As they headed out of the plane Keith headed toward the EU passport line and Cailin toward the “Other” passport line. Her line was longer and busier. Cailin was anxious to get through the line, but knew that she had to be patient. Keith told her he would look for Darren in the luggage pick up area, and let him know that she would be along after processing. Finally she was passed through the immigration officer, had her passport stamped and headed toward the luggage pickup area.
As she approached the carousel for her flight, she spotted Darren chatting with Keith and sneaked up behind him.
“Sure glad to see you waited for me!” Cailin said as she wrapped her arms around Darren from behind.
“Seems like it took you forever. Were you giving those immigration officers problems?” Darren turned and gave Cailin a big hug and kiss on her cheek as he flashed the smile that she just couldn't resist.
“So you two, what's the plan?” Keith was patiently waiting as Darren and Cailin reconnected. Darren had filled in much of what Cailin didn't tell while they were waiting for her arrival.
“Time to head to the parking lot. We have a little bit of a ride ahead of us. Luckily I got a bigger care to make sure I could carry Cailin's luggage, so we can handle Keith and his guitar too!” Darren teased Keith.
Once they had everything loaded into the car they headed out on the motorway toward Derry. Cailin wanted to let Keith sit up front with Darren because of his long legs, but Keith insisted he would be fine in the back seat with the luggage that would not fit into the trunk of the car.
The trip from Dublin to Derry would take a good three hours and as they headed out on the motorway Keith was the first to suggest that they detour off the road after Armagh and stop in a small town to see another friend and have lunch at a carvery there. That would take them just short of 2 hours and be a perfect time to stop. Darren agreed to the plan and mentioned to Cailin that Keith was a voracious eater and this place would be perfect for him!
So who was this friend that Keith wanted to see. From the conversation Darren knew of this person too. Keith was on his cell making the call and from what Cailin could get from his side of the conversation, they would all meet up at the carvery in The Moy. Cailin asked about this town and Keith filled her in about how this little village was just barely a spot in the road where their friend Ryan, another musician, lived. Darren knew of Ryan but had never really worked with him, and was looking forward to the possibility of having Ryan perform at a future musical fund raising event. Darren also knew that if Keith was friends with this person he would definitely be a quality musician.
Cailin was busy staring out the window while Keith and Darren chatted away. She realized how happy she was to be back in Ireland. Her concentration on the scenery was suddenly jarred with a poke in her arm.
“What's got you so quiet my dark haired lassie?” Darren had noticed how quiet she had been.
“Just enjoying the Irish landscape all over again. I didn't know just how much I missed it these last few weeks while I was back in New York. And this is the same road I took when I got lost that first night in the rain. We just passed Mullaghmore where I ended up stuck in the mud and my whole life changed from that point on!”
“Ahhh, another American falling in love with our country,” Keith chimed in from the back seat. “And here we Irish are just loving America. Yeooowww!”
Other than the time Cailin was traveling back to Dublin when she flew home, this was the fist time she really took the time to enjoy this road and the lush green countryside. It wasn't long before they pulled off the motorway and onto a local two lane road to The Moy. Keith gave directions to Darren and they pulled into a frontage road in this small village. There was a handsome dark haired lad sitting on the short wall in front of the restaurant. Cailin assumed this was who Darren and Keith had been talking about. As they pulled past the front of the restaurant Keith pulled down his window and leaned half his body out shouting hello to Ryan and received a welcome wave and a big smile back.
Lunch was fun listening to the 3 lads chatting about music and ideas for supporting some of the work that Darren does for the hospital. Cailin realized that here she was with three very handsome and talented Irish lads. What more could a girl hope for. Keith and Ryan knew each other for a couple of years and had worked together with a group that toured the US. This was the first time that Cailin had heard about them. There were others in the group and Darren told her she was sure to meet at least one other who lived in Derry like Keith. As Cailin listened to the discussion she wondered if hanging around Darren and his music interests she would become a groupie? This was a strange thought as other than listening to Irish trad music on her iPod, she had never really been around bands until she met Darren. She smiled to herself as she thought about all the twists and turns her life was taking. It did make her happy.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Travels in Eire #43
The days and hours had passed so quickly. Caitlin moved back to her parents and while it felt comforting to be there, she was very happy this would not be for any length of time. Boxes had been shipped and suitcases were packed several times to stay within the weight limitations for her flight. With all arrangements made, Caitlin was ready to say her good-byes and head out on this new adventure.
Her two best traveling items, her iPod and a good book, were at the ready for the 6 hour flight to Dublin. The best part of this was knowing that when she arrived Darren would be meeting her. It had been a long 3 weeks since they had seen each other. Even though they talked almost every day on the phone with the 5 hour time difference it was sometimes difficult. Darren had been doing his best between work times to make sure everything was ready for Cailin when she arrived and moved into her flat in Derry.
The plane was not too crowded but Cailin did have a young man sitting next to her. He was tall and well built and looked like a California surfer from pictures she had seen in magazines. He had long blond shaggy hair and blue eyes. Once he said hello, it was obvious he was not from California, but from Ireland.
He introduced himself as Keith, with a smile that showed off his dimples. He was carrying a guitar and placed it in the bin overhead next to Cailin's carry-on.
Cailin, not wanting to seem rude, introduced herself, “Hi, Keith, my name is Cailin.”
“For such an Irish name, you must be from America, right?” he asked.
“I'm from New York City. I'm moving to Ireland.” Cailin was hesitant about giving away too much information to the stranger.
“So where ye's goin' to be?” Keith's accent was thick, similar to Darren's, but a little rougher around the edges.
“Oh, I'm going to be living in Derry,” Cailin felt that Ireland was a big enough country and Derry a big enough town that Keith wouldn't be near where she was going.
“Hey, that's me too! Derry's, a great place. Actually I'm from just outside Derry, but it's mostly the same.” Keith seemed thrilled that she would be in Derry.
Cailin tried to change the subject thinking Keith was asking too many questions about her, “So, I see you were carrying a guitar. Do you play a lot?”
“Sure do, I write my music and play, and do a little performing with some other lads. Sometimes, when I'm not traveling, I play some in a bar in Derry called Sandino's. Heard of it?” Keith obviously loved talking about music. He lit up when Cailin asked about the guitar.
“I've only spent about 2 days in Derry and when I was there I went to a benefit concert at the Millennium Forum. It was to raise funds for the hospital. Is Sandino's near there?” Cailin was trying to keep much of the conversation away from her personal life.
“Was that concert last month? I was supposed to play there with some friends but I had to do some work in America. Wished I coulda been there. Those gigs are always great craic. My boy Darren does a great job in organizing them.”
And with that the look on Cailin's face was astonishment.
“Are you talking about Darren Ryan?” she asked Keith.
“You know the man?” Keith asked back. Now he was the one surprised.
“He's my...my....boyfriend, I guess,” Cailin stammered back not knowing for sure how to explain their relationship.
“Boyfriend!!! Yeooowwww! Ole Darren's finally got himself a lassie!” and Keith started laughing.
They spent the next couple of hours chatting about how Cailin met Darren and how Keith had known Darren for a long time with the common connection being music. Cailin wondered why she had not heard of Keith if he was well known in Ireland and was doing work in the United States. He seemed to always be a little vague about what he was doing in the US other than a little surfing when he got the chance.
“So's are you taking the bus to Derry from the airport?” Keith asked as the plane started to circle around and make it's approach to Dublin.
“Actually Darren is picking me up at the airport. Were you going to take the bus?” Cailin felt obligated to offer a ride since Keith knew Darren so well.
“Usually do take the bus, but a ride would be great. And meetin up with Darren would be great craic! Hope he's got a big vehicle. I could have loaned him my Big Red if I knew what was up.”
“Oh, I don't know what he's driving. Guess we'll just have to wait and see,” Cailin now felt bad in case Darren couldn't fit Keith's stuff in the car too.
They buckled up for landing and Cailin's insides started to brew with excitement at finally arriving in Ireland and getting to see Darren again.
Her two best traveling items, her iPod and a good book, were at the ready for the 6 hour flight to Dublin. The best part of this was knowing that when she arrived Darren would be meeting her. It had been a long 3 weeks since they had seen each other. Even though they talked almost every day on the phone with the 5 hour time difference it was sometimes difficult. Darren had been doing his best between work times to make sure everything was ready for Cailin when she arrived and moved into her flat in Derry.
The plane was not too crowded but Cailin did have a young man sitting next to her. He was tall and well built and looked like a California surfer from pictures she had seen in magazines. He had long blond shaggy hair and blue eyes. Once he said hello, it was obvious he was not from California, but from Ireland.
He introduced himself as Keith, with a smile that showed off his dimples. He was carrying a guitar and placed it in the bin overhead next to Cailin's carry-on.
Cailin, not wanting to seem rude, introduced herself, “Hi, Keith, my name is Cailin.”
“For such an Irish name, you must be from America, right?” he asked.
“I'm from New York City. I'm moving to Ireland.” Cailin was hesitant about giving away too much information to the stranger.
“So where ye's goin' to be?” Keith's accent was thick, similar to Darren's, but a little rougher around the edges.
“Oh, I'm going to be living in Derry,” Cailin felt that Ireland was a big enough country and Derry a big enough town that Keith wouldn't be near where she was going.
“Hey, that's me too! Derry's, a great place. Actually I'm from just outside Derry, but it's mostly the same.” Keith seemed thrilled that she would be in Derry.
Cailin tried to change the subject thinking Keith was asking too many questions about her, “So, I see you were carrying a guitar. Do you play a lot?”
“Sure do, I write my music and play, and do a little performing with some other lads. Sometimes, when I'm not traveling, I play some in a bar in Derry called Sandino's. Heard of it?” Keith obviously loved talking about music. He lit up when Cailin asked about the guitar.
“I've only spent about 2 days in Derry and when I was there I went to a benefit concert at the Millennium Forum. It was to raise funds for the hospital. Is Sandino's near there?” Cailin was trying to keep much of the conversation away from her personal life.
“Was that concert last month? I was supposed to play there with some friends but I had to do some work in America. Wished I coulda been there. Those gigs are always great craic. My boy Darren does a great job in organizing them.”
And with that the look on Cailin's face was astonishment.
“Are you talking about Darren Ryan?” she asked Keith.
“You know the man?” Keith asked back. Now he was the one surprised.
“He's my...my....boyfriend, I guess,” Cailin stammered back not knowing for sure how to explain their relationship.
“Boyfriend!!! Yeooowwww! Ole Darren's finally got himself a lassie!” and Keith started laughing.
They spent the next couple of hours chatting about how Cailin met Darren and how Keith had known Darren for a long time with the common connection being music. Cailin wondered why she had not heard of Keith if he was well known in Ireland and was doing work in the United States. He seemed to always be a little vague about what he was doing in the US other than a little surfing when he got the chance.
“So's are you taking the bus to Derry from the airport?” Keith asked as the plane started to circle around and make it's approach to Dublin.
“Actually Darren is picking me up at the airport. Were you going to take the bus?” Cailin felt obligated to offer a ride since Keith knew Darren so well.
“Usually do take the bus, but a ride would be great. And meetin up with Darren would be great craic! Hope he's got a big vehicle. I could have loaned him my Big Red if I knew what was up.”
“Oh, I don't know what he's driving. Guess we'll just have to wait and see,” Cailin now felt bad in case Darren couldn't fit Keith's stuff in the car too.
They buckled up for landing and Cailin's insides started to brew with excitement at finally arriving in Ireland and getting to see Darren again.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Travels in Eire #42
As the week had progressed Cailin took time in the evenings to pack and organize for the move. She and her dad had arranged for a friend with a pickup truck to come by the apartment on the following Wednesday to load up those things that would be stored at her parents indefinitely. The same day she had a storage company coming by to load up all her furniture to store while she was gone. Cailin had considered selling it, or giving it away, but she had spend a lot of time choosing this furniture and was not ready to part with it just yet. There wasn't a lot, but she could not expect her parents to store everything. She made arrangements for a 3 month storage. After that time, she would need to decide what to do with all the furniture.
Cailin had a discussion with the building super the week before about not being able to give a month's notice. But this was New York City and housing was at a premium. He already had a waiting list for when apartments became available and said if he could rent it quickly it was not problem. She had stopped by his apartment on the first floor on her way home and found out he already had someone to move in the apartment the week after she left. With Cailin moving out on Wednesday, that would leave the super 2 days to get the apartment ready for the new tenant.
As Cailin was packing those things that would be shipped over to Ireland she had to make some very difficult decisions. Over the years she had collected so many keepsakes that were very dear to her. She wished she could take all of them along. She loved her music collection but was worried about being able to play her CDs and DVDs in Ireland. She had to take into consideration the difference in electrical needs. Even with converters in every plug, it would be difficult. To avoid some of the problems she made sure all her favorite music was loaded on her iPod. Most songs were already there including a lot of Irish musicians such as Celtic Thunder, The High Kings, Lunasa, and many others.
She wondered if she would be able to use her ipod with a player that she might purchase in Ireland. That would be a question for Darren.
As Cailin packed, she kept a list of questions for Darren that would help her make decisions for what to take. Sometimes Darren needed to find out some of the answers, but mostly he knew what she would need. In there many conversations Darren shared that he had told his parents about Cailin's move to Derry. Cailin was very curious to know how Darren's mum, Maura, felt about this. Darren relayed to her that for the most part his mum was cautious, but positive. His da couldn't be happier. He did state that his granddad told him that he knew this would happen all along.
All this time Cailin had been wearing the Connemara marble heart that Darren had bought for her. Whenever she started to question her decision, or feel a little insecure about what she was planning, she reached up and held on to it. There was something about the stone that took her right back to that moment in the store when Darren put the necklace on her. It gave her a very settled and warm feeling. It was then she felt at home.
As Cailn checked of the list of things she needed to deal with, she suddenly realized that she needed to take care of where all her mail was sent. For work she dealt with mostly emails and faxes, she hadn't even thought about getting her mailing address in Derry The easiest thing to do was have all her mail forwarded to her parents until she got settled. There would be no bills to deal with, and through regular contact with her parents she could find out what needed to be handled. Over time she would share her Derry address with friends. It would probably be a PO Box, and that would be fine. As she was considering all of this she paused and realized that she was thinking long term here and not just three months.
Just then her bell rang. Cailin answered the call from downstairs, “Yes?”
“Cailin, it's Sherry, are you ready to get some dinner? Or did you totally forget about tonight?” Sherry, a good friend, had made arrangements with Cailin to go out this Friday night.
“Oh, Sherry, come on up! I was just lost in all this moving and packing,” Cailin buzzed the door open laughing at herself for getting so enmeshed in packing.
The two girls spend a few minutes surveying Cailin's slightly unorganized apartment and headed out for Chinese food for a long leisurely dinner to catch up with each other. This was one person who Cailin would share information about Darren. Sherry could hear Cailin's excitement and knew that this was something very special for her.
“Guess I'm going to have to come visit you in Derry to check out this handsome man!” Sherry teased.
“Sherry, you are one person who I would love to come and visit. It would be great to see someone from over here. And just maybe Darren has a friend who might catch your fancy!” Cailin knew she would miss some of her friends and Sherry was one of them.
The two girls chatted and laughed for what seemed like hours and then headed back to Cailin's apartment where Sherry said her good-byes. As Cailin entered her apartment, she suddenly felt a little sad. She had made this amazing life for herself in New York City, and now she was leaving it not knowing for sure what was going to happen. On one hand she was excited for the new adventure, on the other, she was a little afraid.
Cailin had a discussion with the building super the week before about not being able to give a month's notice. But this was New York City and housing was at a premium. He already had a waiting list for when apartments became available and said if he could rent it quickly it was not problem. She had stopped by his apartment on the first floor on her way home and found out he already had someone to move in the apartment the week after she left. With Cailin moving out on Wednesday, that would leave the super 2 days to get the apartment ready for the new tenant.
As Cailin was packing those things that would be shipped over to Ireland she had to make some very difficult decisions. Over the years she had collected so many keepsakes that were very dear to her. She wished she could take all of them along. She loved her music collection but was worried about being able to play her CDs and DVDs in Ireland. She had to take into consideration the difference in electrical needs. Even with converters in every plug, it would be difficult. To avoid some of the problems she made sure all her favorite music was loaded on her iPod. Most songs were already there including a lot of Irish musicians such as Celtic Thunder, The High Kings, Lunasa, and many others.
She wondered if she would be able to use her ipod with a player that she might purchase in Ireland. That would be a question for Darren.
As Cailin packed, she kept a list of questions for Darren that would help her make decisions for what to take. Sometimes Darren needed to find out some of the answers, but mostly he knew what she would need. In there many conversations Darren shared that he had told his parents about Cailin's move to Derry. Cailin was very curious to know how Darren's mum, Maura, felt about this. Darren relayed to her that for the most part his mum was cautious, but positive. His da couldn't be happier. He did state that his granddad told him that he knew this would happen all along.
All this time Cailin had been wearing the Connemara marble heart that Darren had bought for her. Whenever she started to question her decision, or feel a little insecure about what she was planning, she reached up and held on to it. There was something about the stone that took her right back to that moment in the store when Darren put the necklace on her. It gave her a very settled and warm feeling. It was then she felt at home.
As Cailn checked of the list of things she needed to deal with, she suddenly realized that she needed to take care of where all her mail was sent. For work she dealt with mostly emails and faxes, she hadn't even thought about getting her mailing address in Derry The easiest thing to do was have all her mail forwarded to her parents until she got settled. There would be no bills to deal with, and through regular contact with her parents she could find out what needed to be handled. Over time she would share her Derry address with friends. It would probably be a PO Box, and that would be fine. As she was considering all of this she paused and realized that she was thinking long term here and not just three months.
Just then her bell rang. Cailin answered the call from downstairs, “Yes?”
“Cailin, it's Sherry, are you ready to get some dinner? Or did you totally forget about tonight?” Sherry, a good friend, had made arrangements with Cailin to go out this Friday night.
“Oh, Sherry, come on up! I was just lost in all this moving and packing,” Cailin buzzed the door open laughing at herself for getting so enmeshed in packing.
The two girls spend a few minutes surveying Cailin's slightly unorganized apartment and headed out for Chinese food for a long leisurely dinner to catch up with each other. This was one person who Cailin would share information about Darren. Sherry could hear Cailin's excitement and knew that this was something very special for her.
“Guess I'm going to have to come visit you in Derry to check out this handsome man!” Sherry teased.
“Sherry, you are one person who I would love to come and visit. It would be great to see someone from over here. And just maybe Darren has a friend who might catch your fancy!” Cailin knew she would miss some of her friends and Sherry was one of them.
The two girls chatted and laughed for what seemed like hours and then headed back to Cailin's apartment where Sherry said her good-byes. As Cailin entered her apartment, she suddenly felt a little sad. She had made this amazing life for herself in New York City, and now she was leaving it not knowing for sure what was going to happen. On one hand she was excited for the new adventure, on the other, she was a little afraid.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Travels in Eire #41
The remainder of the day flew by for Cailin. She worked with the HR department to hammer out the details of her contract making sure she felt it was what she wanted and would serve both the purposes of her office and her needs. It was all typed up and ready for her signature when the realization of what she was doing finally hit her. She would be leaving all her friends here at work and basically working alone in her flat in Derry.
Cailin sat down at her desk a little maudlin thinking about all she would be giving up at her end. Up to this point she had only focused forward and her rush to be with Darren not considering what she would be leaving behind. Suddenly she realized that someone was standing in her doorway. It was Rob.
“Are you changing your mind, Cailin?” he could see the look on her face.
“I guess the reality of it all is setting in.”
“Cailin, remember, nothing is permanent at this point. This is a three month trial. You can always come back here. And mostly this is your choice.” Rob knew Cailin well.
“Rob, thanks for all of this. You've been so supportive.” Cailin turned to the signature page of the contract and signed her agreement.
Rob leaned over Cailin's desk to put his signature on the line below Cailin's. “Don't you thing we should go announce this to the rest of the staff?”
By the time Rob and Cailin walked into the meeting room, everyone else was there. You could hear the buzz of rumor suddenly hush as they walked into the room. Cailin took a seat next to Bonnie, and Rob got the meeting started. Everyone was very excited and supportive for Cailin and this new venture. There were more questions about Ireland and Cailin's reason for moving there than she could answer. They all decided on a bon voyage party for that Friday where Cailin would have time to answer questions and they could send her off appropriately. Her office loved a reason to party.
The remainder of the week went flying by as Cailin finished up research that she needed to complete and briefed Bonnie on how they would handle communication with the five hour time difference. Cailin started to work on communication instructions for the remainder of the staff, so they could reach her with assignments as needed. There would also be weekly conference calls, and Skype calls. As far as Cailin could tell, clients would not even realize that she was working outside of the office. She rarely had contact with the actual clients, other than a phone call for information, so this was not a problem.
Friday came so quickly that Cailin felt she was not ready. As the week had progressed she had been talking to Darren almost daily for information that she needed and support at his end. Her plane reservations were made for the following Friday. Darren would take the day off of work and borrow a car to pick her up in Dublin when she arrived. She could hear how excited he was that they were only apart for three weeks since she left Ireland. He told her that he had big plans for the two of them that weekend. Cailin was afraid to ask knowing that Darren would not tell her anyway, and finished that phone call with a big smile.
Cailin and Bonnie had boxed up any important documents that she might need in Ireland and set a time for them to be shipped off to Cailin's new flat. She wanted to make sure she was there before they arrived. Other than her work laptop, everything else would stay at her desk. Bonnie would FedEx anything else she needed. Cailin would purchase a fax machine in Ireland to accommodate the electrical and phone difference.
The work party was a blast, as all their parties were. Rob was very careful in choosing employees who would work well together. Even with age differences and personal lives differing, the staff all got along better than most, so parties were lively and friendly. Cailin mingled with everyone and answered as many questions as she could. She tried to stay away from questions about Darren and mostly explained that she felt a strong connection to Ireland and felt the need to move there for a while to see if it was something she wanted on a permanent basis.
Cailin said her last goodbyes to Rob and Bonnie and armed with her laptop headed back to her apartment in New York to pack up and move out.
Cailin sat down at her desk a little maudlin thinking about all she would be giving up at her end. Up to this point she had only focused forward and her rush to be with Darren not considering what she would be leaving behind. Suddenly she realized that someone was standing in her doorway. It was Rob.
“Are you changing your mind, Cailin?” he could see the look on her face.
“I guess the reality of it all is setting in.”
“Cailin, remember, nothing is permanent at this point. This is a three month trial. You can always come back here. And mostly this is your choice.” Rob knew Cailin well.
“Rob, thanks for all of this. You've been so supportive.” Cailin turned to the signature page of the contract and signed her agreement.
Rob leaned over Cailin's desk to put his signature on the line below Cailin's. “Don't you thing we should go announce this to the rest of the staff?”
By the time Rob and Cailin walked into the meeting room, everyone else was there. You could hear the buzz of rumor suddenly hush as they walked into the room. Cailin took a seat next to Bonnie, and Rob got the meeting started. Everyone was very excited and supportive for Cailin and this new venture. There were more questions about Ireland and Cailin's reason for moving there than she could answer. They all decided on a bon voyage party for that Friday where Cailin would have time to answer questions and they could send her off appropriately. Her office loved a reason to party.
The remainder of the week went flying by as Cailin finished up research that she needed to complete and briefed Bonnie on how they would handle communication with the five hour time difference. Cailin started to work on communication instructions for the remainder of the staff, so they could reach her with assignments as needed. There would also be weekly conference calls, and Skype calls. As far as Cailin could tell, clients would not even realize that she was working outside of the office. She rarely had contact with the actual clients, other than a phone call for information, so this was not a problem.
Friday came so quickly that Cailin felt she was not ready. As the week had progressed she had been talking to Darren almost daily for information that she needed and support at his end. Her plane reservations were made for the following Friday. Darren would take the day off of work and borrow a car to pick her up in Dublin when she arrived. She could hear how excited he was that they were only apart for three weeks since she left Ireland. He told her that he had big plans for the two of them that weekend. Cailin was afraid to ask knowing that Darren would not tell her anyway, and finished that phone call with a big smile.
Cailin and Bonnie had boxed up any important documents that she might need in Ireland and set a time for them to be shipped off to Cailin's new flat. She wanted to make sure she was there before they arrived. Other than her work laptop, everything else would stay at her desk. Bonnie would FedEx anything else she needed. Cailin would purchase a fax machine in Ireland to accommodate the electrical and phone difference.
The work party was a blast, as all their parties were. Rob was very careful in choosing employees who would work well together. Even with age differences and personal lives differing, the staff all got along better than most, so parties were lively and friendly. Cailin mingled with everyone and answered as many questions as she could. She tried to stay away from questions about Darren and mostly explained that she felt a strong connection to Ireland and felt the need to move there for a while to see if it was something she wanted on a permanent basis.
Cailin said her last goodbyes to Rob and Bonnie and armed with her laptop headed back to her apartment in New York to pack up and move out.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Travels in Eire #40
It felt so strange waking up on Monday morning earlier than she had in the past couple of weeks. It was time to return to her research job in Manhattan. Cailin knew that the news of her pending departure would have spread like wildfire through the office even though she had only met with her boss, Rob, for lunch on Friday. That was if he leaked the conversation. She also suspected that Nick had been blabbing about her dumping him to all her friend over the weekend, and some of those friends worked at the office. Fortified with the confidence that she could handle all of this, she put on her power look and headed off to work.
This was summer in New York City, so even while it was still early in the day, the humidity was rolling in. Cailin wore a cotton shift dress with a sweater in the morning so she would be comfortable by the day's end. The heels on her white sandals tapped on the marble floor as she exited the elevator on the 5th floor. She took a deep breath as she entered the office doors.
To her surprise, the first person she passed, Rob's receptionist, turned to her saying, “Way to go Cailin.” And there were more of these compliments as she walked by open offices down the hall to her work area. She expected this universal support had more to do with Nick than anything else. Everyone was supporting her in getting rid of him. She hardly expected this. Maybe Rob had kept her desire to work remotely very quiet.
Cailin shared a work space with another young woman researcher for the firm. Bonnie was still having a great time clubbing and dating a vast array of young men. She was not ready to settle down at all. But she was fun to work with and quite capable of supporting Cailin here in New York while Cailin worked in Derry and kept up on what she needed to do for the firm.
Bonnie's desk was empty and Cailin figured she must be off doing some research for an assignment. Cailin dropped off her purse and headed to Rob's office. She was hoping to find out if Rob had made a decision about her working from Ireland. She really needed to have a job that would support her and this would be the best way.
“Hi Rob, can we chat for a few?” Cailin was upbeat and cheery as she stood in Rob's doorway.
“Cailin, I've taken a lot of time to think about your proposal to work from Ireland. Here's what I'd like you to do today. Write up an agreement that we can both live with that spells out all the details of how this will work. I also want you to put in it a clause that it is a temporary and trial situation for 3 months. After that we will renegotiate the details of the agreement, or cancel it. Does that sound fair enough?” Rob seemed to have thought about this a lot over the weekend.
“Rob, does that mean you are approving this idea?” Cailin could not believe what she was hearing.
“Hold on Cailin. I have to get approval from the partners, but after much thought I figured if we treated it like an outside consultant contract, I would feel much better about it. Your pay would be the same. I'm not sure how we would handle benefits, but we'll leave that up to HR.”
“Rob, that's wonderful. I'll get to work on the contract immediately. I also have some outstanding research and will finish that up by mid-week. I'd like to have next week off to transition over to Northern Ireland and get everything set up and settled. Would that work?” Cailin was already thinking ahead. This is what made her such a good researcher.
“Okay, Cailin, so off with you and get me that contract so we can make your dreams come true,” Rob said this with a wink and a smile. He had heard about Nick too, and this was his way of telling Cialin she did well to have finally gotten rid of him.
Cailin could barely wait until her lunch break to call Darren. He would be just about off work for the day. they only had a few minutes, but she could hear how excited Darren was in his voice. His big question was “When?”. And all Cailin could tell him was very soon. She didn't want to spoil it and didn't even have her ticket for her flight back yet.
She and Bonnie went to lunch together and she told Bonnie about her plans. Ever the adventurous, Bonnie was delighted and said that would be great working that way, thinking she might get a trip to Ireland out of this. Cailin felt it was more likely she would be making trips back to New York, which was great because she could visit her family too.
In the meantime Rob scheduled a meeting for all the staff at the end of the day. Cailin expected he would be announcing her departure and plans to work from Ireland. All she needed was approval of the other partners, but from what Rob had said, that was almost a moot point.
This was summer in New York City, so even while it was still early in the day, the humidity was rolling in. Cailin wore a cotton shift dress with a sweater in the morning so she would be comfortable by the day's end. The heels on her white sandals tapped on the marble floor as she exited the elevator on the 5th floor. She took a deep breath as she entered the office doors.
To her surprise, the first person she passed, Rob's receptionist, turned to her saying, “Way to go Cailin.” And there were more of these compliments as she walked by open offices down the hall to her work area. She expected this universal support had more to do with Nick than anything else. Everyone was supporting her in getting rid of him. She hardly expected this. Maybe Rob had kept her desire to work remotely very quiet.
Cailin shared a work space with another young woman researcher for the firm. Bonnie was still having a great time clubbing and dating a vast array of young men. She was not ready to settle down at all. But she was fun to work with and quite capable of supporting Cailin here in New York while Cailin worked in Derry and kept up on what she needed to do for the firm.
Bonnie's desk was empty and Cailin figured she must be off doing some research for an assignment. Cailin dropped off her purse and headed to Rob's office. She was hoping to find out if Rob had made a decision about her working from Ireland. She really needed to have a job that would support her and this would be the best way.
“Hi Rob, can we chat for a few?” Cailin was upbeat and cheery as she stood in Rob's doorway.
“Cailin, I've taken a lot of time to think about your proposal to work from Ireland. Here's what I'd like you to do today. Write up an agreement that we can both live with that spells out all the details of how this will work. I also want you to put in it a clause that it is a temporary and trial situation for 3 months. After that we will renegotiate the details of the agreement, or cancel it. Does that sound fair enough?” Rob seemed to have thought about this a lot over the weekend.
“Rob, does that mean you are approving this idea?” Cailin could not believe what she was hearing.
“Hold on Cailin. I have to get approval from the partners, but after much thought I figured if we treated it like an outside consultant contract, I would feel much better about it. Your pay would be the same. I'm not sure how we would handle benefits, but we'll leave that up to HR.”
“Rob, that's wonderful. I'll get to work on the contract immediately. I also have some outstanding research and will finish that up by mid-week. I'd like to have next week off to transition over to Northern Ireland and get everything set up and settled. Would that work?” Cailin was already thinking ahead. This is what made her such a good researcher.
“Okay, Cailin, so off with you and get me that contract so we can make your dreams come true,” Rob said this with a wink and a smile. He had heard about Nick too, and this was his way of telling Cialin she did well to have finally gotten rid of him.
Cailin could barely wait until her lunch break to call Darren. He would be just about off work for the day. they only had a few minutes, but she could hear how excited Darren was in his voice. His big question was “When?”. And all Cailin could tell him was very soon. She didn't want to spoil it and didn't even have her ticket for her flight back yet.
She and Bonnie went to lunch together and she told Bonnie about her plans. Ever the adventurous, Bonnie was delighted and said that would be great working that way, thinking she might get a trip to Ireland out of this. Cailin felt it was more likely she would be making trips back to New York, which was great because she could visit her family too.
In the meantime Rob scheduled a meeting for all the staff at the end of the day. Cailin expected he would be announcing her departure and plans to work from Ireland. All she needed was approval of the other partners, but from what Rob had said, that was almost a moot point.
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