we're not in kansas anymore

there's something about walking through the UN doors in the morning that really makes you feel like you're on international ground. new york pretty much just melts away.

for one, people actually take the time to say hi or nod a warm hello to as much people as possible, despite not knowing who you're nodding to. the men make sure the ladies get into, and out of, the elevator or the turnstile first. furthermore, they hold the doors open for you when they see you coming, unlike most people (men mostly) who will push you out of the way just to get out of the subway first. and contrary to the rat race competition that new yorkers/wallstreet people find themselves in, at the UN you know you're not about to get screwed over (save for the occasional few douche bosses maybe who know they wield power. even the UN has those).

there's this adorable older man i keep seeing on my floor who never fails to make me smile when i pass him in the halls. and no, it's not the kind that gives you butterflies. more like the kind that your grandpa gives you back when you were 7 when he does something sweet like show you a magic trick on a random day, or tell you a random story about growing up in the olden days. i don't really know what it was about him, but he seemed to bring that feeling out in me (maybe it was the english accent haha). anyway, this man, malcom, always says hi and always asks how i'm doing. it definitely makes the day better when it happens in the morning. makes me feel like the rest of the day won't be so bad.

today he came to my work station and asked if i wanted him to put my name on the list for his going away party next week. he's leaving the UN. i'm not really sure if he's retiring or going away on a UN mission. i never got to that part. i just heard the phrase "going away" and i felt like time stopped. he must've thought i was stupid because i kept asking him to repeat what he said, as if i couldn't comprehend what he was saying. when really, i needed it to sink in. no more malcolm hellos to look forward to in the morning.

that actually made me sad.

on a related note, this place is making me an old fart. i like hanging out with the older people. they're wise and endearing (and surprisingly, a lot more updated about the latest trends than i'd expected). don't get me wrong, i'm still looking forward to the GA when all the interns and the younger individual contractors are around (haha), but they're just good to watch. it's the older people i like talking to.