And... I'm employed. :)

[thrihyrne]

A couple of weeks ago I was chatting with my NZ potential beau, lamenting my job search and how difficult it was. When I mentioned our very unhappy 10% unemployment rate, in his innately positive way he replied, "Well, that means that 90% are employed." And now I'll be joining that percentage! I will have a long commute, both ways, and the timing of the buses may involve a lot of waiting (my shift hours will be approximately 10-7 which is great for my body clock, but the buses in this area of suburbia don't run as often after 6 p.m.). That said, I can read/write/knit/listen to audiobooks going and coming, so I don't consider it wasted time. The company is young (so I'm not 'competing' with people who have been there for years) and doing well and expanding, so I may well be able to move from inbound customer service perhaps to training or something else over time. It's the first time I've worked a 40 hour week since I was at Rosetta Stone, before I moved to Portland the first time. This will definitely be a change, both the commute (and not driving my own car) and the income. It's not paying what I'm worth, and the benefits aren't what a university would offer, but it's an okay start and there's room for raises. I'm pretty excited to get on board with a young company, and I'm very excited at the thought of paying off my limited credit card debt and saving up for a trip to the South Pacific. :) And investing a pair of insulated, waterproof shoes. It's going to be a long, wet winter and I'll be doing my share of walking outside. My running shoes just don't cut it. :P

Comments

[grrlpup]

Congratulations!! Even if the buses are less frequent at those hours, they're probably also less crowded, which for me makes a huge difference.

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

That's a very good point. I've also done some research about approaching this place from a different angle and taking the WES to the MAX. I'm going to try that going home on Monday and see how it works.

[abigail89.livejournal.com]

YAY! I hope this is a good fit for you. *hugs*

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!! I'll admit I had really hoped to find my way into a position at a university, but I'd also told the universe that I would be open to anything that was sent my way. It's good to shake up your expectations from time to time. ((hugs))

[telperion1.livejournal.com]

Congrats! I hope it works out well, and wish you a low-stress transition. As for the bus, just bring a jacket and a good book. I get my best reading done waiting for buses.

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I suspect I'll get loads done with my new commute, actually- no other distractions from writing/reading/knitting/audio books. I've definitely noticed that my muse is quite happy when I get on the bus or train. ;)

[mrsquizzical.livejournal.com]

that's great news! for me commuting would be a blissful time of no responsibilities. :P but i imagine the grind of it is a little different to the fantasy. :P

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

It will take a bit of getting used to, I suspect, but I see it as productive time. And the part where I don't have to drive and deal with traffic or whatever? Fabulous.

[espresso-addict.livejournal.com]

Fantastic! Congratulations!

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Many thanks!! I'll feel good getting back into more of a routine again.

[winnett.livejournal.com]

Awesome! Congratulations!!! We need to go out for some celebratory tea!

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Thanks much!! Yes, celebratory tea- though I'll probably go for coffee. Or maybe hot chocolate. ;) Let me get in your calendar for some point in the future, maybe post-holidays?

[llembas.livejournal.com]

YAY!!! This is great news! :-) *HUGS*

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty stoked! Today was the first day and I think they'll have me taking applications by Wednesday at the latest. :P They do get quite busy and have two people going on maternity leave. Fiscally and people-wise, I'm quite happy!!

[cim-halfling.livejournal.com]

Awesome and congrats! I bought my daughter a very cute pair of plaid cold weather boots on Zappos. Purple Plaid. Free shipping. So worth it!

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It was great to be on Skype with you when it happened, or close enough, time-wise. ;) Purple plaid cold weather boots with free shipping? I am so there!!!