Coffee with D

Now that there is a deadline, I have been scheduling breakfasts, lunches, coffees/teas, dinners/ drinks to spend time with the people I love and probe them (in the most non-intrusive, friendly way) for information. It would be easier to have one big party - my friend J is having a "J Got Laid (Off)" party - but I've changed (no more 300+ balls) and really cherish one on one time.

D was great. He walked me through the job, culture, landscape of this opportunity I was thinking of. We chatted about Stern and what was going on with him. And because he is just so lovely and honest, he talked about how his partner would drop his glamorous accounting job in a heartbeat to be his housewife. And honestly, I would love a short respite consisting of chillaxing by the pool at the complex and cooking fabulous meals for M. I've been meaning to get better at cooking fish.

Progress Report

Yup, I was up since 5. My brain pops up and is like, "did you do this? did you do that? did you talk to this person, what is that person up to? what do you think of this or that?" On and on it spins. I think this is just going to be my thing.

I went to a conference about Crises Management for Hedge Funds at a law firm and I just loved it. I love the law. It got me rethinking about a JD and I'm looking into getting one part time at Georgetown during my unemployment. I miss the classroom. Yes, I am a nerd.

There are 2 jobs at PWC that sound really great. I am hitting up a cousin who works at PWC and my friend E for some insight and information.

My firm also has a few groups in DC as well. My friends have gotten me informational interviews with 2 of the groups. There's one more group and I'm meeting another friend for coffee to learn more about it. I look to be top of mind as positions open up. I also signed up for the 1 year of career services that I get through the firm and registered for a bunch of workshops. I also got a career coach. They matched me up with an Asian woman - I totally picked that up over the phone even though she didn't have an accent or anything. My first impression is that she is soft spoken.

So, just reaching out to people, letting friends and my network know what is going on with me, helping those around me, and being thankful for all the incredible people in my life and the blessings I have.

Going Through It

I consider myself to be quite level headed and positive. I also never really believed in the 8 Stages of Grief (which I found out to really be 5 Stages of Grief). I thought it was bull but the emotions just swell and roil. On a side note, the word "Grief" looks weirder and weirder the more I look at it.

Anyways, I was sad but fine the day I found out about the notification. I was fully aware of what happened and started to take steps so I guess I skipped the denial stage. The anger hit me on Friday. Mostly because they had told us we could take the day on Wednesday because it was emotional. I had stayed the day to work because I had some meetings I wanted to be prepared for. I asked for a half day on Wednesday and got a lot of grief about that. Seriously? You are seriously going to go there? That and my boss was in my grill for a number of ridiculous things. Be sure you do this, be sure you do that. Hello, I was at work when a lot of people who were let go had taken the rest of the week off. And I do good work. You don't have to remind me about having documents prepared for meetings because I ALWAYS DO.

And, thanks to my friends who have been so great about giving me advice, I went through a different sort of bargaining phase where I asked for some things. They were denied but at least I asked. The depression set in towards Friday evening and I had a nice long talk with M who reminded me of a number of things that have worked out. So, I'm finally at acceptance and will be moving to DC in mid-April.