Old? New?

This week is my first week with a new job in a familiar place. I moved back to Pittsburgh and started working at Carnegie Mellon’s Heinz School of Public Policy and Management, which is where I was before moving to Cleveland.

It’s so strange being back here. Good, but still strange. I get the sense that everyone kind of feels as though no real time as passed while I’ve been gone, yet, for me, I feel as though I’ve lived a whole other life. My old friends and colleagues have been great, making me feel completely at ease. But along with that comes the idea I’ve somehow remembered every little detail and nuance about the school, the university, and the personal lives of all who I’ve run across.

This is, in fact, not the case.

I got a 5 minute run down of benefits and payroll. Great! And now I have forms sitting on my desk ready to be sent to an HR office in a location I no longer remember.

I had an hour and a half long meeting with a woman who I actually HIRED into my previous position and, during the entire meeting, I couldn’t focus on anything other than figuring out what her husband’s names is. I thought I remembered correctly yesterday and asked her how Thomas was doing, only I asked with some sort of French accent added onto this pronunciation for no real reason. The accent, of course, was not needed.

This morning I walked down to Starbucks to get some coffee and, when walking back into the building, was asked why I didn’t just get the Starbucks that’s already brewed in the coffee room on the second floor. Huh. My bank account wishes I would have remembered that one a little sooner.

I met up with an old friend last night for dinner and when she casually mentioned she was divorced, I about fell out of my chair. “You didn’t tell me that!” She sure did, about 3 years ago. Via MySpace. GOD.

I’m glad the weekend is nearing. Then I’ll be able to take a prospective student tour without being caught by a colleague.