Augh!

OK, as someone who loves amusement parks (and has free tickets to Busch Gardens currently) this FREAKS ME OUT.

*shudder*

Last Friday afternoon I had my first BIG MEETING here at my new job at my fine, elite, select school I really enjoy working at. It was with the Provost here and for those who aren't sure what that means, it's big cheese. Basically, second in command at the whole school. Then, this morning I met with not only said Provost, but also THE PRESIDENT OF THE SCHOOL. And, to top it off, Friday there is a meeting about the project I've been working on that involves them at the state education level, they will both be there and I get to go to that too!

For those not immersed in institutional culture, this is a huge deal for me. In 7 years at a certain very large Illinois university, five of them spent in an office that reported pretty much directly to the same head honchos there, I never got to be part of a working meeting with either the Provost or the President. Sure, I think I saw them once presenting at a board of trustees meeting, but it had nothing to do with me and I was just there watching.

I am so very excited to feel like I have reached a new phase of my professional life. I really enjoy my job here, I get recognition like this for my work and it's really, really cool to feel valued by essentially the most important individuals at this school. My career path has been underway for about ten years now, but it's only now that I really feel like I might have an idea where the next bend in the road of it leads me.

Very, very cool.

Book Report- Punk Rock Dad

I read this whole book last night after work, beginning to end. It's the best book I've read in awhile. For those of us still reluctant to give up our red striped hair, chuck taylors, punk tshirts and fighting the man in favor of the nine to five, soccer mom world, it's a hilarious look at the changes we all go through with our kids entering our lives, no matter what our background or belief systems. In addition, dude is freaking hilarious (I laughed out loud many times) and cute to boot.

One week from now I will be heading back to my house in Illinois to do the final packing for my move. The movers will be there next Thursday. I am taking the long, scenic, friend-filled way back, stopping in PA Saturday night for an outdoor concert with family and friends, then heading to an old friend's house Sunday night before actually getting to the house Monday. It will be a nice trip I think and should also break up the driving to a more reasonable schedule.

I'm ready to live my life fully here in my new home. This is MY world, MY safe place and I know, for the first time in years, what my life needs to be like and about. I know what I want. I know who I am and I'm okay with it. I know what I expect of others. It will be new, fresh, positive and most of all, mine.

This morning my boss returned from a conference and saw my hair for the first time. We were talking over some stuff we're working on and he stops and says "did you get your hair done differently?". I said yes and he said he really liked it and it looked nice. I was just floored that he even noticed (men, you know). I am so lucky to have a boss who actually is nice and friendly and "real".

Getting things in order for my real move here. The plan is the moving van will be loaded June 28th and stuff should get here sometime the next week. I'm having to take a week off work to do it and my boss told me that was not only fine, but I could "work from home" some of the days since I don't have much vacation built up yet. Totally friggin' awesome guy. I found a tiny house to rent but it's fine for what we need, and after living in a rented room in a condo for a couple months I'm extremely excited to be getting my own personal space back. My roommate is awesome here but I'm ready to call somewhere home.