COFFEE & BISCUITS

Today I went back to visit my former work place, and talked to basically everybody I knew when I worked there.  After 3 hours of non-stop catching up, I exited the glass castle with this mushy I’m-so-loved feeling.

It’s so nice to see that people are excited to see you and genuinely loved you.

People I caught up with today included:  M (book editor), H (web editor), T (former boss), M (former boss), D (my replacement generation I), D (my replacement generation II), M (my high school classmate who turned out to work at my former work place, R (manager of workplace), M (financial director).

The most pleasant surprise is that my desk was actually kept very much like when I was there!

The bamboo which I brought in with me (then merely 5 inchese) has grown into a 3 ft monster!

Of course there are changes.  One of my bosses’ spouse suddenly died, but he told me that he went on his first date in 40 year! 

M is leaving the institute, that’s sad for me but great for her.  Still it feels so warm and happy to be catching up the good times.  It was known that my picture with a coworker was on her wall all this time.  And she said we were her favorite bunch.

When I was first in 2nd floor chatting to H, my bosses came down to the 3rd floor from the 4th floor.  Boss M, upon hearing that I am in the building, yelled in his booming voice, “ANNA IS HERE???? WHERE IS SHE RIGHT NOW?”  I waved from below.   But I felt the sun shone on me at that moment.  This boss is an odd man.  He does not open to everybody, so when he behaved so warmly to me I am quite touched.  I still remember when I applied grad school what a rock he had been.

All the hugs.  Even I couldn’t help but give hugs at that moment.

In the end, Boss T introduced me to the 2nd generation of my replacement.  He said, “If you do well enough, you can come back.”

I said, “But I want to follow your footsteps!”

Although Boss T shyied away, I think he was all smiling inside.

Sweet sweet people who loved you! (this is of course because you no longer worked there.  When you are no longer there your legacy was beautified and you became immortal)