny:

1. Our office manager talks out loud to herself while typing emails. (I do this, too, but [I think] more quietly.)

2. I briefly got locked in the bathroom stall at work today. If I had weak fingers, I would not have escaped. Thankfully, a sweet lady showed me a different, more reliable bathroom.


Things that are not funny:

1. How clammy my hands get when trying to speak Spanish with my new colleagues. (I can write and understand, but I've been freezing on the spot when speaking!)

2. My suitcase arrived last night sans brand new outlet adapter & surge protector, and the luggage tag I got two Christmases ago. (They were stolen out of my bag.)


Things that are totally awesome:

1. My suitcase arrived at all.

2. I had picked up an extra paper luggage tag in Houston and an extra outlet adapter in the Orlando airport, so all I lack is a surge protector (!!).


Lastly, something to ponder:

Isn't my urine more sterile than the non-potable water with which I wash my hands in the bathroom?

That is all! Again, I'm so sorry to those reading this that are a little weirded out by my candor. (Still thinking of you, Dr. B!) I hope that you all are able to enjoy, none-the-less, and there will be some practical entries soon with more substance. Right now, I'm tired of Spanish and market research and student loans. (And it's only day one :) )

-Audrey

The grand foyer on the first floor

Me at my desk

My desk

Doll next to my desk

Awesome art, crummy photo. It's nuts that we will pay millions of dollars for some artwork, and others, equally beautiful, hang on the wall of an NGO in Lima, Perú.

*At the risk of sounding snobby--but I really don't mean it that way!--The term "American" isn't quite accurate. Pretty much anyone in the Western Hemisphere (minus the Caribbean and tip of Antarctica, and a few outlying islands) are North American or South American. I prefer the Spanish term for US Citizen estadounidense and from here on out will be referring to US Citizens as such. Kind of like when we learned that "Indians" are actually Native Americans, and Indians are people from India.