Finally Time For Some Fun Southern Europe Travel!
Trip Start
Apr 21, 2007
1
71
81
Trip End
Sep 27, 2008
London,
England,
United Kingdom
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Since my last blog things have been fairly stressful to me. This past week especially as I have been feeling very panicked from all of the packing, good-byes, last-minute to-do's (which I am still not finished!!) and trying to make sure I'm not forgetting anything! I never felt this way at all before leaving Canada a year and a half ago!
So my first round of good-byes was with my collegues at LGC. I have been working in the Urine Drug Testing Laboratory area for the past eight months and as much as I won't miss the urine samples at all I will miss the individuals I worked with. Most days were fairly steady with other days trying to look busy with other days looking at the clock and can't believe the day is done. One thing I will remember is that no matter how busy you are do not let it overtake you. Tea times and lunch breaks are still very important especially during days of 3000 samples plus laughter is the 'best medicine'. There were always jokes and stories going around and that's why accessioning was always the most fun area to be.
The accessioning area was where I was on my last day this past Thursday. I left at half twelve and with five minutes left and still accessioning I was blabbing about something and then complete silence fell over and all you could hear were feet shuffling along the floors. Complete panic set in as I wasn't ready for the time to come and as tough as I am to keep my emotions in tears immediately started falling down my cheeks. Trust me....as much as I won't miss the stinky samples I will miss the lab. It was always such a relaxed atmosphere and when times were crazy like this past week everyone gives a helping hand no matter how busy they are. A rule of thumb I have always gone by. No need to panic as that will only set you back. Take a moment to sit back, take a deep breath and keep on truckin'! That's what makes it easier for me to say my good-byes.
So a very nice speech was given and of course more tears kept flowing. I got a nice good-bye card that was quite amusing. It read: Sorry you're leaving. We will definately miss you............'cos now we'll have to do all your work as well! Good luck! Plus everyone wrote a bit, signed it off and placed Euros inside! With my travel plans in place everyone chipped in and I cannot say thank you enough. I will put the money towards momentums of my travels and let you know exactly what I buy myself. Plus a collegue surprised me with a very special fridge magnet momentum with a photo of Shash and I from the bowling get together last weekend. A gift I will alwyas cherish. Thanks Mel!
After that tearful good-bye session last night I met up with the usual clan of friends at the Maple Leaf pub for the last beer and wings. We had a few wings as starters and then on to mains and then on to the massive sundae! I can't believe we did a three course meal! I think we were most shocked with the bill as it's usually five pounds on a Monday wing night and last night it totalled to twenty pounds per person! That's usually the total bill! But the fact that the surly waitress (as she was referred to because she never smiles) actually smiled last night was enough. Plus all of the good jokes and tearful laughter as usual.
It was another hard good-bye but didn't seem as bad because Kim, Stu, Greg and I all said 'I will see you later'. I may be back here in London in a year and having travelling friends you never know if you will cross the same path again during travels as there is talk of Stu going to Canada and possibly Australia this Christmas time as well as Kim may go home for a visit while I'm over there and Greg....well, who knows about Greg. Haha! Just kidding Greg! You are just as special!
So today my travels begin. I am off to Venice, Italy at 7:00pm tonight. I still have to pack and get absolutely everything sorted! I will be taking heaps of photos and will wait to say the most hard good-bye until after my travels in two weeks. So check back in a couple weeks as when I am back in Canada on Sept 27 I will be uploading all of my photos and editting my blogs! Take care for now and stay tuned..........
