The Professional Adieu

Farewells are always difficult, whether they are professional or personal.  Today marked the end of another chapter in my life as I said goodbye to my colleagues.  I have had a good 2.5 year run.  My work father gave me a big bear hug and was happy with his wine and chocolate.  My boss loved her gift and said it was thoughtful and fitting because she entertained alot.  I was also treated to a lovely lunch.  This is the way I wanted to leave: happy.  I am touched by how many people have told me they enjoyed working with me.  Hermits always assume no one cares about their existence.  One colleague said he learned alot from me, that is always an amazing thing to hear when one is just starting out in their career.  While it was hard, it felt right.

I am a big believer in saying goodbye the right way.  Why? Because it may be the last time you say goodbye.  Farewells are important.  They bring closure, peace, and comfort when tragedy strikes (all of us will experience tragedy).  A good farewell, especially in the work world, requires some planning.  Despite the lack of attachment associated with work, people still need time to process loss.  Even if that loss is an employee at the bottom of the organization who has decided to move on (like me).  So give your adieu a week in advance.

Then there is what to say.  Heartfelt, genuine, and positive are the themes that should come through in a written goodbye, no matter how unhappy you are.  Remember, you might cross paths again. Finally, there is the goodbye you give to those that you truly will miss.  That is the hardest of all.  Fortunately in the work world, an end to a work relationship opens the door to a personal one.  As I start the next chapter in my career, I am most looking forward to the new personal relationships that come with a professional adieu.  A top notch goodbye guarantees opportunities for life long friendships.

My last outfit....A little nostalgia from the college years.

Dress: From my college days (over 10 years ago)

Shoes: Madden Girl

Earrings: Self made

The Human Touch

On most days I consider myself to be a solitary person. Solitude seems to be essential in my ability to function. When people ask me to describe myself, I say that I am a modern day hermit, someone who doesn't really enjoy people. Humans, in general, are complicated, and too often unpleasant. Sometimes though, that same calming solitude, can be torture. It is a fine balance between serenity and loneliness.

This past weekend and today are fine examples of when the human touch can be nourishing to both the mind and soul. There are times when all of us need the company of friends and the appreciation of colleagues. We humans are social creatures after all. Interaction with other sentient beings is essential to our way of being.

The Mr. and I went to a potluck on Saturday where we spent several hours eating good food and having an engaging conversation with a physicist and former dancer (get your mind out of the gutter, she was not that kind of dancer). We talked about our families, the problems that ail our society, relationships, careers, but most of all we laughed. One cannot laugh and feel the full joy of that activity without the company of others. This brief moment was so perfect, I wish I could have bottled it up so I could bring it out in trying times. It never fails to amaze me how such pleasure can be had doing the simplest of activities.

Saturday Outfit to Potluck
Dress: Kohls
Purse: Wilsons Leather
Shoes: DSW
Necklace and Earrings: Made by me

            

Chickpea Dish Ingredients: Organic garbanzo beans, organic onions,organic potatoes, organic pasta sauce, Himalayan sea salt, Organic cayan pepper, Organic black pepper, grapeseed oil, Organic turmeric, allspice, curry  powder, organic ginger.
Riata (yogurt dish): Organic yogurt, organic cucumbers, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, organic cayan pepper, black
pepper, tamarind sauce

The perfection of that moment was followed by spending time with Maya on the beach the following day. My baby girl was unsure of the water at first, but with a little coaxing, she seemed to recognize its potential. She also thoroughly enjoyed chasing an inky black great dane that looked a bit like Marmaduke (albeit smaller). Needless to say, the weekend was pretty perfect. God, how I love having a dog. Hermits, it turns out, really enjoy pets.

Maya frolicking at the beach....

Enjoying the view

Splashing around

Making new friends

Playing with daddy

Posing with mommy

Finally, we come to today. I emailed my farewell note to everyone today. The response was overwhelming in a positive direction. I had no idea that so many people thought so highly of me, or would miss me for that matter. I always assumed no one noticed, it turns out I was wrong. No matter how awkward one is, or how reserved, we all want to be noticed. It is a shame we wait so long to tell people the things we think are great about them. Imagine what the world would be like if we spent half our time telling those we interact with everyday how their presence makes a difference in our lives. While I always say please and thank you, I don't tell people often enough how great they are. At this next job, I resolve to do this more. With those I care about, I resolve to do this half the time at minimum. After I tell people that I am a modern day hermit, I always point out, that hermits have hearts too. Ours are just more more prone to break than regular folks. So we have to spend a little more effort protecting them.

Outfit today.... 

100% Thrifted
Top: Urban Behavior
Skirt: The Limited
Shoes: BCBG

A Social Weekend

This was a lovely weekend.  On Saturday we went out with friends for some karaoke and today I spent a couple of hours hanging out with a dear friend.  I always forget how important this type of thing when I am in the thick of things.  Sometimes we need to take some time to simply reflect.  I am looking forward to this week as it will be the last week the office will be open for the year (yay!).  Then I get some much needed R&R before the new year rolls around.  So without further ado, here is the outfit I wore on Saturday: the top is Moda, the skirt is June (thrifted), and the boots are Ralph Lauren.

Off to a Party!

I went to some stores today, but I will admit I didn't keep to my different outfit everyday rule.  Laziness was the primary factor there.  Yesterday, I went to a friend's birthday party, and yes, I stuck to my rule.  Overall this experiment is going very well, I have essentially not repeated an outfit for about three months.  I still have plenty left in my wardrobe, so the experiment continues on.  Anyway, I bought this dress at a thrift store primarily because I loved the color.  Unfortunately, it didn't fit.  Now it does, so I thought this would be the perfect occasion to wear it.  I got the tights at a sock store in the mall, the shoes are Jessica Simpson, the bangle was a gift from my grandma, and I made the earrings.

A Black and White Day

I can't believe the end of the year is almost upon us.  Where did the year go?  Well it is absolutely freezing outside.  I suppose that's better than the piles of snow we had last year.  I forgot to mention where I went on Saturday.  The hubs, and friends of ours went to see a play called "Around the World in 80 Days."  Yes, this is an adaptation of the Jules Verne classic.  It was hilarious, we essentially laughed the entire time.  We also got to meet the cast, since one of them is the cousin of two of our friends.  I highly recommend folks to go see this play if it is being performed in your area, you will not be disappointed.  I have to say, I was reminded of how much I love theatre on Saturday.  It is something I will try to attend more of in 2011.  Well with that here is my outfit for today:  The jacket is thrifted, the shirt is Old Navy, the pants are The Limited, and the shoes are from Target.

A Weekend of Fun - Day 47 and 48

I had a very fun weekend.  On Saturday, the hubs and I went to a wedding for a co-worker (his co-worker).  We had a lovely time.  The wedding was held in a small, older church that was filled with simple, but charming details like stained wood and stained glass.  The minister had everyone laughing, so the occasion had a aura of joy to it.  That evening we went out with friends to celebrate Halloween.  I felt like I was in my mid-twenties again!  There is something about coming home at 2 am, eating leftover pizza from the day before that brings back memories of those charming years.  Naturally, both the hubs and I went in costume.  We spent today recovering from last night and running errands.  I didn't take a picture of what I wore today, I'll be sure to do that tomorrow.  So here is what I wore yesterday:  the dress is JS collection (this is what I got altered, it is also thrifted), the purse is thrifted, the shawl was a gift, and the shoes are Aldo.  I bought the halloween costume at one of those Halloween stores (I was a bad fairy).

 

Sunny Saturday - Day 40

Today was a stunner when it came to weather.  It was warm, sunny, and there was a crisp earthy scent of fall in the air.  We drove around to see the fall color in our area, which was lovely.  I am also gearing up for my trip, there is always so much to do before one goes on vacation.  The planning really helps build up the experience.  On another note, I love Facebook.  Though I am not especially active on it, this "social networking site" has allowed me to stay in touch with family overseas, reconnect with friends from my past, stay connected with friends who live far away (which is pretty much every close friend I have), and find my oldest, dearest, closest friend.  My closest friendship is with a lovely person from my childhood.  I have known her since I was five.  When I moved, we stayed in touch by writing each other letters about our lives (there was no e-mail in those days).  Then, around my freshman year of college, she disappeared from life.  I searched for her for years, but no luck.  Then two years ago, as if by some miracle, I found her on Facebook.  It has been such a comfort to have her back in my life.  There is something about friendships we make as children that are so different from the friendships we make as adults.  The friends from our early years are closer somehow and the bond of that friendship is much harder to break.  It is hard to describe, but one can feel the qualitative difference.  Perhaps it is the innocence of childhood that makes that relationship seem  more dear.  Well, enough of the nostalgia.  Here is my outfit for today:  the skirt is Old Navy, the T-shirt is from Target, the gray t-shirt is from Wal-mart, the leggings are from Charlotte Russe, and I don't remember where I got the shoes.