As one chapter ends...

...another is about to begin.

I finished my last day at both my jobs this week and start my new job on Monday. I am nervous. And excited. I loved both my jobs and had there been the opportunity to work full time in either one of them, I probably would have taken it. More importantly, I really liked the people I worked with. And I think that's one of the most important things at the workplace. You can have the shittiest day possible but having good, supportive and friendly colleagues makes it all worthwhile. On the other hand, you could love the work you do but having bitchy and backstabbing colleagues will take away all that pleasure.

With the new chapter in terms of my work like, I think I'm more nervous about the people I am going to be working with. I don't know any of them yet. All I know is that there is one other psychologist on the team. My colleagues from the jobs I quit don't think I should have any problems because I am apparently easy-going. That's good to know. Let's hope it comes in handy at the new work place. My main worry though is my social anxiety. I have overcome it big time but I am still very anxious when I meet new people and tend not to say much...to the point where I can be perceived as being arrogant. I guess time will tell.

Finishing my two jobs has been quite sad and surreal. But there's another chapter that seems to have closed, not related to work. I don't know if I mentioned this before, but both those jobs were in the same suburb. A suburb around which I lived since I moved to Australia. No, I didn't live in that particular suburb but the shopping centre there was my local one. I came to Sydney 5 years ago and barring the first week when I was searching for accommodation, I lived around this area. And it became home to me. Despite it's not-so-great reputation amongst other Sydneysiders. I know most of the streets. I know the shopping centre. I lived in one suburb throughout uni and then moved to another one 10 minutes away, still in the same local government area. I was even fortunate to get a job at the school within this area. And some months down the track, the other job as well 2 minutes from the school. It was only in August last year that I moved out of the area into another suburb in totally different LGA (which I love!) But since I still continued working in what was 'home', it did not seem like I had made a big move.

But now, I will no longer be working around that area. And I am not going to be living there either. And that's going to be strange. It's a chapter of my life that has finished. The first few weeks will probably be weird...not travelling down those familiar streets, seeing those familiar sights and viewing some things that are so typical of that area. 5 years is a long time. You get used to things and you begin to like familiarity.

However, it doesn't mean I cannot adjust. If I think back on my life, the funny thing is I've done many things in 5 year chunks. I went to primary school in Oman from Year 1 to 5. I then did Year 6 to 10 in another school in Bombay. I then went on to Year 11 and 12 and continued my B.A. in the same college --- another 5 years. And now, 5 years studying and working around the same local government area in Sydney. And each time I've had to move, I've had different emotions. I did not like moving to Bombay from Oman but I adjusted in the first year. I was shit scared when I applied for entry into Year 11 because I thought I would not 'fit in'...but I did by the end of the year and loved the rest of my time there. I was excited and nervous about coming to Australia but I settled within three months of living here.

So yes, I'm sad at the end of this chapter in my life...living and working around an area that was home to me. But I'm hopeful, based on past experiences, that I will adjust to the new chapter even though I am nervous and excited.

And as one of my friends told me today --- it's not like the suburb is going anywhere --- you can always go there for your grocery shopping if you want to make the effort to drive out there! [Wise words indeed!!] :P

Oh...and since the last couple of months has been so hectic with me trying to finish off my paper work and bringing work home, here's a picture of what my desk at home looked like until yesterday:

And since I had the day off today, I spent time cleaning my entire room in preparation for my new chapter in life...

Can you believe I didn't have space for my laptop on my desk?? I had so many bills and payslips and papers just lying there (very unlike me!) and I filed everything away and shredded others today and can actually see the top of my desk! All that's left now is to organise some of my papers (resources that I've collected over the last couple of years). You know what I'm going to be up to this weekend! :)

Anyway, hope you all have a great weekend.

And remember, as one chapter ends, another begins.

Unless of course, you are dead. :P

Until next time,

Cheers!!!