My engagement team management sponsored an ice cream party for me today. I was given a budget and allowed to purchase a variety of ice cream and toppings. A wonderful administrative assistant helped me to book a large conference room with a kitchen extension for it.
I went to Trader Joe's and Shaw's and procured all sorts of ice cream flavors - pistachio, coffee, chocolate, cherry with chocolate chip, mint chocolate chip, cookie dough, banana split, maple walnut, peanut butter, french vanilla, mochi ice cream in chocolate, strawberry, green tea, mango... different ice cream bars, and even a funny-sounding/tasting lemon and ginger snap ice cream from TJ's. We had waffle cones, sugar cones, chocolate syrup, m&ms, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup. The cashier at TJ's told me, "You must be really loved."
Ice cream set-up for the party
I gave a speech afterwards - a long and irreverent one. It was a combo Oscar speech and improv comedy. I joked that when I first started, I had no notion of what was appropriate or inappropriate to say in a group setting. Everyone laughed. One of my directors commented, "And that has changed how?!!" I think I may have horrified some people who didn't know me that well, but those that knew me better were quite entertained.
Grateful is what I feel right now for having been a part of this department. I felt accepted and appreciated by everyone. I'm far from perfect (and also far from politically correct, as my speech proved) and I have had moments at work that I am not very proud of. To still be showered with so many sincere well-wishes especially from people I trust, respect, and admire is truly wonderful.
Afterwards, some senior people at my department as well as peers of mine went to a hot pot buffet in Chinatown. We ate so much I think we are all set for the next few months. We talked about all sorts of things, even very personal things, and I received more well-wishes and much-needed advice and moral support. I thought to myself that if I could just hold on to this feeling of everyone's energy bolstering and encouraging me, I will find it in myself to know that I will be more than fine. I know I will go through tough times ahead, but if I can just remember what I have received today, I would find the strength to keep going.
My workplace has been like a family to me for the past four years. Sure, we are all there to get some serious work done. But in the meantime I have formed really intimate friendships and relationships. We have spent so much time with one another and weathered all kinds of things together, it's inevitable that our lives have become a part of one another's in a meaningful way.
I definitely grew a lot while in this group. I learned to not take things too personally and to lighten up. I learned how to rely on others, that people do not exist in a vacuum, that they do affect one another and that little things do matter.
I learned that even though we are all co-workers, we are also all daughters, sons, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives, husbands, and beloved friends, and it's a part of who we are and we bring that to our workplace; that our relationships outside our jobs permeate our interactions with others. Certainly, my co-workers fulfilled the roles of mentors and parents and friends and siblings to me. They are all down-to-earth and real - I couldn't have asked for a better place for my personal formation and development after college. I am definitely leaving my workplace a better person with a better perspective, which is a real gift.
Thank you, everyone, and I will miss you!
.JPG)
