The high of my week was the Farewell Happy Hour for the people at my office who are leaving the agency (and also for the people who are staying). Some have taken the early retirement option, and some have taken the buyout that the administration has offered federal employees (repeatedly) in the last two months. So many people showed up at a local brewery last night. We swapped stories, we laughed, we hugged, and we cried. I truly worked with some of the best people. It was one of the best (and also worst) days of my career.
The low of my week was having to say goodbye to a bunch of my longest, closest coworkers. It was officially their last day yesterday. Gosh, I’ve known and worked with these people for 20 years. It’s heart-wrenching to see them go, especially under the circumstances that they are leaving. None of them felt this was a truly voluntary decision; we all were dedicated civil servants, and all of us felt that “leaving” was just as bad as “staying” and vice versa. And the bad thing is: none of us who are staying are really safe from any RIFs (Reductions in Force) that are still to come.
Man, the cognitive dissonance these days is real.
One nagging task I marked off my to-do list was checking and updating my budget in YNAB. I am usually very good about it and check it regularly, but I hadn’t looked in over a week, and I wanted to make sure everything’s in order! Luckily, I don’t do a lot of shopping during the week, so there was not much to update.
A blog post I loved was Tell Me Something Beautiful About You on Nicole’s blog. I love her perspective on aging gracefully, of sharing photos, and being confident and embracing who we are at any stage in life! Go read her post (and also the comment section!). Worth it!
A reel that made me laugh (out loud!) was this rendition of Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy” by TheThinChefShow. Also, I want to know: how the heck do they do this?
The best money I spent was $3.49 on the box of Meyer Lemon Cake Mix from Trader Joe’s. I believe it’s a seasonal item, and people always rave about it. And since I am a big fan of all things ‘lemon’, I picked up a box on my grocery run. I am usually not someone who uses cake mixes (I mean, I can just as quickly throw together the ingredients for a cake myself), but I am still very curious to try this mix and see what all the fuss is about!
My plans this weekend include baking my Easter Bread, going for a run (gosh, I need to get back on a regular running schedule), going to the post office, and looking for white asparagus. It’s kinda hard to find in the US, although I’ve been lucky a couple of times in the past. I haven’t seen any in a long time, though, but Meike posted that she found some at her local market, and I decided that I have to go looking, too! If you’ve never had white asparagus, I need to tell you that you’re missing out!
Have a great Easter weekend.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
April 19, 2025 at 12:20 amHave a happy Easter weekend.
I am planning to take a longer walk in a bit and then hit the grocery store to get white asparagus – the first of the season and still very expensive. But I am glad I can get it anytime I want until June now.
I am so sorry about your work situation. It is just so F* up. All of it. I really have no more words and I am really scared of where this all is going.
San
April 21, 2025 at 6:49 amThank you, my friend . I appreciate your commiseration ! And I’m really happy you have better access to white asparagus. :)
coco
April 19, 2025 at 1:19 amHappy Easter. what a bittersweet week, saying goodbye to long time work friends is hard. I”ve never had white asparagus, do they taste different than green ones?
San
April 21, 2025 at 6:48 amThank you, Coco! I appreciate it. Yes White asparagus tastes a little different, it has a little bit more of a distinct taste. But I love it.
Anne
April 19, 2025 at 2:54 amIt must be so hard to say goodbye to your coworkers. You are making this country better, and it kills me that you, your colleagues, and others like you across the federal government are paying the price for the stupidity of those in “power”. I’m glad you had the time together to laugh, cry, and remember the good things you have done together. And I’m sorry that you have the continued uncertainty of the chaos taking over this country.
To a brighter topic – lemon is quintessentially spring. I hope that the cake turns out well! and I hope that your quest for white asparagus (Spargel, right?) is successful. I had it once, in Germany, years and years ago. I thought the name was hilarious, but the asparagus itself was delicious. Enjoy. :)
Thinking of you, friend. I hope your weekend helps remind you of what you love. <3
San
April 21, 2025 at 6:52 amThank you, my friend. Your support means a lot. I know you understand! It’s really a sad time!
I’m so happy to hear you had white Spargel before! It’s so delicious! The guy at the checkout this weekend asked me what it was. He had never seen white asparagus before. Ha ha.
Nicole MacPherson
April 19, 2025 at 6:39 amThank you so much for the shout-out! I’m so glad you enjoyed that post. My favourite thing was the comments, hearing about what everyone loves about themselves!
I’m sorry so many of your longtime coworkers are leaving.
But on the upside – lemon cake! Easter bread! I hope you have a restful weekend, friend. xo
San
April 21, 2025 at 6:53 amYes, that was a great post Nicole and I really enjoyed everybody’s comments so much!
Grateful Kae
April 19, 2025 at 6:45 amDid I know you used YNAB? I feel like I didn’t remember that! I have been wanting to try it. How long have you used it?
San
April 21, 2025 at 6:53 amI’ve posted about YNAB before. I’ve been using the software for 10 years.
Lisa’s Yarns
April 19, 2025 at 7:32 amGoing away parties can be fun as you see so many people but they are also such a bummer since you are saying goodbye to coworkers you enjoyed! I feel so badly for government employees. The amount of uncertainty would be so stressful!!
I have never had white asparagus! It’s not something I see in our supermarkets!!
San
April 21, 2025 at 6:55 amThank you, Lisa. I appreciate your support. It’s really a stressful time right now and it’s not stopping anytime soon. White asparagus is really hard to find enough only been able to find it a handful of times… But if you ever see it at the supermarket, you should give it a try!
Stephany
April 19, 2025 at 7:22 pmThe going away parties must be so bittersweet. And to think that it didn’t have to be this way! I’m sorry you’re dealing with so much turmoil and uncertainty. It really sucks.
I’m not a fan of GREEN asparagus so I’m not sure I’d like white asparagus, haha. How is it different?
San
April 21, 2025 at 6:57 amIt really didn’t have to be this way :( why did we elect somebody who was just gonna create chaos and pain instead of actually helping people?
White asparagus is a little different from green asparagus. I would say it has a little bit more of a distinct taste, but but I don’t think you would like it if you don’t like the green one. Although we eat the white asparagus either with melted butter or hollandaise sauce, so that might change your mind. :)
Kim
April 20, 2025 at 12:45 pmThe goodbyes are so hard. Sending you all the love <3
San
April 21, 2025 at 6:57 amI’m sending you so much love back, Kim <3 hope you’re hanging in there!
Elisabeth
April 21, 2025 at 11:12 amI’ve never seen – or heard of, for that matter – white asparagus.
Oof. It’s all…a lot. I so bittersweet, I suspect mostly bitter. It feels like a vortex/dream even from the outside looking into what is happening in the US.
I hope you had a wonderful long weekend (I assume you got at least one day off fo Easter?)
NGS
April 21, 2025 at 2:03 pmIt is so hard what federal workers are going through. Hugs to you, friend. May you all come out the other side happier than ever.
Tanja Jordan
April 22, 2025 at 5:57 amSo sorry you (and all your coworkers and now former-coworkers) have to go through all these crazy changes. I hate saying ‘goodbye’ to long time coworkers who became friends. Virtual Hug my friend!
Ally Bean
April 23, 2025 at 6:44 amI’m late to commenting but hope you had a lovely Easter weekend. The idea of lemon cake is calling to me. If only a Trader Joe’s was closer by me. Saying good-bye to co-workers is a necessary but can be sad, too. I remember.
J
April 25, 2025 at 10:49 pmOh, lemon cake sounds wonderful. I’m really late commenting, I read this in my email and then forgot. I just saw white asparagus at the grocery store yesterday and thought of you. I don’t think I’ve ever tried it.