So, yesterday was my last day at "Hot Stuff".

I actually had my exit interview on Thursday afternoon. That was an interesting experience. Considering that I'd never done an exit interview before, I think it went well - I think I managed to give an accurate picture of why I decided to leave and what I thought some of the problems in the company were without seeming bitter or overly negative about my overall experience.

It's sort of like a breakup, in a way. "I just feel like I should see other companies. I hope we can still be friends."

Friday was mostly spent cleaning things up and sending out about a kajillion e-mails letting people know the status of my various projects, where they can find files, etc, etc. One of my coworkers brought me a gorgeous orchid as a going away present. I had lunch with a couple of other coworkers.

And there were goodbyes. I don't like goodbyes. I never quite know what to say, particularly to folks that I feel quite friendly towards (and have a great deal of professional respect for), but whom I'm not likely to see again unless our paths cross again professionally. "It's been great working with you. Have a nice life." is accurate enough in sentiment, but I think sounds just a little too flip to be taken in the way I would intend it. At the same time, "See you around" or "Let's keep in touch" sound bizarre and hollow when addressed to someone whose entire interaction with oneself has been entirely devoted to solving the job task of the moment.

Yeah, I know, I overthink these things. I more or less muddled through.

And I didn't cry until I was loading the last of my stuff into the car at the end of the day, so at least no one but me had to be embarrassed by it. (Yeah, I cried. I'm a horrible sentimentalist. When I left grad school, I bawled like a baby, and I've never been so ready to leave a place in my entire life.)

I start my new job on Monday. I'm really excited. Leaving a job may not be fun, but starting a new one is fun for sure.