Eeenteresting!
Part of me is moaning and groaning that it’s only Wednesday. Another part of me is going, “Holy crap! It’s Wednesday! I start my new job in a week! What am I going to do?” There’s not much I can do but shut up and get working, so that’s what I intend to do right after breakfast (which I’m having as I write this).
The past few days have been a combination of odd and exhilarating. From telling my parents about my good luck (and weeping a bit) to telling my boss with glee (and skipping a bit), I’ve run the gamut of emotions many-a-time, but it’s mostly stayed towards the excited/giddy end of the spectrum. I’ve also jotted down more than a few beginnings to blog entries, but they never really made it to full-fledged blog postings. Here, however, are my thoughts over the past few days:
January 24: While at a farewell dinner with my work friends and sister, I learned some interesting information. Apparently, Dyn-o-mite has received a couple of calls concerning me (I’m sure it wasn’t my new employer–I asked that they please not contact my current boss), so consequently my supervisor and his supervisor were not surprised at all to hear of my departure. I’m really curious to know who’s been contacting my boss’ boss about me, and how many inquiries there have been. My boss, to his credit, mentioned to my friend that he was pretty sure I was unhappy at Dyn-o-mite, but he of course never did anything to address my unhappiness (which will always lead to a defection–this simple cycle, it does not click in this man’s mind). Oh, I’d love to have more details! Of course, I probably won’t get very many more, but the sheer satisfaction of leaving will console me.
My friends were kind enough to give me farewell/housewarming gifts. I got measuring cups and spoons (which every self-respecting baker needs!), kitchen towels (I have a kitchen scheme–woohoo!), and a photo album. We drank Mr. Misties and Bahama Mamas, ate some food that was not so hot, and laughed for the better part of two and a half hours. At the end, they all hugged me, wishing me luck in Blankety-Blank (an explanation as to why I haven’t said the new city name yet further down in this post), and asking me to keep in touch. Of course, I’ll talk with all of them today over IM, but it’s weird to think that the next time they get together, I won’t be around to participate. It’s hard to believe that this was the last time we’re getting together as a work group.
January 23: My boss’ probably intentional implication that I can’t find a job before I move notwithstanding, quitting today was remarkably easy. I have to tell you, I have never looked forward to a Monday as much as I looked forward to today. I was practically skipping when I parked my car and made my way to the office’s door. I ducked my head into my boss’ office, said my good mornings and how-was-your-weekends, and then sat down. I began by saying that I had accepted a position elsewhere, and that I was handing in my notice. I explained that I still had vacation days left, and that I would utilize five of my seven leftover vacation days as my second week of my two week notice. He accepted all of it with measured calm, telling me that he knew I wasn’t long for Dyn-o-mite and that he had been afraid, since Friday, that I was about to give my resignation. He asked for an exit interview (which I have to [carefully] craft answers to and remember to not sign anything), asked me to write down any “quirks” that my events might have (so it’ll be useful to the new editor handling my events), and acknowledged that I’d be returning my equipment on Friday. We shook hands, and then I went to my in-office friend’s office to tell her to gleefully anticipate the day she gets to leave (which will happen soon, I’m sure).
Other than, preparations are under way to get myself to Blankey-Blank (is it weird that I can’t bring myself to write the city name until I actually get there? Yeah, it is). I’ve made lists, I’ve been checking them twice, and gathering any and all information and papers that I might need for my move. I was scrambling today, looking for my naturalization certificate–the last time I used it was in 2003 when returning from the University of Toronto. I could not, for the life of me, find it. I looked up how much it would cost to replace my certificate–$220! I knew that I had left the certificate in a bright yellow folder, and knew that this folder had to be somewhere among my Toronto papers. Of course, it wasn’t. As a last-ditch effort, I looked in an older messenger bag that I had been using when I worked at Dyn-o-minte in-office. Bingo! My certificate was there. That was $220 saved.
Back to today: I keep on waking up around 5am, 6am, these days. Maybe it’ll serve me well in the near future (maybe in order to get runs out of the way before work), but it’s been mildly annoying lately. I am not getting enough sleep, and I feel very unproductive during the day. I packed a shitload of stuff yesterday (as witnessed by my complaining, I have too many things), but ended up wasting a good chunk of the day at the doctor’s office. I am, as expected, extremely healthy (my blood pressure’s spectacular, says my doc). It was more like a let-me-gush-about-my-good-fortune session than a doctor’s appointment–he asked me a bunch of questions regarding my mental and physical health, relationships, and levels of stress that invariably led back to a) I was a bit stressed due to my move, b) my relationships were wonderful, thank you–may I brag about my boyfriend and family a bit?, and c) physicially, I’m doing okay–I completed my first half-marathon last year, so I think I’m doing swell! After the doctor’s office, I went to the store to pick up some groceries with my mom. We got very little, and there is still very little stocked in the house–the woman has not been feeling well at all, and was diagnosed with a sinus infection yesterday afternoon. She came home early yesterday, then stayed home today.
Today, I really need to get my act together. While I think I’m in pretty great shape considering a whole bunch of my clothes and coat fit in my largest suitcase, I need to sit down and rewrite some lists that I’ll definitely need once I get myself to Blankety-Blank. When I do get to Blankety-Blank, I keep reminding myself, I need to be assured, confident, and decisive–as my mom pointed out yesterday in a spat of tears, I’ll be doing the financial thing on my own (though, as I gently corrected her, I won’t be totally alone emotionally–IP is there, and I will probably make friends through my work and the runnning club I want to join; also, I’m not going to live in a dangerous part of the Blankety-Blank area, so I am keeping safety in mind). I need to sit down and ask myself the questions I want to ask while apartment hunting, make sure my financial bases are covered (though, as of right now, I feel pretty secure, especially given that I’m not going to be without income for any considerable amount of time), and generally prioritize the things I need to do before next Wednesday. It’s a bit intimidating given I’ve been a Michigan girl more or less all of my life (does Toronto count? I don’t want it to), but I feel that I can do it, nay, need to do it. Simple as that.
Okay, now, breakfast is over and it’s time to “work.”
P.S. I guess, once I get to Blankety-Blank, I’ll have to create a new category to replace “Making Fun of Distance.” Suggestions? Maybe I should wait a few weeks–it could easily be “This Man Is Annoying the Hell Out of Me, Will He Get Out of My Queen Bed Already and Stop Eating My Mexican Rice?” ;)
