I feel a little lighter....

Not because I've been going to the gym (I've been slacking for the last 2 weeks), but because in exactly 8 days (counting weekends) I will be done with my job. Since I broke the news that I'm leaving, my office has been a hotbed for tension. And given that there area only two of us in the office, well, let's just say it makes for some long days. Surprisingly, I'm not that uncomfortable with the tension, which is unusual for me. I think the fact that I know without a doubt that I did the right thing in quitting has made dealing with the passive agressive hostility kind of easy.

The most difficult part of all of this was telling the students. Two weeks ago we had our bi-monthly meeting and I announced that I'd be leaving--or at least I tried to. I cried so hard that I had to take a mintue to compose myself. To be perfectly honest, I was prepared for a backlash from the kids. I really thought they'd be angry that I was leaving and I think a few of them are. But most of them were overwhelmingly supportive. Disappointed, but supportive. Some of them ended up saying some really wonderful things to me at the meeting and I've been getting some emails from them, as well. After the way my boss treated me, the support from my students is that much more appreciated. Maybe they understand more because they are students themselves.....

At this point, I'm on the hunt for something part-time that will still pay my main bills. While I know that technically, I will have help from the fiance, I am having a hard time with that. It's so strange to go from being financially independent to merging my finances with someone else. I kind of hate the thought of relying on the fiance to help me pay 'my' bills. I know, they are actually 'our' bills, and it's kind of funny and it's just a matter of me changing my mindset, but man it's tough.

I've been sending out resumes like crazy. I'm not *that* worried. If all else fails, I know I can do temp work for a while, but there is a part of me that would like to do something that can actually go on my resume. I have two options already on the table: #1, I've been offered a position as a dog walker. Yes, dog walker. Don't laugh! I totally love the idea of getting exercise while being able to play with all kinds of cute dogs and cats. AND, the fact that it is a completely mindless job sounds sooooo good after being so stressed out for so long. But it doesn't pay as well as I'd like it to. And I think I'd be bored after a month or two. And it's starting to get cold. Um, yeah, so option #2 is with the organization I worked for prior to my current job. I hear what you all are saying: "But didn't you leave that organization because you were dissatisfied with the direction it was taking?" Why yes, yes I did. But if I were to go back, my role would be drastically different from what it was when I was formerly employed there. Because this is (so far) the only viable offer I've had, here are my pros & cons:

PROS:
~20-30 hrs. per week
~I can set my own hours
~They are willing to pay me a lot per hour
~The office I'd be working in has some of my favorite former co-workers in it
~No dress code--hello jeans!! internship next semester
~This job will be easy to leave in 8 months

CONS:
~It's in Baltimore
~Baltimore is kind of far
~I really hate driving
~So much for putting less miles on my new car
~Lots 'o gas $$
~I'm still not a fan of the organization's overall direction
~Even less time with the fiance :(

Hmmmm......nope, still not sure. I figure I'll keep sending out resumes and making follow-up calls for the next week and then panic about whether or not to take this offer. Yeah, avoidance, that's a great plan!