I am There but not Here...Tim​e to say "Bye"

Farewell - Bye Bye Time

Finally the moment/day has come for which we not waiting but as we all know time never stops for anybody and this moment had to come and it came on 5th April Evening.
As I go ahead writing about today evening and of Friday/Saturday, one will see and have just one question in mind - how can people get so close and get bonded so well in just 4 weeks.
As per our plan, we had to exchange the gifts today/last day of our assignment and this was the moment. Somewhere around 7 PM, 5th APril-2012 we all met in our Team Room 312.

Started one by one.
First was Ruth - She got a handmade box(for girls) - very cute and a toy taxi/bus (for boys) from Philippines.
Next was Javier - He gave us the USB/Pendrive with Mexican Songs ( very different thought).
Next was Jess - She got the black rice for each one of us. Also said that she will be sending the recipes for the same over the email. I requested her to send something for Veg also. But, I suppose none of us had ever seen the Black Rice.
Then came Arun with a small key chain of elephant and Ganeshji. God bless all of us. Wish, the friendship we all started in Makasaar remains for ever.
Now our lovely Cheryl came up with lovely gifts of a neck piece for girls and t-shirts for boys.
Our Military Man Tom gave a friendship band but it was not just a friendship band, it could be used in different ways and this showed how one should optimize his/her travel bag while travelling. We could use it as fishing line. Awesome thought.
After this Sabine gave us chips...So cute of her. Actually she had got key chains and Austrian Chocolates which she gave it our clients.
So, next was my turn. From India I brought and elephant which has the significance of greeting/wishing for the good beginning in somebody's life and also pen.Both the things were very traditional and hand made. Best was my brother's wife who had packed them so well. She had put flowers over them made by herself. Thanks to her.
Also, last one week, I have been working over something as a surprise to be given. I wanted to give something which is small and can be close to hearts forever. So I made the cards with some pictures. It was a tough job. First got the handmade papers from the mall. Then, had to run around to find the Photo Shop somewhere who can print the pictures for me. Finally found one shop, but next issue was the explanation that what and how I want. Final issue was not letting my team know that I am doing something like this. Maybe, this whole thing took more than a week to get completed but many a times, I had to tell a lie to my friends when I was going out alone here n there.
While giving this, I said something and I got choked and could not speak after that. It made me speechless. I was normal till this time but don't know what happened. It made me speechless, no more words. Ok getting back to the moment, as soon as I gave this - Jess broke the seal. She started crying. Everybody got emotional, got quiet. Some spoke, something was being said but somewhere somehow I got lost. So many things were running in my head. I realized I need to go back to face the reality. Tom said that we all are like a family and you are the middle child of this family with whom anybody can talk and share anything. Also, he said we have seen so much change in you, you have grown up a lot here. Javier, Jess, Arun , everybody said something, but each moment I was moving deep inside somewhere. Something started hurting me and I was lost after that.
We all got quiet for sometime, no words, didn't know what to do.

Also, I had made the same card for my clients also which was given to them in the morning... And these are the 9 cards for my team with something special for each one of them. My sweet little family. Thanks so much guys. You are so special for me.

Then, ball went in Vivek's court and he said he hasn't got anything but had words. He spoke about each one of us and vive-vera. Good thoughts and good feelings for each other.

Last was our Very Very Hot Member - Marcelo. He collected some Brazilian songs for us and had put them in the CD. So sweet of him.

And then, suddenly when we were all done. Arun or Ruth said, Nitu what happened. You are always talking non-stop. What happened. Say something.I couldn't smile, couldn't say a word. Javier said, Guys go on Facebook and read what she has written. But, then Vivek read it for all of us and it made me cry more. Tom was looking at me and he saw that I was crying quietly. He said, do you want a hug. I just jumped up for it. I really needed it. I cried holding him.Thanks a lot Tom. And next hug and crying together was with Jess. Again, we all just sat down trying to talk. It was almost 9 I suppose(don't remember) and then we left for dinner.

We all went for dinner and then some of us for dancing/club.
We came back late night. All my friends know, I am not a song/dance person, but I used to go with all to be with all and see them smiling and dancing. That gives such a good feeling and also I feel so good seeing them even if I am not able to.
Friday - 6th April - Got up. Had breakfast and then rushed to complete the knowledge transfer spreadsheet and transferred my photos in the hard disk.
Irma came and along with Jess, we went for shopping. Shopping done. Back to hotel. And then the time came (3 PM) when our first 3 family members left for home. It was just cry n cry and bye n bye. Miss you guys.

After some time, Ruth, Cheryl and myself went for shopping but I didn't have my heart in it and didn't do any shopping.
We went to the Honeymoon Hotel, saw the sunset for the last time. Back for dinner to Red Bowl - our last dinner in Makassar.
In the meantime, Irma came in the Hotel and gave the Kabaya dresses for Sabine and myself. What should I say. Again a gift. These people are so sweet and so lovely. Can't believe how can somebody be so good.
Last night in Hotel - packing n all.
Saturday Morning - One by one, all of us bid bye to Makassar. Cheryl left for Bali, Arun for Bangkok.

Next were we --Ruth back home Manilla, Javier to China and myself to Singapore.

Later in the day - Sabine for Dubai and Vivek for Bali.

Want to end with the below poem not mine but from my heart::::
It's hard to believe it's time to go
Leave this way of life, spread our wings and grow
Say Good-Bye to those friends that we hold dear to our hearts
Shedding tears for we'll be so far apart
Remembering all the good times and even the bad
Including the not so good discussions we sometimes had
Through the tears and the pain!!!
Friendship was our gain
We stuck together through sunshine and rain, laughs and shouts
We found out what true friends were all about
So as our month comes to an end
We'll carry in our hearts our special friends
And take with us all the memories that were made
Since that very first CSC Day!!!

Love you my Team and miss you so much!!! Wish and hopes and dreams to meeet you again somewhere, sometime, someday!!!

Keep Smiling

:)

Cheers