Free!

Today is my last day with my (soon-to-be)-ex-employer.

Yesterday I spent a couple of hours taking care of last-second details such as cleaning files and the few emails I had kept around. And my desk.

I had already talked to many of my colleagues in the previous weeks, letting them know I will be leaving, and saying goodbye in person. So when I sent a global farewell email yesterday, I didn't expect any replies. But they came anyway - people telling me they'll miss me and wishing me good luck - and I was ever so pleased to read them!

Surprisingly, other than these emails, I didn't have any other emotional moment. I told my husband that I'm not sure whether I should feel melancholic or elated, but I felt neither. Perhaps that's because I have an exciting new job ahead of me, and many of my former colleagues will be my new colleagues in the new place! I do feel a bit like a bird in a flock that's migrating to better grounds!

But in the meantime, I am free! (which sounds better than unemployed). I have four months of complete freedom ahead of me - and I was trying to remember the last time I had so much - and came up with, 'before I started kindergarden.' Maybe. I assume. Except I suspect that back then, I still had to go to bed when told, and eat when told, and make my bed in the morning, and all that.

I will not make my bed one single time during this vacation! Except if I feel like it. Or if I have to (can't leave a mess behind us when we travel).

Which reminds me: I also need to clean the house. And the fridge.

Maybe not as free as I thought.

But close!