Walking to work for the first time in 2 years was a very strange feeling.

Maybe it was because of the huge blisters that have magically appeared on my feet. My perfectly honed Rainbow flip-flop callouses were no match for the dusty Ferragamo dress shoes. At least now I know where the first aid kit is located. (in the kitchen. now you know too)

Or maybe it was because of the birds chirping at 8 am. Did you know that it’s actually quite nice outside at 8am? The summer heat/humidity hasn’t yet taken hold of the air, and there are people everywhere whistling, sweeping the sidewalks, and walking to work. I can’t remember the last time I woke up at 7am (for anything but a coffee and some solid internet time).

Or maybe it was because of a freshly shaven face. Both Thursday and Friday mornings started with this long forgotten ritual. Friday was particularly difficult. My adolescent stubble screamed in misery….”NO!! The giant vibrating death machine is back!! Wasn’t it just here yesterday?? RETREAT RETREAT!! AAHH!!! Damn those 5 BLADES…we can’t hide anywhere!! Not even under the nose because of that single blade on the other side!! RUN!!”

Or maybe it was because I have the best job in the world.

A friend was recently telling me about the difference between his business school friends and his Boston friends. His business school friends are all highly motivated, career-focused people. His Boston friends hate their jobs and never talk about work outside of the office. If you asked every person in the United States which group they fall into, I bet that 95% would say: “I’m a Boston friend. I hate my job. It’s a ‘job,’ of course I hate it. Why would I want to talk about it when I’m out with my friends?”

Well, I’m in the other 5%. I want to love my job. I want to be challenged at work, and I want my work to mean something. I want my co-workers to want that, too. I also want my co-workers to be intelligent, worldly people who a passion for making things better.

That’s mostly what I’ve been feeling over the past 2 days…like I’ve finally found a place where I can live up to my potential. I think I am going to love this job.