My day job takes the top honor this week. My office pulled off the "gotcha" of the century when they hosted a surprise retirement party for me. You can tell there was a lot of preparation put into this as there were so many people involved including other offices to keep me occupied or out of the building while planning was going on. My office planned a flashmob yes a flashmob to the song Happy because I always jump up and start singing and dancing to this song to make everyone laugh. I was invited to a meeting where the participants all sat in such a way that I had to keep my back to the glass door and not see what was going on. I must admit the meeting was about a project I was working on so I thought it was real. Then someone came in about 1/2 way through and I truly did think, but did not say it out loud: "Who the hell is this person and why is she so late?" They provided a decent answer to the unasked questions - see they know me so well! Ten minutes later, my boss ran into the meeting with a person carrying a boom box and a photographer, the woman I did not know jumped up and led the participants in the dance. Everyone was dancing! I must admit tears popped immediately into my eyes when I realized what was happening. That started a basic conga line and as I danced along there were people lined up all throughout the office. I saw people that I currently work with and a few from past offices as well as my BFF and the retired ladies lunch bunch (I will be a member next week). Everyone was holding smiley face fans and then I realized that on the other side was my ID picture from 1983 (about a year after I started).
I found out on those days I left a little early, my colleagues were collaborating on crafts (fans as well as visors with smiley faces on them) and practicing the choreography that this lovely woman (zumba instructor) had put together. We danced and walked around for 20 minutes while they put together the last of the major surprises, which was some people from far away places came in over video to also be part of the flashmob. They also held my picture and smiley faces. Two the people I had actually hired over 10 years ago so it was so good to see them and one knew me from a prior project. I can't believe so many people were involved and I did not know it was happening. They LOVED getting this accomplished in secret.
My boss loves to event plan and cater so she was in her element. Her sister whom I also know came all the way in to deliver some of the food and help with set up. You should have seen the over 250 mini cupcakes with mini marshmallows on the top with hand drawn smiley faces. When I looked at the layout I realized that the yellow icing cupcakes spelled out my name. The staff told me after how this was organized almost down to the minute so I would not know. I almost blew it myself when I walked back into office to grab a pen for a meeting and everyone was standing up and froze. I was so intent on the meeting that I did not even register at that moment that they were all looking at me and holding their breath. The photographer remarked that we had set the bar for retirement parties as he had never seen one with so much fun! Believe me the song Happy has so many meanings for me.
I spent Friday night and Saturday at a Jazzercise Taping in Washington, DC. I have never seen so many people gathered in one place wearing spandex in my life (including myself). There were close to 2000 people - mostly women and the energy was unreal. I worked out between both days for close to six hours. I was definitely tired by the end of the day yesterday. I am a little stiff today, but slowly stretching everything out. The funny part of this was I went with my friend D who arranged the hotel. We got there, checked in and went to the room - only one king size bed. She was devastated and called the desk, but of course nothing available so I said no big deal, big bed, we'll be fine. I told her the rumors would fly that we were sleeping together and we just laughed. All-in-all we had a great time - exhausting but fun. I realize again that since the weight loss I have a lot more energy and stamina than I ever did in the past. Have you ever been to one of these events.
The low part of my emotional week concerns my mom. Her health is not improving and she is not gaining her strength back. It's hard on my dad as well as he wants to take care of her at home and currently she is still in the hospital. It's hard on my sister as she works and has kids that also need her attention and now our dad wants her attention as well. I'll be visiting soon so I am hoping to see where I can help.
I did not finish any books this past week - still reading three so hopefully I will finish one soon so I can let you know about it. Any recommendations?
I have a 15 year old visiting for a week so we have lots of interesting events planned. I'll write you about the experiences in a future posting.
I am going to end it here as I have been putting this together for hours and I feel like I'm not engaging enough for you today. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
"Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning." - Maya Angelou
"Life is without meaning. You bring the meaning to it. The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be. Being alive is the meaning." - Joseph Campbell
Trust yourself, then you will know how to live." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"Trust in what you love, continue to do it, and it will take you where you need to go." - Natalie Goldberg
Referrals are always appreciated.