Drawing the line

Sunday’s my last day of work. I don’t know whether I’m sad or happy. I guess I’m okay with the decision; it is time to get working on serious business. This was actually my first job and, frankly, the only one I’ve had so far. Actually it all started like a curiosity. I didn’t really need a job, cause mommy and daddy are doing a very good job at supplying my bank account. But one day I thought to myself “Here’s a crazy idea. How about getting a job?” So read the papers a bit, search the net for a couple of days, and there it came, just a couple of weeks later.It was a call center job. For anyone that doesn’t know what that is, it’s where you sit around and talk on the phone – I did surveys, flight bookings and many other things; all in a foreign language. I figured since I knew so many languages, might as well try putting them to good use. Now, the pay was never high – I always used to moan about that. But what I did find was a bunch of amazing people, with whom I became friends soon. Many of them have left; actually, now there are very few of the “old” ones left.It’s been almost two years – it would be two years this October. Tomorrow it will be the last day. I do feel a little sad, cause I am going to miss everybody there. Basically I did spend around half my day with them; and even if it might look like we didn’t have much time to chat, somehow there always was; and I found that some of them were a lot more fascinating than others, with some quite incredible stories. So it was actually quite fascinating from that point of view. That’s what I will miss.On the other hand, I’ve really had it with that kind of work. Actually, it’s not really the work itself, which is actually pretty interesting; it’s more the way that it’s done. I’m one that likes to have a lot of flexibility, lots of options – and although they all promise that in this line of work, it’s actually not exactly like that: you still have to be there at a certain time, and you can’t take a break when you feel like it. Besides, some of the clients are so stupid and annoying… you just have to hang up on them – they can’t be helped.Still, it is the end of an “era”; and the beginning of a new one. I’ve thought a lot about it, and it seems I’ve gotten used to being busy. So I didn’t really see myself just sitting around all day – even if I do have to study really hard this year, so technically I wouldn’t be sitting around. Besides, not asking mommy and daddy for money anymore felt really good – gives you a huge feeling of independence, even if they’re still the ones paying your rent. Just in the nick of time, another possibility popped up: to become a translator. Way better! Now I can stay at home and do the work, no more fuss about being there on time and all that crap – just have to be careful with those deadlines. Apparently, I’m pretty good at this too – that’s what my boss said; and it pays well enough, so what the heck. Guess that’s why I chose a liberal profession after all – you can do it on your own terms, not really depending on anybody.

Tomorrow it’s the last day then. Apparently I’m meant to be luckier in the material life – you probably saw by now that my love life is a kind of mess (really can’t remember if or when it was all tidied up and pretty); I’ve never had trouble getting what I want professionally, and when one door closes (or gets closed by me), another one seems to open just at the right time.

Now, is it really easier to manage the material aspects of life (or am I way too skilled), or is it that I need to work on my social skills (although I can befriend just about anyone, mind you)?

Drawing the line, it’s been mostly good. It seems like such a long time – two years. It’s been a positive experience – good and bad included. But it’s time to move on to more important things now. Soon enough, I’ll have to make something of my life. Well all have to, sooner or later…