To an estranged Californian, Boston office culture seems like a study of traditions frozen in time. They’ve never even heard of Casual Friday. You should’ve seen the look my supervisor gave me when I casually mentioned it. They have another concept for the Christmas White Elephant, too-it’s called a “Yankee Swap”. What??? Oh, and while we’re on the subject-“dungarees” are jeans (I thought they were those big giant yellow overalls that fishermen wore in storms), “frappes” (pron: fraps) are milkshakes, and anything “wicked” is good. But you probably already knew that one…immortalized by Matt Damon in the movie, “Good Will Hunting.” God bless his beautiful soul.
I am a week into my new job and frankly, nothing but grateful to be employed…at whatever task. Oh I’ll dress up! I’d don real dungarees if they asked me to. Ironically, the fear that I wasn’t dressed professionally enough haunted me even into my dreams the other night when my new manager followed me home to critique my shoes, pair by pair, until she’d eliminated all but one deemed sharp enough for work. I guess my summer teaching job with the no “open-toed” policy had a deeper psychological effect than I’d imagined!
Seriously, my new job’s not bad. My official role is Customer Service Rep. in HR at BC (Boston College)-can you tell they like abbreviations? Basically, I’m a glorified receptionist. It’s easy, but people-oriented. I know that I am where God wants me. I have soooo much peace about it that even when I went to the program director’s office today to inquire about starting my Masters (in Global Social Work) in January and he said I have to wait until NEXT SEPTEMBER (!!!) I didn’t fret. Ok…maybe just a little. I figure I will have plenty to occupy me on campus, what with the gym, free language classes, lectures, employee lunches, football games, etc. It’s even a Jesuit university, so there is a spiritual dynamic to every aspect of university life. We discussed the conversion of St. Ignatius to Christ at our new employee Orientation! If I could pick a religious order to put on my postage stamps, the Jesuits would definitely be it. So, it looks like I’m going to be learning a lot about La Societe de Jesu!
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2 comments:
They probably don't do costume day on Halloween either :(
I speak a few words of Bostonian myself. For instance, I happen to know that 'Cuber' is that pesky island just south of Florida; 'khakis' are what you start your car with; and 'match' is the month in which Caesar was assassinated. Also, if I may boast, my understanding of the intensifier 'wicked' pre-dates Good Will Hunting; I first heard it in the '80s in reference to NKOTB, i.e. in the phrase "The New Kids are wicked quayuh." Get back to me if you have trouble with that one. But really, I'm happy you found a job you have peace about for now. I also found it quite strange how subbing has the curious effect of making you pray for a 9-5 - no open-toes notwithstanding. If you want my advice, which people rarely do, make friends with the office coffee-runner (there's always one), and keep a smartly folded crossword beneath the desk.
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