Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Schedules: Before and After

Often times during busy season I marveled at how I got through the 6 months of darkness- literally and figuratively.

Here are visual reminders of the "busy" and "non busy" parts of my year and how busy I really was still regardless of what time of the year it was.

Busy season 2008 = lots of tears and heart ache.


Here are two screen captures of my "non-busy" Spring and Summer 09 schedules from April.
















And another from after I turned in my notice. Look how nice and pretty and clean =)

Things I'll Miss

Running list of things I'll miss about the A in random order.

1. Buckhead Church
2. easily accessible pools
3. mild winters
4. flying nonstop through ATL
5. cheap parking
6. 2 mile commute to the office
7. working on my bucket list, which will be incomplete when I leave
8. dinner parties in the 2 amazing houses I've lived in
9. a short 80 min plane ride to TPA
10. Robbi at Adore
11. Bagels from Belly General Store
12. $2 tacos and margs from Taqueria

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Nonstop Destination DCA

Since living in Atlanta, I've pretty much only had two choice of airlines: Delta and AirTran. With ATL as my originating and ending airport, I feel that I've been pretty lucky in terms of experiences with delays, etc. (This excluding Monday morning flights and Thursday evening flights that are padded extra hours). I guess I've been fortunate enough to have the flexibility in my schedule to fly around the crowds during holidays, God willing. So it was a disappointing realization this weekend while apartment hunting in DC that ATL is now going to be a layover for me. I did a quick search on a few of the travel search engines and have found that only US Air seems to offer nonstop service between TPA and DCA. Disappointing. While SkyMiles and FF programs aren't really worth anything these days, it is still nice to have nonstop service through the airlines that I've patronized over the last five years. Makes me realize how lucky one is when living in a hub city. I may soon become a patron of US Air. Or maybe I'll start flying in Dulles? (Nah.) In addition to Atlanta, I saw connections in Memphis, Detroit, and Charlotte. I think I've spent enough time in airports and would like to avoid layovers. US Air, you just got yourself a new customer.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Public Service Announcement

Staff/ Senior email. More serious and tame (and lame for that matter) email for public distribution closer to quitting date)

--------------------------------

Hi Friends:
This email is to inform you that I am leaving the firm in a few weeks if you haven’t heard already. Don’t let panic cloud your better judgment. I don’t’ want to hear of overturned couches or cars on fire. We are not in Columbus, Ohio.

Now that you have calmed down from the shock, some more, eloquent thoughts for you:

My deepest and sincerest thanks to each of you who have offered a listening ear, friendly smile, or whimsical emoticon through the long hours and seemingly never-ending test procedures. Your companionship and support has undoubtedly been treasured. Thank you for marking my time in Atlanta with your great friendships. I wish you all the best- where ever your journeys in this life take you and end.

July 1 will be my last day with the firm and that weekend also marks my departure from Atlanta, my adopted hometown of the past 5 years. I’ll be around if you’re looking for lots of boxes and packing material… and a drinking partner.

My next adventure takes me to Georgetown this fall, where I will be pursuing my MBA. If you should find yourself in the DC Metro area in the future, please don’t be a stranger! We can join the legions of others who have shared stories of battle and triumph in the haunts of DC.

Please stay in touch! I can be reached at ______ at gmail.com or XXX-XXX-4878. And if you’re so inclined to test it out, _____ at georgetown.edu.

Finally, for those of you who end up picking up any of my clients, please do not hesitate to contact me if you need to pick my brain, ask about prior year work or mostly importantly, bitch. I’ll do my best to remember what I can if I have not yet replaced that client information with “What is a Hoya?”

Go Gators and Hoya Saxa!
Sabrina

Sunday, June 14, 2009

GEORGETOWN

The University of Florida elicits some pretty strong reactions here in the A. It’s a very wide range from very enthusiastic support, obvious envy (HA) or downright hatred. I have to admit that it makes for really interesting public outings sometimes and other then around football season, I don’t write my UF shirts out too much because of it.

Ever had someone bark in your face while you’re walking down the street? Yea. Classy.

So now that the manager/ senior manager group knows about my departure and a few close friends. It has been interesting having conversations with people about my plans of attending Georgetown. Whenever they ask where I’m going and I tell them, I get some wide eyes and pregnant pauses. Generally words like "Wow", "Congratulations", or "That’s so exciting" follow.

Who knew?

I guess I just never realized the gravity of it and the aura the name invokes. It will take some getting used to. My overly analytical mind hopes that I won’t loose too much of who I am in this new chapter of my life as I try on this new association for size.

In the mean time, I think this is the part where I start to enjoy the fruits of my hard work for a little bit. After all, I am going to Georgetown. What a blessing it is!