…well, from 9am-5pm anyway…

As a super brief update – I’ve been working in the University of Nottingham’s Human Resources Department as a temporary Administrative Assistant.  It’s a full time gig at the satellite campus not far from the Uni and has been a great opportunity to get some UK experience to sortof ‘beef’ up my resume.  I have to admit, it took some getting used to.  For example, every morning they would ask, “would you like a drink?” in their English accent and come back with a tray of piping hot mugs of tea delivered to each person.  I thought it was so funny, ya know?  So, the first day, I walked myself down to the kitchen to get my own coffee and to my surprise, there was none!  Yup, only tea.  Well…and instant coffee but I don’t think I could or would ever want to get used to that!  SO, tea it is.  I enjoy it actually…and they’ve got a big water boiler hanging on the wall with a spicket so it’s “no hassle”.  I later learned from an American friend that its sortof rude to get up and get your own ‘drink’ without offering to get everyone else’s.  That’s all it took – I was learning how to prepare everyones tea to their liking the next day and gladly allowing them to fetch mine.

Oh, the fun subtle differences…even on the computer keyboard.  I could go on and on…

Overall its been a good experience so far and my coworkers don’t look at me like I’m an alien as often (and to be fair, vice-versa) haha.  I’ve enjoyed them and they’ve helped me more than they know.  I will say, I am looking forward to finding a position of my own…one in the Social Service, NGO realm where I can get down to business.  I’ll write another post with my job search update but I wanted to show everyone where I’ve been working!  Who knows…I may get lucky and move on to something else soon!