I went to the office this morning and discovered that the office elves had been busy!
 |
| On top of the cubicle walls |
There were streamers hanging from the ceiling and a banner on the outside of the cubicle walls, but I forgot to take pictures of them.
 |
| On my coat rack |
There were also stickers, all over the cubicle - on the outside and inside of the wall panels, and
 |
| On the computer monitor |
 |
| On the locker |
For a moment, I thought they had the date wrong and thought that today was my last day, not next Friday! Then, I thought maybe they wanted me gone sooner! But, I've been assured that they just wanted me to enjoy the decorations all next week, instead of just the last day.
These "elves" go out of their way every year to cheer up our offices during various holidays. They spoil the rest of us with candy and doughnuts and various treats throughout the year. They, and the rest of my colleagues, have done much to make it easier for me to do my work over the past 35 years. They have been a big blessing in my life and I am so grateful to have known them and for their many acts of kindness. I know I am going to miss them all.
Very nice! Plus having it a week early made it more of a surprise to you! You will miss them, for sure! Andrea
ReplyDeleteIt was very much a surprise! I wasn't expecting it, at all!
DeleteOh wow! How lovely of the Elves, and also thoughtful, to decorate your cubicle and a whole week in advance so you can fully savor the moment!
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't know why but I thought you'd decided to retire at the end of August after all, so it took me by surprise to read that next Friday is your last day! How exciting for you, Bless!!!
It was very nice of them to do so, I thought. :)
DeleteWell, the plan is, I will work until next Friday, then, take all the vacation time I've accumulated. I will be putting in my retirement application sometime in August, but won't be officially retiring until the end of September, or, even, the first week of October. I might go in to the office, a couple of days between now and then, just to finish up a couple of things (and I'll need to turn in my office keys, employee ID, etc., which I won't do until the very end).
That's awesome! I also think it's awesome you have stayed at the same place for 35 years. Congratulation to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mia. :) Hope you are keeping well and all is OK with you.
DeleteWhat a wonderful advanced send off! Nice elves you have there!
ReplyDeleteThey are some of the best elves, I think. :)
DeleteThat is so thoughtful, and I do hope you really enjoy your final week!
DeleteIt was very thoughtful of them, wasn't it? It certainly made my day and made me feel happy!
DeleteWhat a lovely surprise! You have very kind elves. And I like the idea of you being able to enjoy the decorations all week and not just on your last day.
ReplyDeleteNot long now. X
It certainly was a surprise! I wasn't expecting it! No, not long, at all!
DeleteWhat a lovely gesture. I think that is much lovlier than a party with speeches, etc. Your last few days will feel very festive. I love the fact that you have office elves.
ReplyDeleteIt is very kind of them, isn't it? They have asked me what I want to do for my retirement and I said I didn't want a big fuss. I didn't want to go out to lunch, or dinner after work, etc. It's too much of an expense for some people, I know; I've seen too many announcements saying so-and-so is retiring and contribute $40 for lunch, etc. People have been nice to me while I worked with them, day in and day out for 35 years; that's what counts.
DeleteSurprises like that are the best. Thirty-five years at the same job is unheard of these days. Congratulations! Can I ask what it is that you do?
ReplyDeleteThey are definitely the best kind of surprises. For the first 5 years of my career, I did various administrative jobs from processing bill payments to Personnel-related tasks to administering a $20 million dollar fund (and, yes, I balanced that fund to the penny! :D ). None of them were related to my education and degree which was in Biology and Environmental Sciences! For the past 30 years, however, I've been working in the field of environmental analysis, analyzing the impacts of major developments and preparing environmental documents to be forwarded to the decision-makers who decide whether to approve or disapprove the proposed development. Some of the reports are prepared by outside consultants, but I am responsible for reviewing them for accuracy and content and to ensure that the resulting documents are compliant with the latest environmental laws and legally defensible when lawsuits are brought against the proposed projects. Prior to that, I worked for 2 years with an office space design company, doing administrative work, back in 1982 & 83. Again, not in my field of study, but it was the Reagan-era when environmental regulatory programs were being defunded; it was not a good time for someone with a masters in environmental science to be looking for a job in her field. :)
DeleteIt's been very hard to get a job in environmental sciences for several years now. Actually, it's been very hard to even get into a decent master's program in it. My nephew is a case in point. He graduated several years ago with a dual degree in environmental sci and comp. sci. with excellent grades, good work experience, etc. and he had a hard time getting a job. The only job he could get for a while was in the local nursery and couldn't get into the master's programs he wanted. (All of the people already working in the field were going back to school because the jobs were gone. They got all of the slots.) He now has a job with a company that does energy audits but that company is hanging on by a thread. But after 35 years, we'll see where he's been.
DeleteI think CA has more environmental laws than many other states, so there may be a few more places to get jobs there, I'm guessing.
I'd have thought that your nephew would be a much sought out employee with his double degrees, especially when one of them is related to computers! But, yes, it's a difficult field in which to find employment. My position will be eliminated once I retire, for example, so my leaving won't allow someone else with an environmental degree an opportunity to get a job. But, tell your nephew to check with any law firms with land use attorneys, if he hasn't already done so - environmental law is a thriving field. Also, I suggest checking with the local water district, city and county planning departments, etc. And, if he has the opportunity to intern with a company or agency in the field, suggest he does so. Tell him that I wish him all the best as he pursues a career in the field.
DeleteWhat a lovely surprise for you. I know you have worked there for a long time but have you worked with lots of your colleagues for a long time as well? I've just read your explanation of your job on the previous comment - it sounds complicated, but interesting, and carries a lot of responsibility by the sounds of it.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was a lovely surprise, Eileen. I have worked with a few of my colleagues for 30 years! One of them, for 31 or 32 years, because I interacted with him even when I was in another department. But, a lot of my long-term colleagues have retired and the rest, like me, are starting to retire.
DeleteWhat a lovely surprise for you Bless. 35 years that is amazing! You were so lucky to find work related to your degree, many cant.
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful surprise, Sharon. Nice to hear from you; hope all is well with you.
Delete