Change. Anyone who has ever lived the cubicle life has, at one time or another, had an "Office Space" moment, a daydream of taking the plunge to change pace or environment. My cube-mate and I used to talk about getting out to "save the world" or rather, save ourselves by escaping the daily grind, the machine, working for The Man. We'd discuss traveling, the nonprofit world, teaching and helping others. I enjoyed my big city media job very much but there it was itching, change.
So I took the leap from corporate office culture and landed in the woods of rural Maine. Beautiful? Yes. But it only took a few minutes to realize I'm not in Kansas any more-or New York City in my case. Here is a snapshot of then and now...
Transportation:
Then-Subways, buses and Metro Cards
Now-Golf carts, bikes and my own two feet
Workplace Comrades:
Then-Colleagues and cube-mates
Now-A golden lab and a puggle
Commute:
Then-30 minute subway ride
Now-2 minute walk up the hill from my cabin
Attire:
Then-Business casual + "Casual Friday"
Now-Board shorts, hoodies, flip-flops, sunnies and the like
Lunch Options:
Then-Myriad buffet style delis, create your own salad bars and Burger Heaven
Now-All dining hall, all the time
View From the Window:
Then-Concrete jungle, Fifth Avenue tourists
Now-Lake, sunsets and woods
Night Noises:
Then-Zooming cars and trains, voices of the stoop drinkers, guy taking a leak in the fallout shelter
Now-Loons, crickets
Modes of Communication:
Then-Cell phone conversations and text messaging
Now-Landlines and Walkie Talkies
The Pick-Me-Up:
Then-Starbucks caffeine run
Now-Smoko (Leisurely Australian-style coffee/tea break that occurs mid-morning. I find it odd to break after only the first hour of a day's work but this smoko thing is easy to embrace.)
Evening Activities:
Then-New York, anything and everything in "The city that never sleeps"
Now-Quiz night at the local, line dancing, bonfires, BBQs at the sister camp and shenanigans
Biggest Fear:
Then-Roaches and mice
Now-Camper parent phone calls
So I took the leap from corporate office culture and landed in the woods of rural Maine. Beautiful? Yes. But it only took a few minutes to realize I'm not in Kansas any more-or New York City in my case. Here is a snapshot of then and now...
Transportation:
Then-Subways, buses and Metro Cards
Now-Golf carts, bikes and my own two feet
Workplace Comrades:
Then-Colleagues and cube-mates
Now-A golden lab and a puggle
Commute:
Then-30 minute subway ride
Now-2 minute walk up the hill from my cabin
Attire:
Then-Business casual + "Casual Friday"
Now-Board shorts, hoodies, flip-flops, sunnies and the like
Lunch Options:
Then-Myriad buffet style delis, create your own salad bars and Burger Heaven
Now-All dining hall, all the time
View From the Window:
Then-Concrete jungle, Fifth Avenue tourists
Now-Lake, sunsets and woods
Night Noises:
Then-Zooming cars and trains, voices of the stoop drinkers, guy taking a leak in the fallout shelter
Now-Loons, crickets
Modes of Communication:
Then-Cell phone conversations and text messaging
Now-Landlines and Walkie Talkies
The Pick-Me-Up:
Then-Starbucks caffeine run
Now-Smoko (Leisurely Australian-style coffee/tea break that occurs mid-morning. I find it odd to break after only the first hour of a day's work but this smoko thing is easy to embrace.)
Evening Activities:
Then-New York, anything and everything in "The city that never sleeps"
Now-Quiz night at the local, line dancing, bonfires, BBQs at the sister camp and shenanigans
Biggest Fear:
Then-Roaches and mice
Now-Camper parent phone calls
Posts
1 comment:
Julie
the city misses you already. and i miss the country. sometimes i think i'm ready for that change as well.
happiness and virtue
ck
Post a Comment