Good News and Goodbye

I will be saying goodbye for a while, as Bob and I take off for Maine tomorrow for three weeks (where, if all goes as planned, I will get to meet up with Dorr and Hobs for a little hiking -- after all, I named Dorr after Mount Dorr in Acadia National Park -- and exploring), and I will have very limited Internet access. I may be able to sneak in a blog post or two, but don't count on it.

Meanwhile, I have some (other) good news (it's not as though going to Maine for 3 weeks isn't good news). I got a new job. I have to admit that, although quite thrilled to have got it, I'm feeling a bit guilty. I know that in this economy, there are many out there who are in desperate need of a job and who have been trying for months and months to secure one with no luck, people who have children to feed or college tuitions to pay. Meanwhile, here comes Emily, not looking for a job, not knowing what sort of job to pursue, just biding her time for a while, and a job (quite literally) falls in her lap.

What happened is a former colleague of mine recently lost one of the editors he supervises. He sent me an email telling me so and asking if I were interested in applying. Not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, I decided to explore further and see if it did interest me. It turns out that the answer was "yes." So, I went through the whole application process, bickered a bit over salary and vacation (because I could afford to, a luxury I've never had in the past when applying for jobs, because, well, in the past, I hadn't quite learned what I've learned since being laid off this year, which has given me the chance to figure out what's important to me and what I feel my own self worth is).

I haven't signed the papers yet, so I guess it isn't really official. However, I'm assuming, given my soon-to-be-boss's reaction, that it's pretty "official." I'll be starting this new job Labor Day week, after my long, restful vacation. Perfect.

I will no longer be a supervisor, which is kind of sad (especially since, for some reason, this year, I've had four people I formerly supervised tell me I was the best boss they ever had), but I'm excited about the subject area and working with academics again. I'll be acquiring books on multicultural and minority studies. So, any of you want to write a book for me? (Hint, hint, Litlove: motherhood around the world.)

Meanwhile, do not worry. I will continue to make my novel my #1 priority (I'll be working to live not living to work). Besides, I can't help but do so. My characters absolutely wouldn't let me.

Have a great three weeks, everyone! If you think of me, think of me high atop a mountain somewhere eating delicious, fresh-picked blueberries.