Day 12 (Mon., Sept. 12)

Well, this is the start of another week. I feel as if I am getting comfortable around here. I drove around and did some cool stuff over the weekend. The beach was good. In driving to the beach, I took alternative routes just to see new things. I am beginning to see Ft. Lauderdale small-picture as opposed to large-picture.

Today, however, was sort of a slow day. I woke up early and drove on traffic for just over an hour. I was headed to the Sun-Sentinel's office in Deerfield Beach, which is about 30 miles north of the main building. I had been there the first day on the job, when I went to get my identification badge. So, I knew my way around -- sort of.

I was enjoying my drive, believe it or not. I had a great time being in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the interstate highway. I was humbled as I was enjoying the sounds of my radio as I switched from the country to the reggeaton stations with a little splash of National Public Radio. Here I thought I wasn't going to have any trouble getting to my 8 a.m. appointment. However, I got off an exit earlier and I had to improvise because the whole time I thought I was on the street I had to be on. Woops! The good thing is that I like to get to places early and I still made it in time. About two minutes before my meeting started. So, I didn't look like dummy. I must have been enjoying my time on the road as I made this slight oversight. I have to say that being in morning rush-hour traffic puts me at peace. I drove w/ the windows down as everyone had their windows up. Probably because it was already in the high 70s and it was just 7:15 a.m. Either way, I people watched and found myself feeling good among a sea of Florida license plates. I wondered if anyone looked at my plates and wondered why this Californian was doing on their freeway.

Once at the Deerfield office, I spent all day watching videos and filling up paperwork. It was my "Welcome to the Sun-Sentinel" orientation. It was long, but I have to say that I learned a thing or two. Well... Actually, I got some stuff re-instated because I already knew the stuff they talked about. Harassment, customer service and the work environment were all topics we discussed. Then, I sat around for a good half hour listening how the dozen of new full-timers got their information on their benefits. Wow! I had never realized the power of benefits. I guess I never really thought long-term. Now I know I am ready to get a full time job at a good paper w/ good benefits. Sun-Sentinel has a great program. I am sure all the other big papers do, too. I sure started dreaming about the day I am no longer a student and/or intern. When I can have sometime long-term and not just a seasonal appearance. But this is the time to do so. If I am going to land the job I am looking for, I must buckle down and do a great job during my internships.

The rest of the day was calm. I watched the rematch of last year's division championship game between my Eagles and the Falcons. This time, Atlanta came out on top. I guess it goes to show that if McNabb and T.O. do not take care of themselves, then the team is going to suffer. Oh, well. I rather see the Eagles go down early in the season and not in the playoffs.

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