Retirement

This post is a little different for me...it's not about food. It's about something I hope is going to give me even more time to cook and write about food. :-) On December 31, after 33 years five months and five days, I'll retire from Miami University.

To clear things up, before anyone asks...it's Miami University, not Miami of Ohio or University of Miami. Some people say Miami of Ohio to let others know that we aren't that school in Florida...which, by the way is University of Miami, and as I and others often say, "It's Miami University, not Miami of Ohio....we were a school before Florida was even a state."

I started working in the Office of Admission in July of 1976 at the ripe old age of 19. At the time I felt quite grown up...after all, I was legally an adult and this was my first real job.... but in reality, I was practically an infant. I worked there about 11 years then moved on to the Office of the Registrar, where I worked in the records area, my next move was to University Advancement (Alumni), also working in the records area then in accounting, and have been in this division for approximately 20 years. When I started I was the age of the students and now that I'm fast approaching the age of their grandparents, I've decided it's time to move on.

Even though I requested no parties and no hubub regarding my retirement, (believe it or not, I don't like being the center of attention), the Division did give me a going away gift....a lovely Longaberger Basket, which was made for the 200th Annversary of Miami University, which is this year (thanks to the women I work with who saw me drooling over this basket back in June, during Alumni Weekend) and cake. My department (Advancement Services) gave me a going away breakfast...the women in my area (Gifts and Data Managment) gave me a monetary gift, to be put toward something fun....perhaps I'll put it toward the purchase of some new cookware.

I will be happy to reitre...it's defintely time,  actually it's past time. I've felt burnt out for several years now and have not been happy in my job. I won't miss the job, but will miss many of the people who I have worked with over the years.

So, on January 1, 2010, I begin my new life. Hopefully, I'll have another 33 years (as long as my health holds out) of retirement to look forward to.