Well, I am on my way. The last few weeks were spent tying up my research in Boston and saying good by to friends and family on the east coast. I spent Thanksgiving in Pennsylvania with my family.
It was good to take the time to transition, I needed it. Some of my lab mates thought I was crazy for still trying to do some research after I finished up my thesis. Truth was that I enjoyed that. It was all gravy as far as I was concerned, no pressure or expectation. If something worked, great. Otherwise I was not really that concerned.
The delay in my departure also gave me the time to say my farewells. I really don’t know if I’ll be coming back to the east coast, other than to visit friends and family. For some people I might not see them for years. I say that out of practicality and not desire. “Are you sure you want to leave?” was asked more than once.
As I type this, heading down to BWI airport from my hometown, I still have some reservations about my decision. This is of course normal for such a bit move. You don’t live somewhere you enjoyed for nine years and not feel that way, at least a little bit. I am going to a place where I don’t know anybody. My nearest friend lives in Vancouver, six hours away by car. The place is a desert and I have to drive at least 1.5 hours to get to anything close to the green that I grew up with in the Northeast. Really for the first time I am completely off on my own.
That’s all on the personal side and are things that are part of becoming an adult. Well, I guess a “full adult” not that I have been stripped on my “student” status. Please don’t think that I’m complaining though. In the big picture the Tri-cities area is not a bad place to live. As with any of the places I have lived, I will make the best of it and find what the area has to offer. New friends will be made and I will have some more means to explore my other interests. As for my surroundings I am trading the Northeast for some amazing teritory. Living in the Tri-cities area will certainly help me figure out what my priorities are for my living area and how “self-entertaining” I am. Who knows I might even like the area! Change is good at this point of my life.
What I am certain that I will enjoy is the professional side of my new adventure, the main reason that I am going. During my interview at my new lab I got the impression that there are more projects sitting around than people. I don’t imply that these are low hanging fruit, most of the stuff that I was told about will be a challenge and I will certainly be earning my paycheck. When I am productive out of my new lab I will be in a much better situation than I am now. Also what they are working on is closer to my interest area and where I want to direct my research.
All said, I feel that my decision is a sound one and is my best option. I am thankful that the job offer was made and am looking forward to what the next few years holds. More information to come.
