My whiney post last week must have rang a few bells somewhere in the Universe. After I posted, I sat down at my laptop and continued the job hunt. And about 2 hours later, I got a call from a job recruiter that Joel’s aunt referred me to. She had a few openings for me, and invited me in for an interview. I did well, and almost immediately she found me a temporary gig as a marketing assistant for a Very Well Known Cosmetics Brand.

SCORE. SCORE SO MUCH.

I’ve worked in marketing before, but always for small companies. Places where there are fewer than 3 people in the office at any given time. And yes, I’ve watched Mad Men and I’ve always daydreamed about working in a Big Established Company’s creative department and the people I would meet and the amazing wardrobe and badass-femme attitude I’d have.

But, as I went through my day today, in my $20 mock-blazer made of flammable materials, my $10 skirt made of possibly more flammable materials, and my $5 stockings that caught a run with the first pair I put on, surrounded by women with flawless outfits and makeup, I felt more like the before shot of Andy from The Devil Wears Prada.

Especially at lunch time when the Put Together and Perfumed took out their lunches of sparse spinach salads and tiny tupperwares of pumpkin and quinoa salads, and I lugged out my awesome sandwich that Joel made for me, filled with meat and cheese and vegetables. HELLO, OFFICE. ALSO I DID NOT SHOWER THIS MORNING.

First Days, amirite? I hate first days. It makes me miss the days of retail, when you had an orientation day full of training before they released you to the wild. It’s frustrating to sit there at a desk and not know what’s going on, with people who do know what’s going on who are all way too busy to explain things to you. And, as I’ve learned, the people who do know what’s going on are a different degree of detached when they realize you’re a temp, and giving you in-depth training is a bit of a waste of time.

So today was a bit stressful at times. But, it won’t last forever. In 3 weeks, I’ll be on to my next assignment, where I’ll hopefully know the temp ropes a bit better. As it is, I’m looking forward to gaining a bit more of a foot hold in this company’s processes. It’s a real, city office, with a real, branded product. So that’s a whole new experience in itself. And it’s exciting as it is a little scary. And I get that all important Australian experience to put on my resume. Most important, though, I get to bring home a paycheck and contribute to our life here. Even if it is temporary.

Also, I took the bus to and from my job by myself, and I felt like a real grown up.

Thanks, Universe!