T'was a Friday and the Renaissance Tower lobby was uncharacteristically empty at lunch break. It used to be teeming with guests and agents to culminate a productive and busy week.
I was with a friend from the Treasury Department of the FEGC and we decided to have a leisurely talk on one of the comfortable loungers of the generously-spaced lobby. After a few exchanges, we fell silent and the lobby was pulling us to a short nap. Just as I was leaving my consciousness, a voice thundered and brought the two of us to our feet. "You're not supposed to be here!" yelled the Training Director. What we didn't realize was that there was a scheduled Business Opportunity Seminar for real estate agents and the place was being readied for the big event. This is also aside from the fact that employees are prohibited (unofficially) to use the lobby for short naps during work breaks. While we did not resist (as subordinates should always do), we felt embarrassed to have been yelled at in front of... well, I don't really know if there were some people present. We flee right away and went back to our work station at the 6/F.
That was 20 years ago. A time when I was still trying to find my own place under the sun.
And now it's quite different. A lot of things have changed and more wisdom have been added to my years. I am standing right near the place where the lounger stood. There is no more lounger, only walls of glass put up by a new tenant. The once majestic lobby is now being leased out by the new owner to a reputable bank and an ubiquitous mini grocery store chain. Looking back, I can see that the Training Director was right... I was not supposed to be there. Her words have reverberated at the back of my consciousness ever since we left the lobby that noon break and fueled me to look for my rightful place.
To the Training Director, all I can say is, "Thank you for giving me the direction."
That was 20 years ago. A time when I was still trying to find my own place under the sun.
And now it's quite different. A lot of things have changed and more wisdom have been added to my years. I am standing right near the place where the lounger stood. There is no more lounger, only walls of glass put up by a new tenant. The once majestic lobby is now being leased out by the new owner to a reputable bank and an ubiquitous mini grocery store chain. Looking back, I can see that the Training Director was right... I was not supposed to be there. Her words have reverberated at the back of my consciousness ever since we left the lobby that noon break and fueled me to look for my rightful place.
To the Training Director, all I can say is, "Thank you for giving me the direction."
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