Well as expected the first few days with my new employer started slowly for various reasons:

• I am completely new to the business domain, so it feels a little as if I am not contributing anything.    My old manager stated that it takes 3+ months to become really productive in a new environment.    I am hoping to do it in less than that.   :)
• The development method is new to me, but I must say that I really like the principles behind Agile
• Staff came back from long leave within week 2-3 week of the month
• Members of the team I belong to have been flying around the globe on various work assignments

Lastly, I received the first notes from Stellenbosch on how the research thesis should be structured.  It is going to be a LOT of late nights in the first half of the year.