My Last Day

Yesterday, Feb. 3, was my last day at my current job. It was a very, very b-u-s-y day for me.  I still attended an AR meeting my our boss where he announced the Six Sigma was to be launched on Monday.  No one in the group actually knows what Six Sigma is all about, except me.  I know this is similar to Change Management, a management tool for process improvement which I was heavily involved with while in Manila.  Unfortunately, I told everyone I was on my way out.

At lunch, Craig, our service manager hosted a lunch for me and my group and everyone else who were around to partake of 3 BIG box of assorted pizzas from Delizia (a very good italian restaurant specialty for pizzas). Then I was surprised with a big cake with the words :Lita, we will miss you!" -accompanied by a card signed by everyone.  Then I was given 8 balloons with the words "Congratulations" (?)  I guess they meant...good for you...you are moving to a much better place!?I also received two gifts from Rachel and Donna complete with very touching "we will miss you" cards.  Of course, I took pictures with everyone and really took time to have pictures of my favorite people: technicians Oscar and Edgar, Roy (warehouse manager, who used to be our operations manager), Vicki our temp receptionist, Carol our safety trainor, Vashali our billing clerk, Paula, our office manager who was the only female employee and me during Kamp Fire's time, Wanda of customer service, Craig,  and of course, Rachel and Donna.

Then later in the afternoon, I trained and gave pointers to Rachel who will be taking over some of my accounts A-B-C, Donna my accounts D-E-F, Joe Sallustro who is in charge of first aid accounts--my accounts G-H.  My accounts were redivided into 3 upon my suggestion to our boss which he readily approved.  I handle very sensitive and time-consuming accounts and it was important for me to leave some pointers to Rachel and Donna. Then I made a long email to all the managers about certain accounts' status with issues.

My car looked like a junkyard: with boxes, plastic bags, folders, papers, etc. a box of leftover cake and pizza, balloons, my boom box radio, my small live plant, picture frames, etc. Rachel and Donna helped me to my car.

Honestly,  I was misty eyed seeing all the fuss around me, and for me.  Everyone said they will miss me...and I know they are sincere in saying that to me.  I make them laugh, they said, and that  they will miss my being a naturally funny, hardworking partner.  (all employees here are called partners). I also know what our customer service manager, Jenn,  told our boss when our boss  announced to all  managers that I was leaving-- "You don't know what you are losing"!!I   How nice of Jenn to say that of me.

Everyone  hugged  me while saying, they will miss me.  I  answered I will miss them too, which is really true and coming from my heart.  But like what my husband tells me--"friends at work are great but these friends won't pay your rent!!"

During my last week, I made it a point to call all my accounts which became close to me somehow...and we exchanged emails, phone numbers, etc. and told them I will be in touch, something  I will really do. And everyone who knows where I will transfer have good words about the next company.  They all have heard of it which  I will be a part of starting Feb. 6.  Oh well, I do not even have a few days break in between jobs---it will be hard work for me starting next week!

Of course apart from being sad from leaving my friends and current job , I also feel somewhat apprehensive because I will have to learn again, make new friends at work again, new policies, new structure, new leadership, etc.  But at this point, I guess I am optimistic that I can be a worthy employee as in all my past jobs.  I know God will be with me on this move as He was the giver of this new opportunity.  Thank you Lord for the friends I have made and for the new friends I will make.  Most of all, thank you for this new job!