There has been great advice posted above on using bar end shifters.

If you decide that bar end shifters aren't for you you can always pick up a pair of Paul Thumbies and use the shifters you have now on these. This product turns bar end shifters into thumb shifters. I wasn't a fan of bar ends and I did give the the good college try. They were on bars similar to yours. My wife didn't like them either and her bike was switched over to Paul Thumbies.

BTW congratulations on your new bike. I am sure that in time the wait will be forgotten.