Last day

Yesterday was my last day at the office. It was the last time I was gonna walk the aisles, ride the elevators, and tap into the doors at One e-Com Center as a Maersk employee, as a MISE graduate, as an employee with a 2.5 year tenure. The next time, I’ll be walking through the doors as a visitor.

Somehow though it didn’t feel like my last day. Maybe the feeling of having to leave my “2nd home” for the past 2.5 years was overtaken by my excitement for the Christmas holidays. Or maybe I didn’t feel like I was leaving at all– since what, or rather, who was there to leave anyway? Most of my closest friends from the company have resigned and moved on before I did. Maybe the feeling of being back in the Manila office hasn’t really sunken in, after my 9 month stay in Davao. Or on a positive note, I didn’t feel like bidding a tearful goodbye since I know I’ll just be in touch anyway, and my real friends will always be my friends regardless of where we all work. 

In all fairness I gained new friends in MCC when I came back. It’s a good thing they were the people who were my age, with the same wavelength, and who shared the same interests as I did. If at all I felt a slight tinge of sadness that I won’t be around next year for the MOA lunches, group chats, and random laughs around our tables. I don’t wanna think anymore about what I’ll be missing though! But with the flurry of goodbyes and “keep in touch” last words that I’ve witnessed and said this year, the feeling doesn’t have the same effect on me anymore. Taking it positively, I’m a person to always keep in touch if we’re really friends. On a negative note, have I become numb to it?

I hope not. Maybe I just need 2009 to sink in– once the new year, new job, and new life sinks in, then I’ll feel that this is goodbye. Well not really since we’re all in the Philippines anyway, and at least on the same island (Luzon)! And hey, it’s not like I’m leaving for something bad– the reason why I left is that there’s something better.

Last night a lot of us ex (yes I’m one of them now!) and current Maersk people got together since Vince (a former colleague who’s now working in Singapore) is in town. There were actually more ex-Maersk people now! I’m glad I dropped by since I got to see them again and catch up– especially now that I’m part of the “resigned” club! It wasn’t my goodbye dinner/ drinking/ videoke yet, which I hope to celebrate either after Christmas or next year. It was another good times moment, and just goes to show that there are no excuses for NOT keeping in touch, even if you’re no longer with the company!!!

And so I therefore conclude that goodbyes to me are pointless. I won’t need to say goodbye to you if I know we’ll be in touch anyway :)– And I just hate that I said too many of them (both cheerful and tearful) this year. Ah, well. This post has been too gloomy, it’s Christmas! I should be in the festive mood!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!