Departures and Beginnings

I had lunch yesterday with a friend in HR, who mistakenly mentioned that my boss was leaving. She thought it must have been announced already she heard about it three months ago. She was wrong; I no idea. Today would be the last time I saw him. He's the first manager I've truly respected in a long time. It was not voluntary (although he positioned it that way, but I know the back story). So, thankfully, he called me into his office a little while ago to let me know. We had a long and very good chat. He's off to better pastures. This news really sucks because I know - even if they think I don't know - who his replacement will be; and, although I don't know her well enough to judge her management capabilities, the short interaction I've had with her doesn't really give me a whole lot of comfort. Who I work with (and for) is really important to me. Really important.

We've been going through so many changes at my company, that things like this are why I decided to finally pursue becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist 14 months ago. So that just in case things don't work out here, I don't feel as though I'll be spending months and months tirelessly searching for work that can pay my bills and keep me happy if I were to be "phased out" due to yet another acquisition. My massage therapy license is something I own, that I can maintain and use to practice anywhere.

I've (finally) decided to purchase my first home for a similar reason. Well, the main reason is that I'm tired of paying a fortune in rent every month for a 750 square foot 1 bedroom apartment. But also, I want to have a place to call my own (that I can afford) if I ever lose my job. I'm buying a very inexpensive home with good bones in great condition that may need updating. I'm fine with that. I want my monthly mortgage payments to be about half of what I'm paying now in rent. Luckily, it's possible where I live right now, so the timing is great.

Another big event is that I'm turning 40 on January 2. I feel like I need something concrete (no pun intended) to show for those 40 years :). 

The positives:

• I'm finally getting back in shape after putting on a very depressing 80 pounds.
• I'm getting back into belly dancing.
• I've earned my LMBT license.
• I'm buying a house.

Things are definitely heading in the right direction.