Leavetakings

YESTERDAY, Ms. C moved out of Duluth to join her sister in St. Cloud, Minnesota. There she will continue her job search and maybe look for a part-time job. It's a sad time for good-byes. Now all three of us are geographically apart. Ms. W in Duluth, Ms. C in St. Cloud and I in Las Vegas, en route to Boulder, Colorado.

Just last night I was also in the company of international students, my co-workers at the UNLV Starbucks branch. There was H. from Taiwan, E. from Korea and two Americans, M and D who might as well be international students because both have spent a significant amount of time abroad. This was my second food outing with new friends in Las Vegas and I am a little sad that just when I am making new friends again, I have to go.

When I left the Philippines three years ago for graduate studies, I was burnt out from working in the same company for 11 years. I was also a bit miffed that, although I worked in media, I did not feel that I was meeting enough new people. Places became too familiar, old routes tired.

Here in the United States I have met so many friends who could be good friends for life. But sometimes they move away, and in the recent months, it is I who have had to move elsewhere. I certainly got what I wished for. New places and new faces. But the desire to stay put (for now) is there once again.

When friends leave, they take a piece of us with them and vice versa. Perhaps that is why these events are so bittersweet. There is a pause and an absence, but there is also the possibility and hope of meeting again.

A job offer and an acceptance

A FEW days ago I got offered the job in Boulder, Co and a salary higher than what I thought the organization was capable of offering me. I wanted to say yes immediately, but I asked to think about it overnight. I wanted to be sure of my decision although it was generally a resounding yes.

So many things came together in this job opportunity. First of all, I like the job itself. It has a strong publications component, something I am totally comfortable with and a significant web component which is something I can competently do but I want to be better at. It's work that combined my two fields: communications and environmental education. It has a graphic design component, something I have always been good at in relation to publications.

The job also places me within a team, particularly a scientific team. This is something I have always been drawn to and I'm glad I've got this chance to work with world-class scientists doing world-class research. I've also realized that I like being in a team (job-wise) and that the solo operator quality of the SoCal job offer did not at all appeal to me. My other pursuits already are extremely solitary--writing and fine art photography--that I need to be in a community for work.

Best of all, I love the quality of life in Boulder and in Denver. My future officemates bike to work and even park their bikes in their offices. What a dream for a cycling buff like me! Boulder is like the American Amsterdam, bicycle-wise. It also seems to me that the workplace is a good one. Seems like the people I've met are down-to-earth and kind.

And so, the next day, I called my future boss to accept the job offer. Nothing is of course final until I receive the written offer and sign on the dotted line. But I have a feeling that this is the end of my job search for now.

I am currently preparing to move to Boulder, CO and I'm very excited. After I've settled and adjusted to my new job, I'd like to be able to help out Ms. C and Ms. W their job searches and hopefully other international students too.

The Date

OH, I guess I owe a post about meeting Mr. I for the first time. Here's what I have to say: He looks better than his photos, is such a nice guy and a perfect gentleman. Our coffee date later segued into a walk which segued into dinner at a nice sushi restaurant. I definitely want to get to know him better. But this aspect hinges on location.

I could write more, I guess, but I'll just keep some details private ;) I used to think there weren't too many quality men around for women of my age and geeky disposition. Maybe I'm wrong, because on Sunday night I spent a wonderful evening with a wonderful guy.

The Waiting Begins for Ms. N and Ms. C

STILL here at Boulder. Interview finished. It wasn't bad. I'm hopeful they will pick me, but you never know about these things really. So I will now detach, write my thank you cards and move on to the next applications. Will also finally read the Harry Potter book. I hope it's arrived in Las Vegas from my friend in LA.

Sitting here at a Boulder cafe. I am so pooped. Have 2 hours to kill. But all I want to do is find a spot to park and nap for a while. Oh, and there's nothing like a serious job interview to clear one's head of cute boy thoughts. I'm trying to resurrect dreamy notions right now but can't. I just want to sleep a dreamless sleep.

****

In other news, Ms. C is also waiting for the results of her onsite interview at Rochester. I was at a very noisy Thai food place a while ago when we talked on the phone. She'll know by the end of business day Minnesota time. I hope she gets it! Ms. C is also wrapping up her affairs in Duluth and will be moving on to St. Cloud soon.

Ms. W on the other hand is enjoying her new place and will be starting her last semester in a couple of weeks. So many changes and leavetakings. Who knows how different next week will be for all of us.

Ms. N: An Interview and a Date

MAYBE a first date and a job interview all in the same trip isn't such a good idea. I'm pretty excited about meeting, er, Mr. I, but my mind is so exclusively on my job interview right that I'm afraid I might be quite boring during my coffee date.

This is my second Asian date. After breaking up with a Canuck, I'm really in no mood to expend any energy to bridge that cultural gap when dating a white guy. Recall that date with fellow-Filipino "Robin". It felt easy and comfortable. And having common experiences and places to talk about just felt so good. I felt like a crack addict getting some of the stuff after three years of abstinence. Not that I've have ever been a crack addict, FYI. But then it was three years of abstinence from Filipino culture and Filipino company. "Robin" was an oasis. Never mind that it seemed we played on the same team. It was wonderful while it lasted.

So now we move on to Vietnam. Hmmm, don't really know much about the country other than the war, the soup and Lea Salonga's musical. But then again, my date is Vietnamese-American. Probably more American because he grew up in the US. After this date, I'm going to take a break and let my online dating profile remain inactive. My interest in meeting new people is stronger than ever. But my interest in romance has waned...for now.

As for the interview, I must remember not to tell any jokes and not to mention the dogeaters.

Just for the sake of posting...

Today, it really feels like I'm finally done with UMD. Why? Because today I finally return my office keys to the department. And as I walked back to the bus stop, I decided to take the long way. Passing some classrooms that I've taught in or took class at. Most of them are locked since it's summer, so I mostly just peaked through the window. There was one auditorium class that I really liked but the classroom was totally dark and I couldn't see a thing. Then I passed the corridor that was closed mostly through last year because of renovation. It was finally done and it looked great. Kinda looked out of place though...

And I also took a picture of the big chewing gum machine in front of the cafeteria that I walk by every time I enter or leave campus. I rarely see anybody putting a coin through it. I wonder if they've refilled it since it was first 'planted' there...

And finally here is where I get off the bus every morning (I mean mornings when I have to be on campus ^-^).

You are not through to the next round

Well, for the San Francisco job, that is. Also got a rejection letter for a job in Oregon. Did I ever mention that looking for jobs is like riding an emotional roller coaster?

Still, I still feel better having turned down the SoCal job. No regrets.

And I know what went wrong in the San Francisco one. I told a joke! Man....