Friday 27 September 2013

Living with Geographers


Five years ago I walked into this building for the first time.

I opened the door of my new office,
heard laughter down the corridor
and knew that I would be happy.

Now is the right time for me to move on
but it is very hard to leave my friends:

the lovely ladies in the front office;
Jenny the cool cartographer;
two Heads of Department;
two Exams Officers and Deputy Don;
Dr Harriet next-door and busy, busy Dr B;
the Young Academic and the Scottish Academic;
the Lady Professor and the Enthusiastic Professor;
the Professor who observed the Falklands referendum;
the Cultural Professor and my Favourite Professor;
the Academic who knows about kites in Tibet;
the Academic who was 39 when I joined;
the Academic who flies gliders
and the Admissions Tutor.


So many inspirational colleagues
that I have been privileged to work with
and so many students filling my office
with their energy and enthusiasm.

I have an exciting new job to go to
but right now I just want to remember
what an amazing five years it has been:

Living with Geographers

I have been so very, very fortunate.

24 comments:

  1. It's been a pleasure working and sharing the department with you Alice, your words always bring a smile. Best wishes for your next adventure, they are lucky to have you with them and I bet there will be laughter there too x

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  2. It's exciting to move on, but it's also lovely to have such happy memories. Can't wait to hear what you're going to do now.

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    1. It is so hard to let go - as you will know. A busy department has a constant flow of people into the administrator's office. I miss them all.

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  3. Oh no! No more geographers? I look forward to your next chapter!

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    1. Don't panic - there are interesting times ahead.

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  4. Replies
    1. I feel as though part of me has been amputated.

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  5. Liz in Missouri USASeptember 27, 2013

    Oh, Gosh! you HAVE had a lot going on! New beginnings are always a bit exciting and scarey but whatever you are headed to next, I know they will be lucky and blessed to have you. Congratulations.

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    1. Thank you for such a thoughtful and caring comment. I am excited but it will be very different so I am trying not to think too much about it before I start.

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  6. good luck with your new job Alice, I am sure you will be fabulous at it x

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    1. Thank you - you are very kind. They are lovely people and I think it will be fun.

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  7. Congratulations on your new job. I'll miss the geographers too though, and I am sure they will miss you. cath

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    1. I will miss the Geographers more than I can say - they are an amazing and inspirational group of people.

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  8. What lovely memories and congratulations on you new job Alice; an exciting move and a sad goodbye. It's been lovely sharing the Geographers with you and I hope you have as great a time in your new job. Looking forward to hearing about it.

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    1. Thank you for this lovely comment! I think that you will enjoy sharing the next job and I have permission to blog about it which is very exciting.

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  9. Oh.
    i, too, feel strangely bereft.

    and now, i am being totally selfish:
    This new job better not interfere with your blogging!

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    1. I think that you will enjoy sharing the next job so the good news is that I have permission to blog about it!

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    2. What a relief. i hate worrying and it was a long weekend with little chance to ckme find your reassuring comment.

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  10. Sad you're leaving this wonderful environment but I know there will be new intriguing things to be learnt (it's learnt, right?)

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    Replies
    1. Paola, I may need your help with my next job...

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  11. Do they know about the cake, yet? What a lovely surprise your new colleagues will have. Enjoy the new job!

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    Replies
    1. Ha! Well I didn't mention it at interview but who knows what my referees said.

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  12. Hopefully they can all read maps...

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Thank you! I love reading your comments and even though I don't always have time to reply I am really grateful to every one who joins in the conversation.