Friday, October 22, 2004
Home is where your key fits in the lock
After living out a suitcase for two weeks straight, I relieved to be back at home amidst family, familiar furniture and boxes upon boxes of my packed belongings. This weekend marks the true beginning of my life as an adult, complete with bills and my own apartment and an entire new start without any financial help whatsoever. I'm estatic and anxious and oh-so-ready to be out on my own.
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Wednesday, October 06, 2004
The Morning After
As wrapping things up here in town has to happen quickly, my days have turned into marathons. Packing, sorting, saying goodbyes. I think I like it that way. Being so focused on completing the task ahead has allowed me to completely block the bigger picture, and all of its unpleasant emotional baggage, from view. That is until tonight.
The excitement that drove me through most of the day has given way to anxiety and fear and hundreds of questions. The fact that I have this great new job has yet to sink in but the realization that I'll be moving away from everything and everyone I know and love has nestled into a large knot in my stomach. I'm not doubting my decision to take this job, I love this job, but what if the rest of my new life doesn't fall into place as easily as this position? It won't take long to find out, I guess.
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The excitement that drove me through most of the day has given way to anxiety and fear and hundreds of questions. The fact that I have this great new job has yet to sink in but the realization that I'll be moving away from everything and everyone I know and love has nestled into a large knot in my stomach. I'm not doubting my decision to take this job, I love this job, but what if the rest of my new life doesn't fall into place as easily as this position? It won't take long to find out, I guess.
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Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Well, I've decided and I'm moving. Not in a month, not in two weeks, but this weekend. Even more exciting than the sudden move is the reason why. I GOT A JOB! A real job, a PR job, a job that uses my skills and degree and pays me an unbelievable sum to do so.
They called on Thursday and wanted a phone interview the following afternoon. I, of course, agreed and that interview obviously went well because they called me in for a sit-down discussion on Monday. So, after a weekend of sweating bullets and biting nails, I made my way over to their office and gave it my all. Thirty minutes later, I walked back out, took a drug test and confidently drove back to await their call. Hour after hour, I waited. I cried, I called every person I could think of, I made every excuse in the book, and then I gave up. But then, at 7:45 pm, the phone rang and the voices on the other end finally asked if I would agree to meet again the next day. I couldn't say no, their offer was too good, so I said yes and then went to the store to buy new shoes. So this morning I rose bright and early, slapped on my "I can do this" face, and drove the 90 minutes back to their office. They had two questions. The dicussion took 20 minutes and then I was back in the car. I think I spent more time waiting in the lobby than I did in the hot seat. Before leaving they told me to expect a phone call sometime between then and midday Wednesday. In the car again, this time not so confident, I played every possible senario in my head, accepting with professional enthusiasm and taking the bad news with grace and understanding. Regardless of the outcome, I had prepared myself for a long wait. That was until 3:30. I was still in the car when I got the call. "Congratulations," they said, "the job is yours. You earned it and we are excited to have you on our team. Oh, and can you be here by Monday?" The professional enthusiasm gave way immediately to girly squeals and when I caught my breath I assured them that one way or another I would be there by the start of next week.
So, I'm moving. Not in a month, not in two weeks, but this weekend. To a town where I've never lived, to a place with few friendly faces, to a home filled with amazing opportunity and a clean slate. Ready or not, Jacksonville, here I come.
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They called on Thursday and wanted a phone interview the following afternoon. I, of course, agreed and that interview obviously went well because they called me in for a sit-down discussion on Monday. So, after a weekend of sweating bullets and biting nails, I made my way over to their office and gave it my all. Thirty minutes later, I walked back out, took a drug test and confidently drove back to await their call. Hour after hour, I waited. I cried, I called every person I could think of, I made every excuse in the book, and then I gave up. But then, at 7:45 pm, the phone rang and the voices on the other end finally asked if I would agree to meet again the next day. I couldn't say no, their offer was too good, so I said yes and then went to the store to buy new shoes. So this morning I rose bright and early, slapped on my "I can do this" face, and drove the 90 minutes back to their office. They had two questions. The dicussion took 20 minutes and then I was back in the car. I think I spent more time waiting in the lobby than I did in the hot seat. Before leaving they told me to expect a phone call sometime between then and midday Wednesday. In the car again, this time not so confident, I played every possible senario in my head, accepting with professional enthusiasm and taking the bad news with grace and understanding. Regardless of the outcome, I had prepared myself for a long wait. That was until 3:30. I was still in the car when I got the call. "Congratulations," they said, "the job is yours. You earned it and we are excited to have you on our team. Oh, and can you be here by Monday?" The professional enthusiasm gave way immediately to girly squeals and when I caught my breath I assured them that one way or another I would be there by the start of next week.
So, I'm moving. Not in a month, not in two weeks, but this weekend. To a town where I've never lived, to a place with few friendly faces, to a home filled with amazing opportunity and a clean slate. Ready or not, Jacksonville, here I come.
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