Somewhere Between a Manic & Mundane Monday

I don't want to sound too confident because I feel like that's when things fall apart but...my new life is quickly coming together! No, I haven't found a place to live, my things aren't here, I still don't have my Italian driver's license, but those are all just a few things on my To-Do List.

I do have my new CAC,  rations card (yeah, they ration certain things), and access to my work computer/email! Of course none of these things came easily, but I figured things out...eventually...and they are now crossed off my list.

ID Card: I think this is last picture I will need to take for a while. I think that's a good thing. Since all of the pictures are on documents that get seen regularly I won't be able to escape them so I may as well share. Please note the gradual transition from left to right of me looking a tad more human? Oh and why we're at it...the far right my ID pic was described as "cute" by the girl who took it. She never showed it to me prior to printing the card AND knew my only requirement was to look better than my previous one. Oh the people we put in charge of important things...

Rations Card: They limit hard liquor, tobacco, and coffee! Which one am I saddest about? Coffee. (Coffee>>Vodka any day of the week.) Luckily I can still get plenty out in town :)

The Login Adventure: Everything runs off our IDs here so until the new one was issued I couldn't do anything. Once I spent some time talking with the Help Desk things were set up. Any guesses on how many emails I had? Keep in mind this email account was set up while I was still in Monterey in hopes I'd have access upon arrival. (I've been here 2 weeks). Quarantsette...make that 48 since my coworker sent one as soon as Outlook was opened. I've been copied on so many emails it was crazy- especially since I only knew what 1 of the 3 forms that kept showing up.

Best part? After lunch someone came in to talk about what he had sent. I had to tell him that I saw it, but since it was my first day actually having access I knew nothing about the procedures. Yep. I hate not being able to help but that's all going to start changing tomorrow. Luckily my follow up answer of "the expert will be back tomorrow" assured him that it would be taken care of then. Phew.

Such goes the life of a newbie in the office. I haven't been the newbie in so long I forget how slow the start up process can be. Luckily a lot of my knowledge from the old jobs will be of huge help getting up to speed...once my training really starts. 

Shortly after that chat, my 5th training module (for DTS) decided to break my computer. Well, I thought it was the website but turns out a server was down. I of course learned this when calling the Help Desk in regards to why my phone couldn't call the local DSN number for the housing office and they had a recording regarding the server...

My solution? I called it a day. Hey, it was just a few minutes early and it allowed me to catch the shuttle back and the director fully supported my decision.

The real highlight of the day was meeting more people. Today's friend was recommended by the fabulous OG after the two of them had met in Hawaii a while back. He just returned from weeks out of Italy and while he caught up with his friends- so there were lots of introductions. I've got to say...I'm so impressed with how willing everyone is to help with any questions or issues I'm having. I don't think I've ever experienced something quite like this. Then again, at one point or another they all went through this process as well and know what it's like. So Joe- I'll be an expert by the time you and the family decide to call this place home! 

So there you have it- it wasn't a manic Monday but it sure wasn't mundane!