(no subject)

[oyceter]

First day of work today -- v. scary. Too much orientation. Must decide on health care plan now -- anyone around here have any recommendations? The company is offering Aetna PPO, Aetna HMO and Kaiser Permanente (HMO I think). My head hurts from waking up too early in the morning, my feet are killing me (I am never wearing high heels again. Ever. I miss my Tevas), and my brain hurts from trying to keep myself from doing anything too insanely stupid or clumsy. Mostly it was the last part that was the worst (although my feet really, really hurt). I feel a little like Kate from Sorcery and Cecelia, but I was quite sure that I was going to do something stupendously clumsy, since I'm very good at that sort of thing, especially when nervous.

No work assigned yet, so I sat in my little cubicle and wandered around the company website. Happy things include discounted tickets to Great America, other discounts, and, most importantly, $5 movie tickets at any AMC theatre. Whoo!

However, I have forgotten about the massive corporate-ese that's everywhere, and little things like break rooms and cafeterias and the like. This reminds me too much of Merrill, which is bad. However, though the other new hires I was with seemed kind of scary and business-like, the group I'm working with mostly seems friendly and funny. Which is very much of the good. And I sat in some session with the new software they'll be using, and I think I get some of it, and most of it is on website stuff anyhow, so at least I am not too overwhelmed. And I get some projects or whatnot to work on tomorrow, which is good. Well, that is, if I can do them.

But the utter new-ness of everything is scary. I miss the bookstore, and familiar people. Sigh. I'm never good at this type of starting-over-new thing.

Comments

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

When I moved to CA, my specialist warned me against Kaiser in strong terms. They're fine for routine day-to-day care, but if you get seriously ill they are likely to undertreat you. (So said my specialist; other people like Kaiser a lot.) Everybody I know who has Kaiser has complained of the difficulty of getting seen.

[oyceter]

Thanks! I think I may do the Aetna PPO thing then...

[tonapah.livejournal.com]

Whatever you do, don't take an HMO. You will never get treatment, and when you do, it won't be covered. Definitely take the PPO.

[oyceter]

Thanks for the advice!

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

PPOs are always better than HMOs, unless you can't afford the difference, and I too have heard very bad things about Kaiser. I don't know about Aetna.

[oyceter]

I've heard nothing about Aetna, but you're the fourth person or so today who's said bad things about Kaiser.

[ywong.livejournal.com]

Sorry if I wasn't paying attention earlier, but where do you work now?

[oyceter]

At Altera.

[ywong.livejournal.com]

Hey, I know someone who works there. Her name is Jan. Though it's probably a large enough company that you don't know her.

[oyceter]

Yeah, plus, I'm having hard enough time remember the ten or so people I have met ;).

[angeyja.livejournal.com]

PPO. And lotsa best wishes your way.

[oyceter]

Thanks!

Still a bit nervous -- the corporate environment reminds me too much of ibanking, and I guess I'm not very used to it right now.

[jcalanthe]

Yay surviving first day at the new job!

Kaiser is evil. I can't begin to describe just how deeply they've screwed my partner over - she's still in legal wrangling with them over the financial end of it. They're comparatively cheap, and the one-stop-shopping approach is convenient, but I know too many people with bad experiences with them.

Aetna I don't know much about at all, but I agree with the folks above that PPO is going to get you more options.

[oyceter]

Wow, ok, I think I will definitely avoid Kaiser.

Thanks!

[minnow1212.livejournal.com]

I was okay with Aetna at my last job, although I didn't use them often. BUt yes, PPO would be a better choice than HMO if you can afford it.

[oyceter]

Thanks!

work

[(Anonymous)]

do you have an office/cubicle phone? i can call you from my office. :)

(anlee)

Re: work

[oyceter]

Feel sort of weird chatting at the office now.. maybe later after I get used to it a bit?

Umm thingies?

[cychi.livejournal.com]

Good luck!!!!!!!! I'm so glad you finally got a new place to be =) i'm sure you'll be fine, you are way too nice not to be! Just don't automaticly give anyone your candy money!

Re: Umm thingies?

[oyceter]

Hee, thanks ^_^. Still nervous now... too much unfamiliar stuff!