Look me in the eye...
I'm sure most of you are aware by now that I'm off to Canada for a year in September. Accompanied by my good friend Andy (honestly, we're not gay! Ok, Canada allows Gay marriages but that's coincidence) we intend to make it in the new world and see if Vancouver is as lovely as everyone tells me it is.
Andy and myself currently work together. Today we told our bosses that in 3 months we would be leaving. They seemed to take it well (maybe too well...) and, though shocked, wished us all the best. I've heard horror stories of people being treated quite badly once they have told their bosses they are going, but it seems as if we are going to be ok.
The actual resigning though... I can honestly say it up there in the top 5 of the most nerve-wracking experiences of my life. Andy was the same. At first I was a bit puzzled as to why I was so worried. My heart was pounding, my hands shaking. According to Andy I went a very distinct shade of red. At least my neck did anyway.
Now having given it some thought, I think the reason we got so nervous is that it made the trip to Canada all that more real. When I leave I would of been in this job for bang on 3 years. Those years have been relatively important in terms of my transition from the hangover from university to enjoying my 20s and the freedom I have. It was the job that gave me the money to move out and get a place with Lew, Jas and Simon. It taught me lots. It saved me from the horrors of temping. I met Andy through work who I'm now going on this slightly mad adventure to Canada with. Basically in 3 years of change it has been something in my life that has remained constant.
So to actually make real all the talk of leaving, to say the words, was to say my first goodbye to it all. The job is comfortable. Which of course is the very reason I have to leave. I'm too young to be comfortable, I need to be challenged, I need some excitement, if I am to become more of the person I want to be.
Then return to the UK in Sept 2006 and beg for my job back!
posted by Ian @ 4:34 pm
2 comments
2 Comments:
Hello Andy here,
I don't think of myself as someone who scares easily. Apart from my numerous driving tests, dreams about ex-girlfriends and Grace Jones (poor Russell Harty), nothing terrifies me to the core so badly that I can no longer function.
Enthused by my mindless optimism, I felt Bullish as I strode confidently into work on Friday morning. Sure of our position, and safe in the knowledge that we were doing the right thing.
The problems started when our scheduled time for our meeting, when we were going to announce to our bosses our leaving, was moved. We were put on a sort of standby, which put us permanently on edge and began to dramatically erode my desire to actually do this.
Then all of a sudden, our Boss popped out and asked Ian and myself to pop in for our meeting.
As we walked in the Director handed over our new contracts. He then asked if there were any problems? Probably for the first time ever, I was completely stumped. Couldn’t utter a squeak.
Ian, although so red around the neck that I was worried he might not survive the ordeal, stepped up and very eloquently told our rather stunned Bosses that we were going.
I piped up at the end putting my two pence worth in, trying not to look like the frightened wimp that I clearly was.
Like Ian I don't know why such a big fuss made, but we were very nervous.
I think that this event has startled Ian a bit. He has seen it as the next step, each one making the experience more real. This step, being the biggest so far.
As a natural born worrier, I have already played out every conceivable Canada related scenario in my head already. Therefore, I have (probably only momentarily) lost any real apprehension.
I feel that since telling our bosses, a sort of tractor beam has made contact and is now slowly pulling me towards Canada.
I for one am happy to walk into the light.
Andy
All I can say is, thank God you're finally going.
All I've heard from Ian for the past three years is "I'm definitely quitting next month", so well done to both of you for taking the courage to finally make the move. It's a big step, but as the hackneyed (but true) phrase goes, "the first step is always the hardest".
You're both going to have the absolute time of your lives in Canada, and in a year's time you'll both be wondering what the hell you were doing staying in that job for so long.
As they say in Japan, gambatte!!! (Good luck!!!)
Post a Comment
<< Home