Saying goodbye has never been something I’ve been very good at. In fact, until last month, I’d never quit or put in my two weeks notice for a job before. I’ll try my best not to be too sappy or corny with this post, but as you can tell from the title, this is my farewell to the library I’ve spent the last seven and a half years working for. This post will actually be published on the first Monday I won’t be an employee of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, and it’ll be weird. I have accepted a Reference Librarian position at the Shannon Staub Public Library in North Port, Florida and will be starting in late June.

There’s a great quote from The Office’s Andy Bernard, who says: “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them”. The last couple of weeks, this quote has become more and more true for me. Over these last few years, I’ve been lucky enough to make some of the greatest friends through both my jobs. They’ve inspired me and helped me grow in so many ways. Whether through encouraging me to finally make that step to apply for grad school, geeking out over every new Marvel movie, or reinvigorating my love for reading, I know they’ve always been there for me. They also put up with my terrible jokes, sarcastic quips, and my aversion to the sun. As the encroaching moving date approaches, I’m reminded repeatedly how important they’ve been for me. I will miss them so much.

I will also miss Eau Claire every day. This is the place where I grew up and have collected so many amazing memories. I’m going to miss the beautiful parks where I try to walk daily. I’m REALLY going to miss all the great local restaurants Eau Claire has to offer. I can only hope that my new home has pho and Hmong egg rolls as good as you can get here.

It’s not all sad though! I am very excited for this new chapter in my life. The culmination of my years of experience and education are finally sprouting into a career. Often times, when I describe my job to others, I get called a librarian, which isn’t true. Not anymore; I’m now a proud librarian. New location, new experiences, and new friends will await me in Florida and I can only hope they, too, will help me grow to be an even better person. Also, I’m sure when the complaints of the first negative-degree Wisconsin day arrive this winter on my social media, I’ll be happy being where I’m at.

I’m no Seneca, exiled from my homeland never to return. I can’t wait to come back to visit my family and friends for holidays, and I have to check out the renovated library building when it finally opens in the fall! I may be unrecognizable though, with a beautiful Florida tan (those who know me well know this is a lie). And heck, I like to think I’m still young, maybe someday I’ll find myself back here in this wonderful area.

I apologize, I said I’d try not to be corny or sappy, but I’m pretty sure this is exactly that. As the title of my blog says, it’s never easy saying goodbye. But alas, I must. Goodbye. Adios. Arrivederci. Au Revoir. Adeus. Auf Widersehen. Sayōnara. Do svidaniya. Annyeong. Slan. Tot ziens!