I've never, until now, had a job with a desk. My desk is one of about fifty others all in one large room but it is my desk and I don't have to share it with anyone.It's a standard wood desk, well worn (I'd guess 20 to 25 years old), a bit on the small side, much like everything else in Japan. It has three drawers and a cupboard like arrangement at the bottom. I haven't accumulated enough things to fill it yet but I'm sure it won't be long. But the most remarkable aspect of the desk is how much time I spend at it.I spend two thirds of my time sitting at my desk and far less than half of that time is filled with legitimate work. That leaves a few hours each day to fill. It sounds like a great thing but as I'm new at the job, I'm still trying to gage how busy I need to look. They know, and I know, I have nothing to do, but should we both pretend that's not the case? Should I always be pouring over papers or be aimlessly tapping away at a word document? Or is it OK to spend a few hours on boxing websites? I honestly don't know. I perform my main duties well and with care and enthusiasm. When I'm asked to do something, I spring into action and do the best I can. But there is nothing I hate more than playing the "look busy" game. It's exhausting! Far more so than actually doing something. I've been told I'm doing a great job, so far, so maybe I should relax a bit. They know how much work I have and there is no way they can think that it equates to eight hours of non-stop work a day.
The pace is hard to get used to and it feels strange to not feel the least bit physically tired at the end of the day. How people work at a desk in an office for thirty years is really beyond me. The lack of hard work coupled with the large increase in salary has me worried. I feel that they will realize that they made a mistake, or that I need to start doing a lot more, or that I'm not really needed and I'll be out on the street.
Maybe, I finally have a job that's like everyone else's. I should go home at five feeling may day is just beginning. I shouldn't fall asleep half an hour after eating supper. Maybe my job can be a part of my day and not all of my day. I like having my own desk, and I hope it becomes a comfortable place to be.
