I wake to the sound of a loud beeping alarm on my clock. My hand shoots out from the warmth of the blankets and into the cold air to turn it off. It’s 9:00 AM. I lazily yawn while stretching my arms up. I twist in opposite directions to stretch and crack my back. Take a moment to reflect as bubbles of excitement begin to flutter in my stomach. Been waiting for this day for so long and now it's finally here. I begin working in a psychiatric hospital that's a town away; Mayfair Hospital. 

I got a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and am now headed towards my masters. I am lucky to get a job as a psychiatric technician at the prestigious private hospital. This is the biggest step to having my dream job come true, which is being a therapist and psychiatrist.

On my way to getting my bachelor’s, I've focused on studying and not working. I have done a residency at one public hospital but this year I believe I am ready to take on both; another degree and a real steady job. My parents have been extremely supportive in many ways; money, school, and career wise. I'm so thankful and understand how privileged I am, but I realize I can't mooch off them forever. Although they'd love nothing more for me to. 

This is what I want to do for the rest of my life. It's not about the money for me. Helping people has always brought me the utmost joy. Something within me has always felt the need to help and putting a smile on people's faces is reward enough for me, as cliché as it sounds. I know it's not going to be that simple as getting a smile in this field of work but I'm ready to have the actual real life experience.

A week prior to this day, a woman over the phone told me “new hires first day starts at 10 A.M. The first day we'll have a tour of the unit to scope out the place, training and observing the rest of the week at 7 A.M.” my stomach fills with excitement not fully knowing what’s to come. 

I get out of bed and put on one of the scrubs I got mailed a week ago with a letter essentially saying the new nurses wear light blue scrubs to differentiate who’s new and who’s not. I wonder a bit about what color you wear when you're more experienced; can you eventually wear scrubs you can buy with cute designs on it? I've always wanted to do that. When will I be considered experienced? Finally on, the outfit is a bit form fitting for my taste but not too much. 

I look at myself in the bathroom mirror. I'm met with my hazel eyes, which all my life I've been told resemble my mother's by every relative on her side of the family. Although I always thought hers were more green then mine, which are more blue. I look at the freckles scattered upon my face, it’s winter now so it’s not as many as I usually would have. Glance at possible imperfections to pick at before brushing off the thought. Brush my teeth, wash my face and wipe it with a towel to apply some makeup. A very casual look; tan eyeshadow and some mascara. Grabbing a hair clip off the sink cabinet I twist my hair up and clip it. 

Heading downstairs and I feel my phone vibrate and it light up with the words 'Mom' on it.

“Good morning, Alane,” I say.

“Oh, Elle, I hate when you call me that, it’s mom.”

I snort in response as I head to the kitchen to fix up breakfast and coffee. 

“I just wanted to call you quickly and wish you luck on your first day. You've really worked so hard for this and your father and I are so proud of you.” Alane says as I scoop the ground up coffee into top of my new percolator, and add water. The percolator was a graduation gift my parents bought for me. Useful and needed and enables the caffeine addiction I run on. I place my phone on the counter and put it on speaker. 

“Thank you, mom. I appreciate that. I'm super nervous, I think I'm sweating through my scrubs.”

“Oh, jeez." She laughs. "Also, make sure you have a real breakfast!"

"Actually, I bought myself some frozen microwaveable breakfast burritos! Quick and easy, thanks for the reminder." I say and grab the breakfast burrito I'm speaking of from the freezer, take off the plastic wrapping and place it on a napkin in the microwave and heat it for the time stated on the box.

"I said real breakfast, but, okay, that's better than nothing." I can hear her shrug. The percolator finishes and I get a thermal cup from the cabinets and pour a fresh steaming cup of coffee into it and put the lid on.

"Ya, no, I definitely don't have the time for 'real breakfasts.' I'm a college student." I can't feel her rolling her eyes at me as she sighs.

 "Well, I love you and I hope you have a great day, I want to hear about it later! Your father and I will be cheering you on."

"Thanks mom, I love you and dad too. Bye!"

"Bye!"

We hang up.

The microwave beeps and I open the door to let the steam and heat out. Then I go over to the fridge and take out my packed lunch and put it into an insulated lunch box. Then I go back to the microwave hoping the burrito cooled down enough to eat quickly, I need to get going. It doesn't feel hot so when I bite into it I'm surprised when it burns my tongue.

"Ow!" But I eat it anyway, blowing on the next pieces like it'll help. I look at the time; 9:27.

I grab everything I need, checking over everything a few times before leaving.