Google Maps’ view of Express Press.
Just kidding, I didn’t really lose my job. But I do have to give it away…
When I found out I was accepted to the World Race, my best friend and coworker Lori made me go around and tell everyone at work the next day that I was leaving at the end of the year. That was difficult because everyone was so taken aback and not ready for me to leave. Now, two months later, I’m facing another dose of difficult reality: we are hiring my replacement and I will start training him next week to take over my position. I knew I would be leaving my job behind for the World Race, but it’s proving to more to swallow, and I have to swallow it faster, than I anticipated.
I have loved and cherished my job, my coworkers, and my bosses for 4.5 years now. I remember exactly where I was when my boss, Austin, called me after my interview to offer me the job – I started on April 4th, just as my undergrad work study was ending, and just in time to pay my way through graduate school.
About two weeks in to my new exciting adult job, I received a call for an interview with Bank of Missouri, and I thought about doing it because I might be able to get better promotions and raises there. I decided against it, however, and I have never regretted it for a second.
My first office at Express Press was a lot like that episode of The Office where they put Ryan’s desk in a closet, and I’m pretty sure my computer hailed from the late 90’s. But as time went on, our company grew, and I got to grow with it. I got to build my position from the ground up, and it will be hard for me to hand it over to someone else – it’s my proverbial baby.
But the difficulty in handing the reigns over to someone else is more than just my desire to feel important at work – Express Press is my home, my family. I invested my heart and soul into this place and these people, and I love them so very much. And it’s really hard to let go.
I’ll still be working there, but in a bit of a lesser role, so I don’t have to say goodbye just yet. But things are changing, and they are changing fast, and if I’m honest, I’m just not quite ready for it yet.
Here are some fun pics for you viewing pleasure:
Blazer Thursday. My brothers from another mothers!
Lori, Ginger, and I at Comic Con. Seriously, who else gets to go to Comic Con with their coworkers? I will miss these faces!
The whole gang on Matt’s birthday… *tear*
Decorated my office for Christmas, because I spend more time there during the holidays than at my house.
