Unemployed girl

Yesterday was the day I'd been counting down to since July 11th, 164 days ago. The day I quit my job. I'd been building up to it slowly but surely. There were days when I was focused and worked hard but they were few and far between. There were days when I worked in short bursts, now writing frantically, now lounging apathetically, my head on the gel pad before my keyboard. And there were days when I sighed, moaned, groaned, and made repeated trips to the kitchen and the front desk (for munchies). Those increased in number as the number of colleagues I cared about decreased. Needless to say, I was completely disfunctional by the last day. I really did think I could finish that last topic but in the end, there were just so many distractions on the day, that I barely got into it.

The going away gathering was held early in the morning. I almost missed it. I was taken aback by the sincerety of Roger's speech. It was so tinged by nostalgia that I suddenly realized that I'd miss Laragh, particularly the Laragh that used to be, the one on Kloof Street with the intimate little rooms, run down though they were, with the friendly people who'd smile and introduce themselves, and show an interest in your life. The laid back Laragh.

I got a card that said "Congratulations". It had penguins on it, wishing another penguin goodbye as he flew off in a hot air balloon. It was sweet. Even the generic Good Lucks and Take Cares were sweet. Particularly sweet were Kirk and Karien's messages - short and sweet but signed "Love". I choked up.

My going away speech was impromptu but I really felt a gush of emotion for the place. Sure it hadn't all been rosy and great. There were some dire moments, it's true. But for the most part I was happy there, accepted by others, and valued for my contribution. For that I guess I'll always cherish it and look back at it with nostalgia.

At lunch I was ambushed by the Magic peeps. I suppose I should have expected it, since we've all become so adept at keeping secret the suprise gatherings and gift givings that we throw each other but I really didn't expect it. I honestly thought we were getting together for one last coffee break. There were Ethne and Sharon (my Alt+130 is not working on this laptop coz there's no keypad!), with chocolates and flowers, and a personalized card, which made the leaving so much more real. It wasn't just random people or casual acquaintances saying Goodbye from Laragh but also those who I'd been closest to during my time there, and those who'd managed to escape before me.

It was the first job that I've had where I can tell someone "Remember when..." and laugh about it. But it's over now. And I've three or four weeks left. Unemployed, future slightly uncertain, back in my mum's house, hoping things will go well and turn out they way we want them to.