Archive: September 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 | 9:30 am | Working Girl
I found a new job!
(Yay!)
On October 1, I’ll start as a medical editor at a local hospital, editing articles that researchers and physicians have written for submission to scholarly journals. I’ll also help with ad hoc public relations pieces and website content. I’ll get an ID badge. I’ll have a closet-sized office — with a door! — in a quiet wing of the hospital. I can’t wait.
See, at the end of last week, my life became very confusing. Last Tuesday marked two weeks after my second interview with the hospital, so I followed up with my contact. In her words, I was the “leading candidate” (woo!), but I couldn’t extract what that meant. The feedback and paperwork had to go through her boss and then to HR, so was I still going to get an offer? Or was there more decision-making at hand? I should hear in “one or two days,” she said.
Between that Tuesday and the following Monday, I had an interview at another company, received a job offer there the very next day, and stalled for more time in the hopes that the hospital would get back to me. During this whole job search process, I’ve been straining for even one interview at a time, but I was rather flustered at having two viable options. It’s a bit easier to decide whether one job is the right or wrong decision, but throwing in an alternative and evaluating whether a position is better or worse creates a completely different situation.
Much to my relief, I got a call from the hospital’s HR department with an offer on Monday. I talked it over with JG, made sure I understood the compensation and benefits package, asked some clarifying questions, and notified them of my acceptance yesterday. Upon hearing my decision, the HR contact said, “Oh, they’ll be ecstatic when they hear this!” I couldn’t help but glow a little bit.
After I called to decline my other job offer, I had to inform my manager of my resignation. I thought that I would give my notice with triumph ringing in my voice, but I was startled to find that I was trembling uncomfortably as I delivered the news. “I wanted to let you know that I received a job offer,” I said shakily, “and I’ve accepted it, so I’m giving my notice.” My manager was taken aback and said that it would be a huge loss for the team, which I appreciated. We decided to discuss my transition and communication plans the following day, after HR had been notified.
As I hung up the phone, I was struck with a strange sense of nostalgia for this job, my desk, and the comfortable niche I had carved. It’s odd — even though I’ve had really tough times, it’s my first job. It’s the only one I’ll ever have and I had just quit. I realized that telling my close co-workers the next day that I was leaving would be incredibly difficult. After almost 60 job applications, a handful of interviews, and more than my fair share of tearful workdays, I expected to feel exuberant when I was able to resign. Instead, I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders and a quiet sense of peace. It’s not jubilation, exactly, but I’ll take it.
I’m ready.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007 | 3:10 pm | Weekendery
JG spent the first half of this past weekend at Penn State because Notre Dame was coming to town. Leaving me all alone with the puppy, he spent Friday night at Mimi’s to rest up before he and his family spent nine hours tailgating. I kid you not. Several weeks earlier, I had elected not to go to the game because I didn’t think I could handle the intensity of 110,000 people screaming bloody murder against all that is Irish or Nittany Lion. However, my inclination to bow out became all the much stronger once the realization hit me that it was an endurance tailgating session:
RA: So, what time are you all heading to the stadium to set up?
JG: We’ll probably leave Mimi’s at 8.
RA: Isn’t she only an hour from State College?
JG: Yep.
RA: Isn’t it a night game?
JG: Well, it’s at 6.
RA: You’re going to tailgate for ten hours?!
JG: What’s wrong with that?
RA: What are you going to do for that long?
JG: Tailgate!
RA: Hon, that’s not a verb, it’s a location on a truck.
JG: You’re not coming, okay?
RA: What does tailgating entail, except eating?
JG: Well, there will be a lot of people there, so it’s like a party.
RA: Say there are twelve people. That’s like 2-3 hours of eating. Then what?
JG: You’re not coming, okay?
Sheesh. Fine, I get it that I don’t get it.
In lieu of hanging out in the trunk of a minivan for a full workday, my weekend was packed with all sorts of fun things, which means that I must describe them in blurbs.
Fun(gi) Festivities
Every year, during the weekend after Labor Day, Kennett Square throws its annual mushroom festival. Roads close, vendors roll in, and families come out in full force. When JG and I bought our house two years ago, we made a trip out for the festival before we moved. We kept looking at everything and whispering excitedly, “This will be our town!” As a result, the festival has been a nice tradition for us, so I was kind of disappointed that I ended up going solo this year. As I walked about a mile to the main street, admired the antique cars, and clapped for the marching band in the parade, I couldn’t help but smile. There’s something so charming, so small-town, so homey about the Mushroom Festival. It’s one of my favorite things to do every year and I love it so much. I spent the morning blissfully wandering between mushroom sculptures and mushroom potato chips before stopping by my favorite bookstore and then tucking in to a boat of fried mushrooms. It doesn’t get any better.
H-E-N-S, Hens, Hens, Hens!
JG and I have season tickets for University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hen football and the home opener is always against West Chester University. It’s not really a fair match-up because we’re in completely different divisions, but it has something to do with a traditional rivalry. What the heck — it’s an easy win for us, so I don’t care. In JG’s absence, I asked a girlfriend to come along with me, so we ordered Chinese, drove to the game, and enjoyed the lovely evening weather as we caught up on life. Delaware won and I yelled myself hoarse. Good times.
Remember How I Hate Surprises?
About a month ago, JG mysteriously told me to make sure that I didn’t have anything to do during the afternoon of September 9. “I’ll make sure I’m home from the Penn State game,” he assured me. “Just be ready to leave around 1.” I was dying to know what was going on. What do I wear? Where are we going? What’s the plan? I was told to dress as though I were going to a sporting event, that we would drive for an hour to get there, and could I please thaw out some of those frozen steaks? Uh, what? For a while, I was afraid that we were headed to an Eagles game or a volleyball tournament with the added bonus of overnight guests, which would have been very bad options for surprising me.
After an hour’s drive, we arrived at a church picnic. I furrowed my brow. This was it? A petting zoo and a moon bounce? The parking attendant handed JG a program for the day and it all became clear. One of our favorite bands, Caedmon’s Call, was playing at this picnic for free! What in the world? Their tour hardly ever lands in the mid-Atlantic and we could see them here for free?! Even better, JG had conspired with my best friend to meet us there and she emerged out of the (free) food line, grinning. Yay! We laid out blankets on the lawn and enjoyed a front-row view as we sang along with our favorite songs and acted as though we were on a first-name basis with the band. During a break in the action, I nudged JG and whispered, “You did good, kid.” I know he likes to surprise me — even if I hate it — so I try my best not to spoil that pleasure for him. Besides, like always, I end up really enjoying myself at the actual event. What can I say? I just like to know what’s going on.
Monday, September 10, 2007 | 12:05 pm | About
Here are the answers to the 200th Entry Scavenger Hunt! Hope you enjoyed poking around…
- - - - -
1. Who left my first comment?
Janet was my first commenter!
2. For which “holiday” did I bake custom-shaped cookies?
On Pi Day, I made pi-shaped cookies for JG’s students, which was my most-viewed Flickr photo until Ted came along.
3. What did the first picture on this site depict?
Per the request of Laurel and Alynda, I shared photos of the 21-Pun Salute my mom had sent me for my 21st birthday.
4. Much to my initial chagrin, what weekly pictorial feature arose out of peer pressure?
You can thank the masses for your weekly Dogarazzi fix.
5. According to the original plan, when were JG and I supposed to get a dog?
The original plan was to get a dog around 2009, after JG finished his master’s degree.
6. What is the origin of our dog’s name?
Ted is the main character from the television series, How I Met Your Mother. I take great pleasure in copying the show and saying as frequently as possible: “Haaaaaaaaaave you met Ted?”
7. Where did JG take me for a “surprise” birthday dinner this year?
Mm, The Melting Pot. And we’re going back next month!
8. In an assumption that left me appalled, about which food item did an acquaintance think I had in-depth knowledge?
Judging from my eyes, I ought to have known a lot about rice, of course.
9. How many celebrities did I spy during my trip to Los Angeles? Extra props for identification!
I saw two celebrities during my trip: Hilary Swank and Kathy Griffin.
10. Speaking of Los Angeles, how did I get home from the airport?
I had a white stretch limo all to myself.
11. According to me, kitchens are made for which activity?
Dancing, duh!
12. In an effort to curb household TV-watching, what weekly ritual did I institute?
Quiet Wednesdays, which is really a misnomer. It should be No TV Wednesdays…
13. If I had listed my top five things I was thankful for last Thanksgiving, excluding family, friends, and health, what would have been at the top of my list?
My KitchenAid mixer!
14. When I had to go to Connecticut unexpectedly, what did my train seatmate buy me at Penn Station in New York?
A glazed Krispy Kreme donut.
15. What do I think might be a good name for someone from Connecticut?
Connecticutian! As in, it rhymes with “execution.”
16. What special occasion did I invent as an excuse to show off our home?
The house-aversary! I highly recommend it.
17. What holds the top position in the “Nerdy Gifts I’ve Given JG” category?
A membership to the National Scrabble Association with an accompanying tree ornament.
18. What did JG and I give each other as a 2nd anniversary gift?
An ice cream machine that we used to make yummy tiramisú ice cream.
19. How did I fare in the family’s Wii bowling tournament at the beach?
That’s a trick question — I was a scorekeeper because we already had 16 people in the tournament bracket. Ahem.
20. How was I able to afford a dress from Saks Fifth Avenue?
I never thought that unused gift cards from the wedding would translate into a cute dress, but what do you know!
Saturday, September 8, 2007 | 9:11 am | Favorites, Free Time, Sunday Scribblings
For me, considering writing means considering reading because the two are complementary pieces of a continuous process. In growing as a writer, I try to read strong writing, which helps to inform what I write afterward. As a result, I read quite a lot.
When I’m asked for the title of my favorite book, I’m hard-pressed to narrow it down to just one. However, when asked for my best-loved author, the answer is quick: Madeleine L’Engle. She is probably best-known for A Wrinkle in Time, but over the past ten years, I’ve collected more than thirty of her books and I love revisiting them from time to time.
When I was in high school, I always carried a book with me (you know, just in case I had to wait somewhere) and it was usually a L’Engle novel like A House Like a Lotus or The Arm of the Starfish. A friend once asked me if I felt strange carrying around “a kid’s book,” but the thought that I was reading juvenile fiction hadn’t really fazed me. In the end, it was all good, fun reading with strange creatures and exotic locales like Portugal and Antarctica. Who cared where they stored them in bookstores? Madeleine L’Engle has been a constant reading source for me, holding my hand through the early years of novel-reading and then pacing me through more introspective memoirs. I learned to love the feeling of new words on my tongue and on my mind — tesseract, ontology, mitochondria, magnanimous — and relish the thrill of wrapping my head around the plot, emotional process, or thought journey I was following. She is my go-to for a comfort read and I’m still hunting down books for my collection. The satisfaction at the end of the pursuit is always worth it.
Partly for Janssen, but mostly for the general good, here are my most highly-recommended Madeleine L’Engle books, with explanations for my favorites. I’ve had this idea brewing for a while, but in light of her recent passing, I think now is a good time to share and remember. I already miss her, in a way.
- - - - -
A Swiftly Tilting Planet
I recommend the entire Time Quartet wholeheartedly. Sure, they’re youth fiction, but I dare any adult to grasp the full meaning of any of these books in the first try. A Swiftly Tilting Planet is my favorite of the series and I have no fewer than three copies of it on my shelves: the copy I grew up reading (can’t trash that), a copy of the reissue circa 2001 (ooh, pretty new covers), and the hardcover, signed copy that a friend bought me. So, clearly, the redundancy is justified. I really like the book’s theme of interdependence and the ancient rune as the structure for the chapters and the story. It never gets old for me, even after the sixth time through.
Two-Part Invention
In this memoir, L’Engle shares about her marriage and trials during her husband’s battle with cancer. Even though it sounds depressing, I love what she says about love. It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read about a real, strong, committed relationship. At one point, when JG and I were dating, I suggested that he read Two-Part Invention, which was a personal risk of sorts because I identified so deeply with it. I was half-afraid of my reaction if JG, the person I thought I was going to marry, didn’t like it at all. When JG returned the book to me, he was full of high praise, much to my relief. The best thing he said was, “I feel like I know you better after having read this book.”
- - - - -
#25, #27
Sunday Scribblings #76: Writing
[September 20 edit: A lovely tribute at Slate.]
