When It Rains, It Pours

The past few weeks have been pretty wild. I went from not having any idea what was happening with my immediate future with respect to actual employment (with the exception of part-time teaching ACT prep/tutoring) to having two great opportunities. I have chronicled a little bit of this in the past few months considering everything from the cessation of funding for my position in The Big E's lab, to constantly applying for any type of Science-related job (the number of responses I received was shocking and humbling - apparently I'm not a qualified Scientist?) to the possibility of taking on another degree as an MPH student at Georgia. Yes, I've been dealing with all of this while planning a wedding, searching for houses, and travelling. At the end of the day, when I consider complaining about the inconveniences of some of these things, I think about the fact that there are people in this world that don't get all of these wonderful opportunities. And through the last 2+ years, I've just tried to have a little faith that somehow something would work out.

And finally...it did! After finding out that UGA would be able to fund my MPH in the Fall, I am happy to say that I was offered (and accepted) a full-time position at Georgia State as a Laboratory Coordinator and I am so excited! I plan to keep on tutoring in the Fall as well (a.) because I love it, and b.) because it's some extra cash for the wedding/honeymoon!). So it'll be a busy time, but I'm really happy to have the opportunity. Plus I get to hang out at Georgia State and have coffee breaks with Mary and Emily!!!

There are lots of things on the agenda this week and weekend: I head into Philadelphia tomorrow night (yes, leaving Bryan to his own devices this weekend) for a quick trip. Thursday, I am get to hang out with Bridesmaid Lindsay to see her soon-to-debut-little girl's nursery. Friday, the M.O.B. is taking me to mecca - otherwise known as the Lenox Outlet. I am stoked for that. Then, Saturday morning is my wedding dress fitting!!! I can not wait!!! And I get to see my shoes and jewelry with the dress. I'm so excited! Saturday night, the trip culminates in a big celebration - Bachelorette Party #2! Just when I thought my liver had recovered, Bridesmaids Lindsay and Melissa have put together a fun plan for Saturday evening with my nearest and dearest from home.

Finally, in addition to having the best M.O.H. a girl could ask for (M.O.H. Nicole), I also happen to have the best fiance a girl could ask for. Of course we all know that Bryan is wonderful and very romantic, but in the past few days, he's been on his best behavior (I've been looking to see if he's broken something around the apartment and haven't found anything yet).

First of all, I could not have asked for a more supportive partner through this whole will-I-or-won't-I-have-a-job-drama. He was always reassuring that I would get something because any employer would be lucky to have me work for him/her, and if not, we'd be okay anyways. This reassurance probably saved me from many a breakdown. Then upon getting the job, I declared that a small fraction of my first paycheck would go towards purchasing the Black Crowes tickets I deprived myself of months ago when they went on-sale declaring that I could not in good conscience spend the money on tickets when we had a wedding to pay for (The show is in my FAVORITE venue of all time, the Tabernacle - not having those tickets caused actual, physical pain). (Note to the reader: I was getting ready to put a collection box at the wedding for a ticket fund or to set up some kind of PayPal account and ask for donations - I never miss a Black Crowes show in Atlanta but this time around, I strictly forbid myself from spending money I didn't have. I decided I wasn't above being a charity case in this instance). So there you have it, my first paycheck would purchase Black Crowes tickets...until Bryan informed me that I wasn't permitted to purchase them. Once I realized I wasn't being scolded for getting ready to spend money that isn't even in my account yet (that I haven't even worked the hours for yet!), I figured out that he had already gotten me tickets as a surprise (which, of course, I ruined). But I have been on a high for days about it!!! Finally, just minutes ago, Bryan called me to let me know he was heading home from work and instead of pizza tonight (for our Tuesday World Series of Poker-watching date night - more on this another blog), would I like some Chipotle? Nothing makes me happier than Bryan, Chipotle, watching poker, and the Black Crowes :-)

I will be reporting on the events in Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon after the fitting and then again on Sunday evening (or Monday) whenever the wine hangover wears off. Until then, have a great rest-of-the-week, everyone!!