What an interesting day it’s been.
We both did the deeds we had said we would – we resigned. I hadn’t spoken to anyone at work before about the possibility of emigrating, so I knew it was going to be a surprise.
I made an appointment with my boss in his office and – like a naughty boy going to see the headmaster – turned up at the allotted time. I was surprisingly nervous – I’ve never resigned before – and it was an odd feeling. I’ve always done my best at work – never shirked – and it seemed a bit disloyal to be resigning. I knew it wasn’t really disloyal – employees come, employees go – but that’s still how it felt at the time. I told him my news – we had decided to emigrate and I’d like to give my notice. He nodded. It was all very calm and matter of fact.
Then – wonder of wonders – he said he doesn’t blame me for emigrating. Scotland / the UK – call it what you will – is “going down the pan at a rapid rate of knots” he said – and if it wasn’t for his family situation, he’d be doing the same thing himself!
So, in the end, it was a much easier experience than I thought it would be. He says he’ll be happy to give me a very good reference to any employer in Canada who asks, and he wished me the best of luck for the future.
I got the same reaction from most of the people I told – they thought we were doing exactly the right thing and they wished they were emigrating too. One or two people were a bit put out – they seemed to think we were committing some sort of act of treason against Scotland by leaving. I suppose it takes all sorts.
Tomorrow’s the next tough step, telling my parents that we’re moving several thousand miles away from them. The emigration business is certainly a tough experience emotionally, if nothing else!