Categories: uncategorized
Date: 05 May 2010 12:23:21
I never knew what a blessing it would be to simplify my life...were I to start parking my car at the end of the driveway and begin entering/exiting my home into/from my rear kitchen door.
The kitchen is where the heart of the house is.
For the past few years I've been entering/exiting through the front door.
Then I may clutter the living room with bags, lunch box, purse, etc.
And in the wee hours of the morning when it's time to take out the recycling/trash, I think "This Is Too Far Away" or "That Is Too Difficult"
...and now, with the new routine of coming/going through the back kitchen door, a dark veil has been lifted - it's so much easier now to pack lunch, take out recycling, gather belongings for the day ahead... why did it take me so long??!!?
I have some quotes that I'll share in an upcoming post - it's my hope that some of them will be meaningful to you. And I shared some music that inspires me in the previous post if you haven't had a chance to check it out :)
So - THE INTERVIEW! One week ago today I had an interview just outside Washington DC. It went ok, but I've gotta tell you... at this point, I kind of hope they do NOT offer me the job.
What's up with that? Am I sure I wouldn't like the job? No. I'm not sure. But I think, were they to offer me a job, I may want to wiggle out of it. Why?
Well... the whole work:life balance again. They said at the interview that "everyone works at home" and I asked about staying in the office until my work was complete and they said some people do that too. But what this tells me is the job responsibilities cannot be met within the work day.. even after the learning curve (I'd expect to work long hours the first 3+ months or so as I learned the paperwork and figured out how to be more efficient).
I was also taken aback with the attitude ('holier than thou') I received during the interview. Yes it's an internationally known research institution. Yes, people come from all over to have their children evaluated/treated. Yes, they only interview candidates who pass a few levels of screening. Maybe the assistant director just didn't like me. Maybe it was a REALLY bad week. Maybe she didn't drink any coffee AND there were staffing problems that morning. Maybe she was stressed out b/c the accreditation people were there that week and things were a bit nuts. I don't know. Regardless, I don't know if I want another grad school experience.
I've already been to grad school.
Been there. Done that.
I want a work:life balance.
Yes, I want to learn new skills and expand my skill set... but I dont' want to be taken advantage of. I'm tired of giving & compromising without recognition or compensation. It would make a big difference if I received a stipend (of some amount) because I currently work in one of the most difficult, socioeconomically depressed areas of our city)
...because then someone would actually be saying "Hey - I know you're doing a job that no one wants in a very tough place - here, let me publicly and financially acknowledge that for you"
Living with my parents short term while starting a new job in a new city? Well, that's a whole different story... it's possible it may work. But I've lived on my own for quite some time and I'm not sure that would be good for my emotional health (as there was a reason i moved 900 miles away years ago) And maybe if I got the kind of job where they pay for my living accommodations, I could live in an apartment while rehabbing a house or something... so after I officially let go of this job offer (in my head/heart), I'll start thinking more creatively.
And my current house? It is still for sale. And, well...today (!) I'm thinking that I need to stay here until my house sells. Which may mean I need to take a temporary job assignment with a company who will train me for work in the medical setting. and if we all know it's a temporary thing, then me giving 4 weeks' notice because of a contract will be fine....or at least that's how it works out in my head.
So, the newest thing is I may rather do some "other" sort of job..so now my current project involves finding other establishments at which to apply. I'm seeking a better work-life balance, and have seen this phenomenon with friends over the years...it's a thought I've been pondering & mulling over in my brain, and it's just a thought -
and I apologize if this rubs you the wrong way, please don't take offense (but i would welcome your comments/discussion!):
When a professional single woman w/o children reaches her early-mid-late 30's, she may begin to reevaluate some things and want a different kind of balance. We're not wired like many men are, to work 40+ hours/week with limited social/emotional outlets (thus the work:life balance) ... Which is why I think some single women decide to have/adopt a baby in her 30's -- the women who didn't change her work schedule in her 20's by having children then - it's a socially acceptable reason to change to part-time or take a few years off work... I think we're genetically programmed this way...there are a lot of us out there, and if I were a sociologist I'd certainly have a thesis to research!