Bittersweet Departure

Yesterday was my last day as a temp with ODOT and I have to admit, I will miss it more than I had ever expected. When I first started this job I was only financially interested but as the weeks passed I found myself caring more and more about my coworkers and the customers I helped. I started looking at procedures to see if there was a way I could streamline them or make them easier for future temps to understand. And on my last day I did what I could to finish up any projects I had started. All in all I consider myself a part of the ODOT Procurement Office team now and I would love, more than anything, to come back to work when I get back from my trip in November.

I have to talk about my last day though, because I never felt so appreciated as I did at any job I've ever had before. I went to work that day with the goal of finishing up my projects, cleaning my desk and eating the salad I brought. I was making progress until my coworker, Lynn, came into the front office and invited Katie (the other temp in the front office, and my dear friend) and I out to lunch at Olive Garden (later decided). Needless to say, it was delicious! And of course, I ate way too much. But isn't that the point of the unlimited soup, salad and breadstick lunch??

When we got back it was quiet for about an hour, we were just cleaning, joking around and reminiscing a bit. That is, until we got an email from Mary about cake in the break room. Below is the picture of the cakes they got for us, professional cakes! Also pictured is the little gift bag and card we each got. Not pictured are the other cards they got for us with a $15 gift certificate to Regal Cinemas!

I wasn't expecting this at all. Even though the office was half empty and we were only temps, it was overwhelming to see just how much they appreciated all the work we had done in our short time with ODOT. 

So there you have it. My last day was amazing. I got my all projects done, I had a super delicious lunch and then finished it off with some cake. 

Even though I am thrilled to begin my adventure with SEA Semester I am sad to leave my family and the summer job which turned into so much more. 

I will do all that I can to come back to work in November and hopefully there's work and a place for me at the ODOT Procurement Office.

And the first tears have been shed.

With my upcoming departure it was only a matter of time before the flow of tears started. However, they were good tears and it was really nice to lay in bed as a family and just cry for a bit. I don't know how I am going to handle these next few months alone but that thought will comfort me during those lonely nights when I just can't sleep. 

I will admit that I am very excited to be going on this trip and I feel privileged to be a part of this amazing program. Seeing as how I haven't been on in a few months I'll fill you in. 

From September to November I will be participating in SEA Semester. Basically I spend six weeks in Massachusetts and then I spend six weeks sailing from there to the Virgin Islands while performing research I developed while in land. I plan on researching the effects of plastic ingestion by fishes and seeing if it has any adverse effects or if they in fact ingest plastic at all! So as sad as I'm going to be at night I will be plenty busy during the day.

I plan on keeping this blog up to date with what I'm doing and I guess I'm starting today. So more tomorrow!