A new beginning...

My first check mark off my list! I know it's not my birthday yet, but I've accomplished one of my goals and it's a HUGE one! I have just had THE best week of my career. This week provided the renewed passion in my career that I needed.

First, all the sweat and tears that I put into my work was validated with my year end review.

~ AND ~

I have been in the same department for 8.5 years and I have just been given the opportunity to start a new journey.

I went on an interview on Thursday and I did the best I could to promote myself. They told me it would be about two weeks before they reached a decision, so I thought I wouldn't hear from them anytime soon. However, the very next day, I received a phone call offering me the position!!!

The new position is with the same company and I will still be in the same profession, but it's more responsibility. I will be learning a new product, be in a new building, work with new people -- definitely, a new and refreshing challenge.

I am very excited. This is an awesome start to my list!!!!

But I am also NERVOUS and sad.

The department I am leaving was my first ever real job. I started when I was 21 years old. The people I work with have been there with me to experience my highest highs and my lowest lows of my messy but fun twenties.

They are not just my co-workers --- they are my extended family and some of them I even consider immediate family. :)

I will miss each and every single one of them: Thank you for your role in shaping me into the person I am today.