19 April 2007
The Farewell Party
On Tuesday, I went to my own farewell party in the Dean’s Office at Zayed Central Library. Rebecca [the Collection Development Librarian, a native of Hong Kong] was also an honoree since she will be leaving in about six weeks. The attendees were the Dean, the Dean’s Assistant and secretary, the Assistant Head of Public Services, my supervisor, the Assistant Head of Cataloging, someone from Rebecca’s department, the supervisor of the Maqam Science Library, Rebecca’s replacement [an Emirati male] and a other few people who filtered in and out. We all sat around on the large leather couches and chairs in the office and the Dean officiated. First he said wonderful things about Rebecca, who has been here longer than I, and her accomplishments, then he talked about me and my achievements, then he opened the floor to anyone who wanted to give tributes and most did. Then it was Rebecca’s turn to say her piece, then mine. I included in my remarks my video conference job interview with the Assistant Head of Public Services, who had recruited me, and my supervisor and that on the screen, my supervisor looked huge, like a football linebacker and then my surprise when I arrived I found out he was “regular sized.” He was laughing so hard he could hardly talk but finally managed to say, “You found out he was just a *little* guy.” Actually, that’s true, he is rather small. Fortunately, he has a good sense of humor. I told about the bus trip to Abu Dhabi I took with Rebecca when I saw my first camels and was so excited, I nearly pointed to them and turned to tell everyone on the bus, “Look! Camels!” but realized in the nick of time that they probably wouldn’t be impressed, so I turned to Rebecca and said quietly, “Look! Camels!” They all laughed at that.
Then the Dean presented us with identical gifts, certificates from the university in official padded folders, then a crystal cube with the university logo and our name, then a necklace of tiny gold chain and a charm. He said, “There’s a coffeepot and a camel,” and handed me the camel saying, “I think you like camels.” (I managed to thank him and not grab the camel before Rebecca could say she’d prefer it) and finally, a tiny metal box with an enamel decoration of a camel on the top surface. Then the Assistant Head of Public Services gave us each a small bag with gifts in it. When I opened them later, I found a gorgeous fancy gold ring with (I assume) rhinestones and a watch smathered, but tastefully, with rhinestones surrounding the watch face. Wow! I’ve never had fancier adornments except, possibly my engagement/wedding ring, now long gone.
Finally came eating. There was some great food served buffet-style and we all sat around talking. The Dean asked Rebecca and me some interesting questions like, “Who are easier to get along with, men or women?” And, “What are some of the problems you see here?” To the first, I replied, “Males, but that might be because I have five brothers and only one sister, so I learned early on how to deal with males.” Rebecca claimed to get along equally well with both. Then more people began drifting in and most of us drifted out. I thanked the Dean on my way out, of course.
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