Last Day of Work

It’s weird.  I’ve had this blog the entire time that I’ve held this job (actually longer than I’ve had this job).

Today is my last day at my current position.  In a way, I’m going to miss it, but in another way, I’m not.  It’s been a good two years and I think I’ve accomplished a good number of things and learned a few new skills.  But, yes, of course I’m sorry to be losing a full time job.  I had hoped to develop this position into a permanent position, but due to federal budget cuts, this was not meant to be.  There just aren’t any jobs that are open in the research (scientific) wing of the agency and jobs are being cut and positions deleted.  It’s just not the right time to be entering the agency workforce.

But, that’s ok.  I’m keeping a positive attitude and I know that there’s something out there just around the corner.  One of these days (hopefully soon), I’ll find a position where I can stay for a long time.  That’s what I’m really looking for, some semblance of permanence.  I’m sick of taking on a position and having to look for something new within 1 or 2 years.  I want to find something where I can stay long term and make a great contribution.  I know that position is out there, I just need to find it.

(Oh, and the part of the job I’m not going to miss?  My hour long commute to the other side of Philly every morning and evening!)

In the meantime, I’m going to be pounding the pavement (so to speak as it’s the internet pavement), applying for things that I think will work well.

I also have that special package that we’re looking forward to receiving within the next month and a half – I’m sure that will help keep me busy, as well as motivate me to quickly find a new position.

As the World Turns….

I haven’t written in a while and that’s because there have been many things going on in our world.  John’s been away, a lot.  Anywhere exotic?  Only if you consider Norfolk, Va, exotic.  Personally, I don’t think that he does.  We joke that they should just rent him an apartment down there.  

Along with John’s travels, we’ve also had two blizzards within a week of each other.  The first one started on Friday, the 5th, of February, while the second started on Tuesday, the 9th.  I’ve placed a bunch of pictures of the blizzards on our photo site, but here are a few for the blog:

John attempting to shovel out our driveway on 2/6/2010

I used a yard stick to measure the snow fall. This was taken on 2/7/2010

 

I’ve lived in Jersey for 10 years now.  This is the most snow that we’ve since I’ve been here.  In fact, this is the snowiest winter in Philadelphia history!  I tried to stay inside for most of the storm.  What did I do for most of the storm?  Cooked.  John and I had some great food – barbecue ribs, chicken pot pie, spaghetti with bolognese sauce, southern chicken with gravy and lots of good breakfasts.  What do the cats like to do while the snow falls outside?  I’ll let the picture speak for itself.

Sophie lounging on the family room couch.

Valentine’s Day weekend fell after the second of the blizzards.  We’d both had several rough weeks, so John suggested going out to dinner on the 12th.  We went to a restaurant that I’ve been wanting to try for a while, 10 Arts by Eric Ripert.  Why is it called 10 Arts?  Because it is located at 10 Avenue of the Arts (otherwise known as Broad St).  I’m not going to acknowledge how long it took me to figure that out.  The restaurant is set up in the lobby of the Ritz Carlton, across from City Hall, right in the center of downtown.  Normally, it would take us 15-20 minutes, tops, to get to a parking lot and into the restaurant.  Because of all of the snow that hadn’t been removed from the streets, it took us over an hour.  I’ve never seen the city so gridlocked, and this was at 7:30 at night!  Why did we want to eat at 10 Arts?  Because I am a HUGE fan of Top Chef and Jen Carroll , who came in 4th last season is the Chef de Cuisine.  

We had a lovely dinner, once we got there.  I started with corn chowder, had trout for dinner, then a mini cupcake trio for desert.  John had tuna tartare, rabbit, and bread pudding.  He also had several drinks (did I mention that it had been a rough week?).

This past week brought a major change to our household.  On Friday, I was left go from my position as a staff scientist at Coriell.  The company was asking for concessions that would be almost impossible for me to make.  Unfortunately I now have to join the millions of Americans that are looking for a new job.  I’m hoping that I don’t have too much difficulty finding a new job.  While I’ve been looking at the listings, it appears that I was drastically underpaid.  I knew I wasn’t making much money, but I had no idea how much below par I was making.  I’ve been applying for jobs that I am overqualified for but the positions pay at least double what I’ve been making.  John and I are hoping that this is the start of better things for me careerwise.  Only time will tell.  

In the meantime, I am still working at Temple and Rowan in the evenings, but my days have become free.  What is a girl to do with all of the free time?  This was a no brainer.  Along with job searching everyday, my plan is to begin organizing the house.  This is something that we’ve been wanting to do for several years now but we haven’t had the time.  Guess that’s not a problem now.  I’m going to start with the office on Tuesday and I’ll provide lots of pictures so that you can monitor the changes.