Running out of time

1 day to D-day
I can't believe how fast time is passing. It feels like only the other day when I was tendered my resignation. It was just one of those strange moments - one of those times which has been building up for a while and you just know you have to do, but when you get there.. well...

It was a Monday morning, I'd booked it in the calendar the week before. Originally I was just going to sit down and tender it formally in my boss' office, but he suggested that we head down to our local coffee shop and have a chat over a cup. We’d just sat down (off to the side, glass to our right, my back to the main entrance) and I looked him in the eye and just blurted "I'm not sure how to say this - but I’m leaving". Not really that dramatic I guess, but I don't think I gave any real indications before that.

It wasn't an easy thing to do, trying to balance not being relegated to the departure lounge and giving proper notice. I think I did the right thing, and all in all I think my decision was taken pretty well – I just can’t believe that I've survived another 5-weeks of work since. Then again, those last 5-weeks was a pretty tough time for the whole team with potential changes in the wind.

Fits of nostalgia
So now I’m sitting in front of the old desktop computer back in the parental home. I’ve been back since Sunday. The eucalypts are blowing in the wind out the window - I’d forgotten how much I like the view here. It’s just me and the hum of the computer fan. Although my things are as good as packed and I’ve got last minute shopping booked in for this afternoon, reality still has yet to kick in. I just hope I can sleep tonight.

The past weeks in review
What’s been keeping me busy?
Work farewell – also happened to be my birthday that week (Nov 7 – 12)

• Tuesday was Kathy and my farewell luncheon. We went to a little Italian pizzeria called Bar Reggio on Crown Street. Shared pizzas worked out to be $12 a head. Neil was kind enough to provide wine for all. Everybody shared the bill.
• Kristin’s charity event @ Pyrmont later that night. Dr Feelgood (10-piece funk band featuring our Nicky!) featured. Stopped for kebabs on Cleveland later that night (thanks for driving Luke!) and then somehow we ended up spinning bottles in the loungeroom. Glad there weren’t any cameras around!
• Thursday had a quiet drink at the Burdekin for general work people. Had a crowd of 6. Special thanks to Anmarie & Kate, Mona, Goran, Lauren and Sarah, Khoi & Oskar for showing. Also thanks for Greg for giving me a call and wishing me the best. It was a nice quiet night. I’ll remember to send out proper calendar invites next time if I want company!
• Friday night my last day at work. Received a Krispy Kreme, card and certificate!
• Saturday was a quiet birthday day and night - in studying and trying not to panic.
  

Law exams and catching people (Nov 13 – 19)

• Sunday I was persuaded out for ‘a birthday drink’ in Newtown @ the Marly bar with Alo & Suze in the afternoon. By 10am I’d had several birthday drinks and was ready to get some shut eye – three cheers for Absinthe cocktails!
• Monday was a study study study day. Minimal hangover.
  
• Tuesday was my Law of Tort exam. Worst exam I’ve sat in my life. I’ve never freaked like that before, and hope it never happens again. Keep you posted.
  
• Wednesday was my catch-up and coffee day with friends. Saw Sach, Dave, Wendy, Amy, Josh and Brendan. It was a nice day. Glad I caught so many people!
• Thursday was moving preparation day. Drinks @ the Statement with Nick & Carli, Em & Tam and (of course!) Alo. Alo and I tried for dinner at Woolloomooloo but being a school night they’d closed all the kitchens by 10. We lucked out in Stanley Street. Chicken for me. Risotto for Al.
• Friday was meet Sal (Minnie and little Benji) & the work gang for coffee in the city. Visit work (yes K, I popped in to work – shame on me!). Then Mark came around and we spent the afternoon moving. Two ute trips later we’d got most of the major items. Then it was off to Miranda (late – sorry Eric, Dave & Jacqui. Me bad!) for a movie – The Corpse Bride. Bizarre movie. Sylavnia Maccas debrief. Yawning by 11pm...
• Saturday more last minute shopping for friends and then dinner at Leichhardt in the Italian Forum with Brendan, Em and Josh. It was a great night, we had a bit of wine with dinner (Seafood platters aren’t bad at all), then up to Bar Italia for coffee. Ran into Christine VT and chatted at her for a good quarter hour, before her family grabbed her. Back to mine for a port and nostalgic reflection. Going to miss those Thursday night dinners with you guys. Miss them a lot.
  
• Sunday my day of home rest. Taking the last of my pieces home. Packing the suitcase. Hassling my brother's girlfriend! The local gang took me out for a drink and Thai. It was a fun night. All 12 of us packed in this cute restaurant wreaking merry havoc. Then off to Beverly Hills for late Sunday gelato and a few more laughs. Tiramisu was great. Thanks guys!
  
• Monday was last errands day… Managed to make it to Aiki (after 3 weeks of neglect.. feel that technique escape me!) then onto Leichhardt for a final goodbye meal - thanks for the card and present Kristin. Both were awesome. Tam visited. Took me 2.5 hours to get home. Buses weren't running by 11:40 and the walk home from the station took 1 hour. They're still twingey!
  
• Which brings me to today – frittering away my early afternoon on here. Shame on me! Better get into some of that last minute organisation!
  

It's 6 weeks on and I feel like I've just blinked and I'm here. No accounting for time. Glad I don't have to fill in personal time sheets.