The First Day

So the day started off at 7:00am when my alarm went off. I was tired. I'm still not adjusted to a normal schedule, since the holiday break had broken my sleeping pattern.

I had no idea what to wear. They said casual but no sneakers. So I was supposed to stay warm, look cute, but not too laid back...I changed my outfit twice. I settled on skinny jeans, a wood green short sweater and black ballerina flats. I decided not to straighten my hair and put the natural curls up with my baby hump. I hoped it would pass cause I thought I looked cute...but who knows with the fashion world...

When we got to the car (my uncle wanted to accompany me the first day which I beyond appreciated), the car would not start (he had left the light on the night before). He started freaking out and called a friend. The whole ordeal lasted about 20-30mins. But I stayed calm, stuff like this happened to me all the time. My ex always teased me about leaving my lights on and killing my battery. I figured it would make a good story.

The story got better when we got to the bridge leading to the trains and it was up. My uncle insisted that they were never up doing rush hour because it backs up traffic, which it did very successfully. He freaked some more after waiting 5mins and pulled out of the lane and in the opposite direction to go around another way. It was about 9:15am. I was supposed to be there at 10.

We finally got to the station and on the train at 9:30am. He couldn't believe how calm I was in comparison to how frantic he was. "It's your first day, I can't believe this is happening." But I figured they would understand.

We took the 6 to 125th, got on the express (4 or 5) to 14th, then the R to Prince Street, getting out on the NW corner (I've repeated so many times in my head so I wouldn't get lost). And suddenly I was in the famous SoHo on Broadway. Even he said "Oh this is cool" & he has lived here almost his whole life. Both stops were right next to my building.

I went upstairs to the third floor. The building was really nice...hardword floors, high ceilings, bright lights...I loved it already.

When I got there, everyone introduced themselves. They asked if I had trouble finding it, and I joked no, just had trouble getting there. I think I am the only one not from the city. Though not a big suite it was very sheek. Everyone was young and obviously in style. I wondered how they perceived me but I knew I would be judged by my work ethic more then anything. That "not a city girl in the NY way but in the Miami way" started to sink in but I shook it off. I was shown all the new and old collections, which were for press only, and which were for sales. They showed me where things were, etc and we talked a bit. First days are always weird, no matter were you work, but everyone seemed nice. Mia, the women who hired me and who I had communicated with, had made a bread pudding and brought it in for everyone. As stupid as this may sound, it was comforting. It showed that everyone was somewhat close and thoughtful of one another. After all it was a small office, no more then 10 people in there at a time. And it tasted fantastic!

Then I got to work. And didn't stop until I left. They had me begin by securing the labels on one the show brands they represented: Pointer. Stapling the labels into the shoes was not as easy as it originally sounded. Afterward, they had me prep the appointment folders for Dunderdon. I put business cards and collection sheets in each folder. Then when I finished that, they got me started on prepping mailings for different stores. They would be sending out look books, order forms, and business cards to stores across the country and in the area. Once I was done with the first set, they let me go to lunch. Around that time, another new intern came in from NYU. She was very friendly and were both were obviously happy we weren't the only newbies.

I walked around for a bit and didn't find too many places to eat on the main road (Broadway) and I didn't want to venture to far off on my first day. I found the SoHo Cafe about two blocks away and on my budget, ordered a burger (which was huge) for $6.50 and a V8 for $2.50. A $10 treat for lunch; from now on it'd have to be cheaper or I'd have to bring lunch. I had already spent $20 on a subway card. Like I said...I'm an everyday girl on a everyday budget. =)

Once I got back around 2:15pm I finished the last of the mailings. Then I was sent to deliver the local ones to four stores within walking distance. After the first one, I didn't realize I was on the right street to head to the next one. I ended up walking about six blocks in the wrong direction to walk six blocks back, and basically make a big circle. I couldn't help but laugh at myself and take it as a learning experience. I even started to recognize streets my cousin had taken me to about a year before. I made all the deliveries but my feet were freezing and I was tired. One guy in a store wasn't very nice in helping me, I felt like flicking him off but just said thanks and went to the barely visible store politely. Another store was under the actual building and I had to search for a stairway.

Once I got back it was time to prep for the Karen Walker show. We had to re-stuff the invitations to the right side and then stuff what was left. The invitations were girly but unique, with a sqaure shape. The task became a bit mindless after awhile and we were finally let go around 6:15pm. I was beat. I found out that the show was on Valentine's Day, which though exciting, hampered any romantic possibilities.

My first time alone on the train was pretty quick and easy. I had memorized which way to go after hearing my uncle repeat it to me about 20 times. The R was PACKED, but once we went uptown it lessened. It took about 45mins. And you do see crazy things on there. I wished other places I had lived had such organized and well timed public transportation. I remember not having a car in college and having to ride the bus anywhere took forever. An hour just to go a few miles. This was actually relieving.

Once I got above ground I called my uncle to pick me up at the station. He DJ's a Latin night at a club and informed me he would be putting me to work. My body and feet weaped but I knew I needed the money and it was generous of him to think of me. They order food every Thursday and I had a healthy and delicious share of pepper steak and yellow rice once I got to the club. Actually, a double sharing. Then I helped them sign up people for their email list for about two hours. By 10:30 I wanted to pass out and he took me home.

I finally showered and this time had no problems falling asleep. Today I didn't roll out of bed til noon. No internship until next Tuesday (I work 2-3 times a week). I spent all day today joining networks and applying for part time jobs. This is "The City" on a hustle.