Two weeks from today I will be home. This concept is very emotional to grasp. One part of me is so excited to be home and even be back at Elon, back in touch with all of my friends and family. But the other half of me is really sad that this is over. I just cannot believe how fast it all flew by. Today was one of many ‘lasts’ I will be experiencing in the next couple of weeks, and even wrapping my head around the beginning of the end has been putting me in a weird mood. I am not ready to leave, but I can’t say I would want to stay much longer either. It’s like I am stuck somewhere in between homesick and heartbroken to have this become a memory. I don’t want to stay, but I don’t know if I am ready to leave either. It is a very weird emotional purgatory in which I am drifting between what is and what will be, and I am starting to wonder when I am going to land and feel okay with both.
Today was my final day in the office at Kelly Management. This is a very bittersweet occasion because I have really enjoyed working at the agency. My knowledge in the industry has grown tremendously, and in addition to the contacts I have made and the fantastic work experience I have gained, I have learned a lot about my strengths, weaknesses and future career goals. This placement was truly perfect for what I not only was looking for in a working environment, but also the kind of people I was hoping to work with. Robert and Gordon have been fantastic mentors, leaders and friends and I could not have asked to work with a more patient, passionate and amazing team.
The administrative tasks of my final day began with finishing the Contacts update of the database. This took me about an hour to complete. The rest of the day I did email responses, booked prospective client meetings – two for Friday with actors Rob and Gordon saw at a showcase performance on Friday night. We are still waiting for two others to call back to be scheduled in for general meetings. After I sent emails with directions to confirm.
I reviewed show reel DVDs of one of our clients, labeled and filed them. One of our newer clients just moved to London from Korea where she was a big musical star. She is looking to break into the West End, but her English is extremely weak. She has recently been cast in The Lion King and so to resolve the translation barrier, I researched foreign language tutors and courses to get her up to par. It is truly incredible how talented she is, but until her English improves, her career choices are extremely limited, so hopefully this will help. But her voice is like a Korean Celine…she is amazing.
The rest of the day was quite slow because the industry is always dead during this time of year. I fielded phone calls and took messages while Rob and Gordon held four general meetings. The first three were pretty statu quo, but the fourth meeting was with this guy whose picures made him look like an Abercrombie and Fitch model, but when he actually came through the door (with Rob, Gordon and I all giggling and nervous like 12 year old girls – hey, at least I am actually a girl… ) it was kind of a let down. I mean he was cute, but he was not very intelligent, and not nearly as stunning as his pictures – just goes to show the power of a picture. He was very green actor who is an x-boxer. He was extremely timid and inexperienced. He did not know industry jargon and his answers to Rob’s questions about the industry were raw and unprepared. However, there was something special about him and Rob sees potential, so he is giving him a recall audition next week, in which he will come with a rehearsed script. What I love about this agency is that they take a chance on actors that may not have all the fancy training, but have a true talent and passion for acting. There are few people in this industry that run their business like Rob and Gordon – with a relaxed and approachable attitude and yet an extremely knowledgeable background. I can only hope that when I am in this business I have a similar demeanor because it is admirable and a hard balance to maintain.
At about 4:30pm, Gordon and I decorated our cute little Charlie Brown Christmas tree and strung lights up around the office, before having a Jenny, Gordon, Robert photo shoot…. It was tons of fun, and much needed since I have barely taken any pics of us. It was a very great way to end my last working day with the boys. But no worries, I plan to see them tons before I leave. I am actually having lunch with them both on Wednesday so that they can meet Ike and Brezny,plus we have a bunch of things planned before I leave, so it is not the last you will hear of the adventures of Kelly Management!
In the end, I can say without a doubt that this experience has been more valuable than I could have ever expected and while I am sad to start my many goodbyes, I know in a lot of ways this exciting adventure is just the beginning for all that is ahead. Two weeks from now, sure, I might be a little sad, but I will also have so much to look forward to. And until then, being in between is not a bad place to be when the journey is closing a chapter I will never forget and the destination is home.
Love and hugs,
Jenny
1 comment:
So well put.
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