Friday 29 May, the last full day in Northern Ireland.
7 a.m. Leave hotel, begin commute. Try not to think about the fact that it's the last full day in Northern Ireland: the last time I'll be here, or that I'll see this, or that I'll drive on this road.
7:20 a.m. Cry all my makeup off by the time I've reached Sandyknowes Roundabout. Resign myself to the fact that I probably will cry all the way to work, but resolve not to cry at work.
7:45 a.m. Arrive to find cards on my desk. Read the first one and decide to read the others after I have left work, remembering my resolution.
8 a.m. ongoing. Receive a stream of visitors who bring well wishes and cards.
11 a.m. Go to a "meeting" that turns out to be a gathering of co-workers with gifts to present. Feel very humbled and grateful. Make it through my remarks without crying. A miracle.
Noon. Realise the original plan of leaving at noon is extremely unlikely, as there is still the office to pack. Wonder how one person can have so many files and markers.
2:20 p.m. Race out of the office, taking pictures all along the way. The sun is out for the drive back to Belfast. Try to remember every part of it.
3 p.m. Arrive at flat for key handover. In Norn Iron fashion, the agents are late. This provides time for the last few moments in the place by myself. Assure myself this is the hardest part. It is.
4 p.m. Go to the bank for last minute deposits, withdrawals, signatures, arrangements, and hails of "all the best."
4:30 p.m. Drop off the car at the dealership and handover my remaining keys. Now my keyring is an empty circle.
5 p.m. Arrive back at hotel, read cards from work, feel deeply moved and humbled. People here are so unbelievably kind and nice.
5:15 p.m. Get a text from BG: time for a drink? Yes. We enjoy the sunny Friday afternoon. I'm supposed to be doing the final pack at this time, but how could I resist a drink with a friend on my last sunny afternoon? I cannot.
7:30 p.m. Farewell do begins with dinner for about 20. One friend gives me some framed photos that provide a deeply ironic look at sectarianism. When I hang them in my new home, no one will "get" them except me, but I will put them in a place of honor. Enjoy the company of so many co-workers. Stave off any alcohol consumption for as long as possible.
10 p.m. Move to the pub. Agree to traditional drinks: Guinness and Bushmills. Not necessarily in that order. Put the camera away for the good of the assembly. People should thank me.
12:30 a.m. Welcome the next instalment of revelers: a group of high-level managers who were at another event and have decided to join us. Find myself in that favourite stance of all pubgoers: arms around each other, singing at the top of our lungs. "Leaving on a Jet Plane" comes on. Everyone points to me and sings. I solo on the line, "Oh babe, I hate to go." Then "Hey Jude" comes on. Wonder how people rose to such ranks in our company without knowing all the words to "Hey Jude." Consider we re-evaluate the selection process.
1:15 a.m. Cry off the pleas to go to another place for just one more. Contemplate the imminent plane ride. And the packing.
1:30 a.m. Move items among my four (!!!) suitcases. Wonder how one person can have so many T-shirts. And socks. And electrical cords. And how I'm going to carry all this tomorrow.
3 a.m. Wide awake. Wish I could do this day all over again.
All the best for the future.
Posted by: Nelly | 31 May 2009 at 11:52
> Now my keyring is an empty circle.
Not often in life anyone experiences that! Slightly disturbing thought. No where to call your own at that moment. And yet millions in the world experience it every day.
Posted by: Alan in Belfast | 01 June 2009 at 15:29
De-cloaking from lurk mode to tell you that as a California girl in love with a Belfast boy I loved reading your Norn Iron adventures because I could so relate!!!
Good luck on your new adventures but Belfast will forever be under your skin, I know it's under mine.
Posted by: Penelope_CA | 09 June 2009 at 01:38
Well?.......WE'RE WAITING!!!!!
Posted by: mazr | 14 June 2009 at 08:29