So, the exciting news I promised. Well, first, I've decided to defer from uni for the semester. That's not actually the exciting news, but I am pretty happy about it. After more weeks of sickness than health so far this semester, I was just about caught up on all the reading (but not quite all the writing) when I got appendicitis. While I probably *could* catch up, I don't think I could really do the assignments justice at this point. And to tell you the truth, I just can't face the stress of trying right now.
True, I am still somewhat dizzy and lightheaded on and off during the day (my GP, who I saw today, tells me this is normal) and sleeping like hell, so maybe it is not surprising that I don't feel like facing that stress right now, but, well, I really don't think I'm going to feel like it next week either.
This is a load off my mind, and also means I can go back to working on my novel. I'm not without mixed feelings about this - I was really enjoying the subject (Fiction writing B) and I really like some of the other people in the group who I got to know a little over the last semester, whereas when I come to do it again it will be a whole different group. Plus if I do end up getting pregnant sometime soon I will be deferring again for second semester next year (if not first) so won't be able to get back to this subject until second semester 2007. That's a long way away. And while I'm enjoying working on the novel, I really enjoy the more literary/experimental writing that this semester has been about. On the other hand, it will be nice to focus on the novel.
And, the lack of deadlines for a while will be really nice.
Plus, there's my exciting news. I got the job! Now, I realise this would come across as more exciting had I ever mentioned that I applied for a new job back in early-mid July. It's in a different (way more interesting, to me) department, in a job where I get to do writing and structural editing of articles again. There's actually someone - someone else - who will be paid to proofread the things I write. This is particularly good because in my current job, which I've been in since about March, I have proved to not only find copy-editing/proofing incredibly boring, but to be less than fabulous at it.
And, as if all that wasn't good enough, this is a permanent part-time position. So, no more wrangling over my hours every six months. That alone would have been enough to make me apply for it, had it been only ever so vaguely in my area of expertise. But the fact that it is directly in my line of work, with way more interesting content than I have had to work with in recent years, and part-time? Almost unbelievable.
So, I applied. Then when I was really sick a few weeks ago they called and asked to interview me. Fabulous. The day of the interview came and I was mostly better, but not quite. It was my first day back at work. Well, the interview went okay, but not great, and at that point I pretty much told myself to forget about it.
But, right when I was feeling really crappy after appendicitis, they called and offered me the job. Yippee. I am so outa that proofreading job.
The only downside is it's a couple more hours than I do now - that's not much, and still several less than my current job was set to rise to in January, but I think it will mean doing four short days instead of three long ones. My schedule is already so tight (having to get home in time for Chris to see his Rolfing clients), I just can't see how I can fit any more into it on those days. Which means my midweek writing day becomes a midweek working day. But see, that just confirms the rightness of my decision to defer. And I really don't mind so much, because I will still have Sunday writing time (and other bits and pieces fitted in here and there) and my work days will suddenly all be relatively short. Nice. And two and a half extra hours/week means slightly more money, which is never bad.
Yep, things are looking up. (Now, someone just tell that to the fertility gods...)
