Monday, April 20, 2009

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.

39 comments:

Zach said...

:-)

You are going to do great at the new job! I can't believe that there will now be days when you get up before me!

Amy - the gazelle said...

Again - many congratulations! That is so exciting (and I'm so glad we could give you the reaction you so richly deserved when you broke the news the other night).

I am going to share your post with Brad, because I think he is starting to feel a little depressed about his state of unemployment.

Good luck tomorrow!

Aron said...

CONGRATSSSSSSSSS :) I was wondering if this was the big news you were hinting too!!!

Have a great first day and you are going to do great!!!

Anonymous said...

I am so happy for you. What wonderful news. Good luck tomorrow! Congratulations.

Cindy said...

yay!!! that's great news!! have a great first day of work wearing one of your cute work outfits (no such thing as buying too much clothing)!

Susan said...

Congrats congrats congrats!! From one job seeker to another, that is SO exciting!

Once you get used to the earlier mornings, I'm sure it will be nice to have long afternoons!

Have an AWESOME first day!

ShirleyPerly said...

Jen, that is WONDERFUL news!!!

Sounds like a great job and nice hours too. Indeed, you don't appreciate something until it's gone. I'm glad, though, the change brought you to a place you love. You defintiely sound quite happy there. Congrats!

Unknown said...

That is great news! Congratulations!

Kim said...

what a fantastic week you're having! congratulations again!!!

Chloe said...

Whoohoo! Congrats on the new job! That is so exciting!

And I LOVE Portland as well - what an amazing city with so many wonderful things to do!! Ahh..if I didn't live on the beach, I'd be right there!! :)

Mir said...

I'm so happy for you!! A new PR and a new job!! The hours sound wonderful.

Amy said...

CONGRATS, CONGRATS, CONGRATS! That is so exciting and wonderful. Good for you - you deserve it.

Good luck on your first day :)

Sarah said...

Oh my gosh! I'm so excited about your hours! And the job! And the check! And the new clothes!! I honestly can't think of a better person to get a job right now! YEAH!! I'll definitely be thinking about you tomorrow!

miss petite america said...

A HUGE HEARTY CONGRATS!!!!

the bf is in the unemployed boat now and hope we can find the same luck you did!

jb said...

congrats! i got laid off in late march. i have a lot of life maintenance to do, lots of goals to puruse, and i have a lot of ultras i want to run, but i am not psyched for unemployment in this market. good for you for making it to the other side!
and early mornings are awesome! i promise :)

Dragonfly on the Water said...

All things happen for a reason & you did well with "going with the flow". Have fun & smile alot on your new job. I Love Mornings!

GB said...

What a relief for you!!! I thought maybe you were going to say you were both moving back to California. Enjoy the new job and take advantage of those awesome work hours!

Billy said...

Fantastic news girl - especially in this current climate. Good luck!

Ewen said...

Woohoo (again)! That's brightened my day - it's right up there with the news that you almost beat me in the 10k ;)

Seriously though, you deserve it, and I'm sure you'll be a fantastic an much appreciated employee.

Excellent hours too - perfect for training!

Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...

Awesome News Jen....Congrats!!!

ummm yikes on the early am start but u will adjust and it will be worth so u can deeply adore that paycheck & invest in the more important things, like workout gear --LOL

John said...

Congrats, Jen! That's gotta be a huge relief for you, and it says a lot that you two made it through that period without the problems that might effect other couples in a similar situation. Time to celebrate!

Alisa said...

Yay!!!!!!!!!

I loved being able to screech at the bar the other night (good thing it was already loud in there).

Can't wait to hear all about your new job! I love starting new jobs, always feels so fresh and new and exciting.

Amy said...

I'm thrilled to hear the news! Congrat-u-fing-lations! You are so positive about things and I know that helped in the long-run. I can't wait to hear all about it (and your love for Portland). And, might I say, I'm jealous of the hours. Cheers to you (enter glass of wine here).

Lotusphx said...

Have a wonderful day!! I am thinking of you :)

Marathon Maritza said...

You got a job!!!!!!!1

*running man* *cabbage patch* *macarena* *herky* *jazz hands*

Hope you had a great first day! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Anonymous said...

Congrats! And what great hours-- that is perfect!

Petraruns said...

WOWEE WOW WOW! That is great news! Your perseverance paid off well done! I can't believe how much you managed to gain out of your unemployment period though - that's so good to know going into the future that you two were able to deal with the situation and, in fact, use it as a springboard towards a better life rather than letting it get you down. This is just fabulous news. Were I not on the wagon right now I'd drink a glass to you. Enjoy!

melinda said...

woooo hooo!!! congratulations! that is awesome, i am so happy for you!

Arcane said...

congratulations!

Kelly said...

Yay! Enjoy the 7-3:30. That 7am comes really early. I'm so happy for you!

KK said...

Hip Hip hoo fucking ray! I am soooooooooooooo happy for you. I must say you have handled these last 10 months extremely gracefully: you never once let on about what a struggle it was (must have been ) and I can't say that most people would have reacted that way Including and especially me). You are a champ!

Good luck on your first day, can't wait to hear details.

SavvyFitChica said...

OMG! CONGRATULATIONS!

I am so happy for you! It sounds like something you want, and that's why I'm happy. If you didn't want to work and wanted to only train 100% of your day, I would have been happy for you for that decision too.

I know exactly what you mean though about taking time off for an extended period of time. It's pure bliss for the first week or two and then it gets old. I'm glad you stayed productive during your "time off."

Congrats again Jen!

Beth said...

Congrats Jen! Time off sounds so great in theory but when its forced on you instead of a decision you make, I'm sure that makes things a lot different.

Gotta Run..... said...

CONGRATS!!!!! That is AWESOME news!! You will love those hours. it is exactly what I work and allows me to fit in a lot of training during the week.

I am super thrilled for you!! Can you send some good vibes our way for Scott.

Danielle said...

Congrats Jen! How very exciting for you!!

Michele said...

awesome, great news.
Did you already turn in your vacation time request for ironman???

kristen said...

So awesome. Good for you. I am very excited and happy for you. Your going to do great at it - whatever 'it' is ;)

Nitmos said...

Congratulations! Sounds like you found a job you enjoy on top of it. Continued success...

Donald said...

Great news, Jen. You've definitely landed well on your feet in Oregon, and the job situation appears perfect. Good luck to you with it.