Seven of my team members were profiled for XPS. Although that’s almost half of my team, I was kinda prepared to let go of seven since I’ve lost a few in the past and I’d already anticipated this kind of scenario. But when I called for a team meeting to formally announce the movement of the seven agents, I also told them that AJ and I would be leaving everyone, to temporarily handle an existing XPS team.
It wasn’t a good day to have our “last day.” Edwin and Third were on their off. We didn’t even get to plan a send-off party. Before the training schedule was released, we agreed to go to Club Manila East after our shift on October 3. But then we found out that XPS training would start as early as September 29, and our schedules would all be different by then.
Sweet AJ wanted to give everyone a little comfort. He said he would get some blueberry cheesecake for everyone. At the end of the shift, we had blueberry cheesecake, pancit palabok and chocolate mousse waiting in the pantry.
Earlier at work, I was in the mood to go out. I told Diane I would join them in Baclaran. When our shift ended, I wasn’t in the mood anymore. It didn’t really sink in until after all my team members had left the office. The last people I said goodbye to were Diane and Lyn. My team left me in front of Cybermall. I stood there for a while and didn’t know if I was going to cry. Instead of heading home, I just went back to the office and stayed until after 6:00 PM.
This is my third AfterBurn. I handled my first back in August 2004, second in January 2006, and my last in May 2006. So its been more than a couple of years. Several have graduated and moved on to support roles (Paula in South Beach, Mapi nearly a TOIC, Jover an XPS dispatcher, Jason an L2, Ayie in IT), some transferred to newer programs (Mike, JT and Perry in Activant, Rence and Ross in XPS), while some I had to let go of so they could become better (or reformed) agents under other TLs (JP, Pongkie and Terence). It breaks my heart every time I lose one. Yes, even if they disappoint me again and again. Imagine how broken I feel right now losing all of them.
In all the birthdays I had with my team, I always have a surprise waiting for me in the pantry. On my 28th birthday, Denver didn’t even get me anything and we were at our worst time together, but my team was waiting for me in the office with a couple of Paulo Coelho books and a birthday cake. My team never realized that they got me through my worst moments. They were my source of comfort.
I was looking forward to our third AfterBurn Christmas party this year. I’m sad that were not ONE team on Christmas 2008. I’ll miss everyone.
2 comments:
It's just sad TL. I chose to not write about it because I'd just end up ranting. They've given me another reason to resign. Yes, I know that change is inevitable but not that sudden to the point that they've taken away our need as social individuals, it's not like their will be done on earth and not in heaven.
But then again, it's for the betterment of the program, so be it.
What can I say?
Its really sad but we have to make sacrifices. It goes with our dynamic industry. Don't you remember how I left the same way the first time I handled you? That was a long time ago. And it was a happy welcome to have you back in the team.
We never lost touch through our blogs. And even if we are no longer in the company I know we will still be linked by our rantings. That I am glad to know.
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