End of an era

[kickaha]

I just loaded up the last of my office at UNC.

No, I'm not done, just leaving the premises.

The dept accepted a record bumper crop of young'ns, and they're really cramped for space. To be honest, they're not sure where they're going to put everyone legally. (The idea of stacking them was floated, which brought up that whole legality thing.) So, since I was expecting to be outta here in August *WITH* a sheepskin, I volunteered to give up my office. I'm only up here a few hours on Wednesdays anyway, since the commute is a bitch.

Still.

When I walk out the door tonight, it will be first time in almost eight years that an office in this building won't have my name on it.

It feels... weird.

I kinda always expected that the final move-out would be triumphant since it would be after my defense, but as it is I just feel... disconnected.

Comments

[arthane.livejournal.com]

*virtual hugs*

[kickaha.livejournal.com]

Meh, it'll pass, but thanks. :)

[kimokeane.livejournal.com]

When I went through that transition, it felt weird too. Well, moving to the opposite side of the globe and still having office space back home for 2 years was strange, but even after my defense, it was strange to leave the office. Tenured grad students have such a sense of ownership of their departments that it can't be easy to leave, no matter what the circumstances.
But this is good - it's starting the separation in stages, to get you used to it. Kind of like driving the cat around in her car carrier but not taking her to the vet... ;)

[kickaha.livejournal.com]

Heh. Yeah, I think it's just being in the final throes of the dissertation, and not having a 'home base' to anchor me that's making me feel weird.

That, and every other grad student I've ever known who ended up office-less also ended up not finishing. :\ Then again, I'm apparently the first student *EVER* in the dept who has take a leave of absence and then come back to successfully finish their degree. *shrug*

[kimokeane.livejournal.com]

One of the so-many ways that you're "special" ;)
Of course, technically, that second paragraph has yet to be shown...
And, so long as you're mindful of what's going on and don't let them turn into irrational fears, these little events can build to create momentum to Get You Out Of There!
When dealing with these little signposts of life, the theme of my last month or two has been: "Hmmmm, that's interesting, let me note this down... OK, now back to Making Progress!"

[jinasphinx.livejournal.com]

Same here, I moved stuff out after the defense, and it was weird then too.

Much sympathy on the 13 boxes though; and you (Kickaha) have been at your dept. longer than I was at mine.

[kickaha.livejournal.com]

Yeeeeeeah, that's kind of part of the problem. :} Been here *way* longer than I ever intended.

[badger.livejournal.com]

Funny timing: packed up my office this afternoon, too. :)

[kickaha.livejournal.com]

Hopefully yours didn't involve 13 moving boxes of books and periodicals. :}

Oh, and a refrigerator.

[badger.livejournal.com]

Feeling competitive? Ok, you win.

[kickaha.livejournal.com]

No, just a bit sore. :)

And really, imagine our place... now imagine where the heck I'm going to put a fridge. Hmm, maybe next to the couch... :D

[kimokeane.livejournal.com]

At least you had a car big enough for 13 boxes! I've decided that, before I move again, I have to implement my "2-car strategy"... and not with another coupe!