Recap

Thank you all for the sweet comments. Today really could not have been a better first day of work. I managed to share a nice smoothie and oatmeal with Timmy this morning before dropping him off at daycare and getting to the office early. As soon as I walked into reception, everyone started asking how Timmy was and demanded to see pictures. Everywhere I turned, I saw friends I had made when I was a summer associate.
Training was a little bit mundane, but before I knew it, I was sitting in my office waiting for my mentor to take me to lunch. After enjoying a leisurely lunch with some fun ladies, I sat through a bit more training before leaving for the day at 3:45(!!) I was in my sweatpants and on my couch at 4:30pm and I still don't have a blackberry so I wasn't even obligated to check my email.

I had been a little bit apprehensive about going back to work full-time, but the minute I started talking to people at the Firm, I relaxed. I really like the people that work there and being back in the same office made me immediately feel at ease. Then the office Managing Partner gave a little speech, basically telling us that no matter where we go next, today we're starting our legal careers so we should be proactive and make it something great, shape it and direct it. Until then, I had been so focused on getting used to the mere act of being in a physical place besides home and away from my baby that I hadn't really thought of going to work as starting my career. I had been worried about the fact that I would feel trapped by the time constraints of my job so I didn't focus on the benefit of having time to devote to building my career. Now I am so excited to be starting this new part of my life.

Today, just getting dressed up, driving to a pretty office and being with educated people who had interesting and varied things to talk about made me feel so much more fulfilled than I have been in a long time. I can't even imagine the satisfaction I'll get from the substantive work when I find something that I like and am good at. I don't want to seem naive; I know there will be days that I hate what I am doing and I desperately miss my family or life outside of work. But right now I love everything about the place that I'll be spending much of my time at. Coming home and letting Timmy body slam me and point out my nose, eyes and mouth repeatedly (with corresponding pokes) was pretty cool too.

P.S. I ended up wearing a skirt and button-down shirt to work. I'm glad I didn't wear a suit...I was the most conservatively dressed female of all those who started today. One guy wore a suit and tie and he was the weird one.