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June 27, 2005
Last and First
Well, what do you know? The time has arrived. Today is my last day at my now almost-old job.
Time is a funny thing. I once read that it is unusual for today�s college graduate to stay with their first job for more than a few years. I began at mine when I was twenty-one years old, three months after graduating college. Though I have worn several hats in these six years, I have remained at the same organization. I have watched at least four rounds of employees come and go, the result of changing politics and times. I have seen people fresh out of college arrive, work for a few years, then depart for graduate school. Throughout the waves, I have stayed, absorbing, learning, and dragging my feet a bit, a tad stuck by the fear of change and love of stability.
All of this makes leaving seem very surreal. Even more so is the fact that I start at my new job tomorrow. I thought it might be easier this way�no gaps of time to think too much, to accumulate too much anxiety, etc. Now it seems a little awkward to depart on a Tuesday.
My desk is pretty much packed, save my Jim Henson action figure, and my files are thinned out and ready for someone else to take them on. My avocado plant in ready for transport, whenever I can rustle up a car. In short, my life is ready for the next change. Now, what do I do for the rest of my ten working hours? And how weird will it be to walk out that door this afternoon and never come back?
Posted by callalillie at June 27, 2005 1:44 PM | The Year of Change , Work
It's true, time is a funny thing. So is change. They go hand in hand. I am so happy for you and all the changes you are going through. Although it's surreal in a way it is a new road in life so click your heels and hang on to ToTo (or Irving) and know we're cheering you on to new beginnings.
You know those flying monkeys aren't all bad.
Posted by: Vickie at June 28, 2005 7:43 AM
that's a really excellent photo. good luck on your last day of work -- my last day is tomorrow. (yikes)
Posted by: yp at June 28, 2005 9:01 AM
If anyone can identify what kind of flower that is, I'd be very appreciative. I stole it out of a flower arrangement in the office and have been scratching my head about its "species" ever since...
Posted by: corie at June 28, 2005 9:22 AM
First, you carouse. Then you devote 45 minutes to wondering, "Oh my gods, am I making the biggest mistake of my life, leaving this place that I know for a potentially new and worse hell?" Then you devote 45 minutes to thinking about why this place was a suburb of hell with fluorescent lighting, and conclude that it's time for a new experience, hellish or not. Then you arrange to go out to the karaoke place in Red Hook with former coworkers in late July. See? It's pretty simple.
Posted by: Velma at June 28, 2005 9:58 AM
You know if i was in town, I would probably have rustled up a marching band or something to escort you out of the building with a flourish.
I suggest leaving early. ;)
Congratulations, honey. I can't wait to be there by your side for all of the changes, both wonderful and terrifying, to come.
Posted by: Alexis at June 28, 2005 10:08 AM
as part of the cycle of four employees who have come and gone, and someone who has seen and experienced your blossoming (not unlike the flower), let me say how proud i am of you, to know you, and to accompany you in any way on this journey. you have been terrificly dedicated when you didn't need to be. you have shown your maturity and kindness when it wasn't earned. you have shown your caring and thoughtfulness when you didn't get any back. YOU should be proud of your accomplishments, and contribution to the larger effort. you may not see it now, but you have had an affect on people, the system, and hopefully kids will indirectly benefit.
you should reflect on how much you have grown. write your final email. go to lunch, and definately leave early. tomorrow is a brand new chapter in your life, relish it.
much love ---
Posted by: skutchie at June 28, 2005 10:58 AM
I think it's very exciting. And scary. But mostly exciting.
Posted by: breana at June 28, 2005 11:33 AM
Hey, is that the Jim Henson figure that I found for you on the Internet?
Posted by: ccs178 (Chris) at June 28, 2005 11:35 AM
Interestingly enough, this is the day I leave early, anyway, to go shrink my head.
Yes, Chris, that's the Jim Henson. Along with Waldorf and Stadtler.
Posted by: corie at June 28, 2005 11:53 AM
Congratulations! Good luck to you! I have a good book - Pictorial Cyclopedia of Exotic Plants - and I will try identify what kind of flower is that. Great photo!
Posted by: Sonia at June 28, 2005 12:44 PM
good luck! hopefully they buy/bought you lunch on your last day!
Posted by: rachelle at June 28, 2005 1:57 PM
So which cycle of employees do I belong to? =)
Congrats and best of luck with your new job!
Posted by: JP at June 28, 2005 2:51 PM
Posted by: ccs178 (Chris) at June 28, 2005 3:34 PM
Posted by: WilliamFuentes.com at June 28, 2005 6:20 PM
*Gulp* I didn't hear any mention of the Macintosh... please tell me it wasn't trashed. If I didn't live 2000 miles away, I'd have adopted it.
Good luck on the new jobby!
Posted by: matt at June 28, 2005 6:43 PM
good luck my dear, I am so proud of you! I hope your new job cracks open the world in a way that you would have never even imagined. Bonne Chance!...hurry up with your good byes so that we can go get a drink...i think we missed happy hour at benny's
Posted by: jenn at June 28, 2005 7:00 PM
Hi Corie, I quest the flower's name with Roz Cawley, from "Autumn Cottage Diarist", link http://rozcawley.typepad.com/autumn_cottage_diarist/. She is a gentle lady and a botanic's expert and found it.
The name is: Scabiosa stellata
Common name: starflower pincushions
Family: dipsacaceae.
I will send by e-mail another link.
Hope this is of help!
Posted by: Sonia at June 30, 2005 1:51 PM
Thanks! What a great name.
Posted by: corie at July 1, 2005 11:43 AM
