Big News

I have been kind of hinting at some exciting news and a lot of people already know what it is, so here it is.

Drumroll please!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I got a job.

I GOT A MOTHERF-ING JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I start tomorrow. It was a total whirlwind- I had a phone interview a couple of weeks ago, then an in-person interview last week and a job offer a day later. I would have shared the news earlier but with Zach's birthday and the race I already had much to post about. But there it is! Hooray!

It's going to be a pretty interesting job I think too. I will be analyzing property maps for a title insurance company. I have no idea what that exactly involves, but I know it involves maps, which I adore, and it involves a paycheck, which I deeply, deeply adore.

Another really cool thing about the job is that the hours are 7:00-3:30 which means I'll have long afternoons and evenings to do my training. Those are going to be some rough mornings at first but it'll be worth it.


So, I could probably write a book about things I've discovered about myself while being unemployed... ok it would be a short and boring book, but it would be a long and boring post, so I'm going to try to condense some main points.

Some reflections and statistics on unemployment:

I was unemployed for almost exactly 10 months.

I applied for exactly 50 jobs. I had only three interviews.

I received unemployment money from the CA government the whole time and will feel ok about paying taxes for a good long time.

Being laid off lead to Zach and I making the enormous decision to leave California and start over in a brand new city. I love it here and feel it was truly the right decision. I could write another short book/long post about how much I love Portland, but I'll chip away at that concept in every post for the rest of my life I'm sure.

Everyone in my life was wholly supportive of my situation and nothing but encouraging. I am surrounded by incredibly generous and kind people. Zach especially. He is such a great husband and friend.

I was never that career-motivated but I realize now the value of having a job. One of those things you don't really appreciate till it's gone. It gives you a sense of purpose, a reason to get up in the morning. It gives you responsibility and a sense of accomplishment. It gives you a group of peers and a chance to meet people. It gives you a paycheck.

Time "off" is only really fun for a few weeks. Then it gets boring. All the running, biking, swimming, volunteering, French studying, cleaning, etc... doesn't make for a very full day. I never really got depressed, but man was I bored.



Anyway, I know it's going to be a big adjustment, but I'm ready. I'm so ready! I bought probably way more new clothes than I realistically need, but whatever. YAY!!! I will definitely update after my first day (or week, we'll see) and let you all know how it goes. Thanks so much for being so supportive all this time.