TGIF

I finally realized the true meaning of TGIF today.  THANK G-D IT'S FRIDAY!!! is all I can say.  Today was the closing to my first full week at Upside Down.  How was it?  Well, two words to describe it would be interesting and LONG.  The work day is from 10am to 7pm and even though we have a 1.5hr lunch from 1:30-3pm, the day is still VERY long.  Especially when I wake up at 6:10am so I can be at the gym for 7:30 - yes, as all your mouths drop - I am CRAZY and go every day!  I would rather go in the morning then after work because if not I would only get home at 10pm every night, which is ridiculous.

What I did at work this week that was interesting:

1) worked on a promotional PDF for the commercial side of Upside Down to reach out to a toy company hoping to attract their business

2) created multiple schemas/maps that broke down a new client's competitors websites for the web designer to give him a sense of what to steer clear of when creating the site.  

3) printed and cut promotional pamphlets for our commercial department to use to sell Upside Down's services to de "company de luxe" (companies that specialize in luxurious goods or services)

4) pulled images for a series of DVD box sets we are in the midst of designing

...and many other odds and ends...

After this week, I have really come to understand why people go to do their Masters after they are done with their Bachelors and even continue to their PHD.  Working long days is very HARD!  I have also come to realize how important it is to do something you absolutely LOVE and are passionate about, because if not, these long days will feel EVEN longer.

I am really loving the people I am working with.  Everyone is so nice and friendly.  I am starting to get to know each person's personality and they are all very different which is refreshing.  Lunch time at the office has quite entertaining.  We all break at 1:30 and cram into the little kitchen.  Some warm up Picard, JP gets thai food around the corner every day, I bring a salad, etc.  It is nice because this is when everyone just talks about anything including TV Shows such as Boston Legal, Dr. House, Desperate Housewives, South Park...as well as how we would survive if we ever got locked in the office and couldn't leave -- this led to having to sacrifice someone for food and further which parts of the body each would prefer eating.  Let me tell you, something very different about the French versus the Americans/Canadians - there are no BOUNDARIES.  At home, we are very aware of personal space and what is appropriate to talk about and what is not.  Here, that does not exist.  I can't think of a specific example, but will keep you updated when I remember one or if one occurs. 

What is up for this weekend?  I have no specific plans.  The weather is supposed to continue being nice - something that started for the first time today.  It has been 12 degrees Celsius and colder this entire week.  I am hoping to go and chill/tan in a park and also go to an open air market to get some fresh produce.  I might also hit up this interesting sounding class at the gym called Body Jam...

Most importantly I will SLEEP IN!