Nothing to Bitch About

While we still haven't heard any word back from New England School (NES), where Hubby has verbally accepted a tenure-track job in his field, I am not complaining. I did find out yesterday that campus visits have been scheduled for the tenure-track position in my field at the same school, so the chances aren't great that they'll suddenly throw me in the mix for that one.

However, last Friday I received a request for additional materials from a school in Awesome Nearby Town (think chowder). The position I applied for wasn't tenure-track, but a Lecturer of Writing position, and the school's Writing Program is wicked intense. I've never seen one so extensive! They have requirements at the freshman and junior-level, and the courses cover several disciplines. The school actually has two spots open, so I'm cautiously hopeful at this point. The thing is, this would be a ridiculously amazing town to live near! And, even though it's only a lecturer position, it would be a fantastic university affiliation to have. Based on what I've seen on their web page, they don't use part-time lecturers or adjuncts. Rather, it looks like, because there are lots of people who are attracted to the area, the school is able to get very well-qualified PhDs (most of whom do not have rhet/comp backgrounds) to fill the lecturer spots, and these positions are renewed as long as the person is doing a good job.

Although I was disappointed to hear about the tenure-track job at Hubby's school falling away as an option, I'm not complaining. We're moving to a great area, where there are probably more schools per square inch of state than anywhere I can imagine. I'm also trying to take a piece of advice from this , which makes a good point about the importance of giving up things other than food (or Facebook, chocolate, coffee, etc.) for Lent. It seems like giving up complaining, bitterness, judgment, and worry would make for much more meaningful sacrifices. I also found the timing of my reading this piece more than coincidental.

You see, by the time Hubby went for his interview in New England Town (NET), I'd given up praying that he'd "get the job." That doesn't mean I didn't pray...I did. I prayed for him to do well, be his best, most confident self during his campus visit. But I didn't pray that he'd get the job. Instead, I gave it all up to God. Really and truly, I just stopped worrying about it and instead found solace in knowing that He has everything under control. I don't know what the future holds for us (not everything anyway), but I know that worrying about every possibility isn't getting me anywhere. It was shortly after this when Hubby got the news about the job. Coincidence? Who knows. All I know is that I have nothing to complain about. I have healthy kids, a new adventure ahead of me, and we're going to DisneyWorld in July! We've secured a real estate agent to help us find a home in our new area, and we've already been pre-qualified for a mortgage (both of these things are good to have in the pocket). Everything else will work out somehow...

Are You There God? It's Me, AcadeMama.

Dear God,

Let me start with thanks. I give thanks for our safe (though long) travels back to the U.S., the time we've had with family since getting home, relatively few travel problems along the way, a very blessed Christmas with Hubby and my daughters, and lots of great memories made in the past three weeks. Thank you for the opportunity I've been given in the form of an interview at MLA, with a school that is perfect, a position that's in my area, and in a location that would be ideal for both our family and careers.

I also have to give thanks for what has been an incredibly enjoyable stay at Hubby's parent's home. Yes, you read that right. We arrived on Dec. 18th and stayed for five days before returning to Home State to visit my family. The first leg of our stay couldn't have gone better. The kids have loved playing with cousins, I've enjoyed cooking for Hubby's family and watching them bond with the girls, and there's enough space that we don't feel like we're on top of each other (a huge bonus). After time with my family, we came back to Hubby's parent's house on Dec. 28th, and have been here since then. I've had the benefit of some very helpful, meaningful conversations with my mother-in-law, and I definitely feel like we've gotten to know each other better as a result. She's been a voice of wisdom and advice on several topics, and I appreciate the perspective she's offered. It's been a great visit, and I know our family brings chaos, noise, and toys everywhere to a home that is usually less full of those things. Thus, I appreciate his family's patience, willingness to share their space, and hospitality overall. I'm thinking of sending a thank you gift later (maybe flowers?)....Do you think that would be appropriate?

The trip back hasn't been without its down moments. In particular, I faced an extremely difficult confrontation with my mom, which still hasn't been resolved. In addition, my Grandma is dying, and it's going to happen sooner rather than later. She has Alzheimers, and her condition has rapidly deteriorated since I saw her in August. She only remembered me if I reminded her who I was. During one instance of lucidity, she heard my name, started stroking my hair and face, and melted into tears, telling me that she loved me. That moment meant the world to me, and I thank God I had the chance to say everything I needed to say. That I loved her, that she was the best grandmother anyone could ever ask for, that I had a lifetime of good memories to cherish, and that if I could be half the grandmother she was, I would be happy. I think she'll still be alive when I return to Home State (after MLA) on Saturday night, so I'll have one last chance to see her and take Hannah to see her, which means a lot to me.

Lastly, thank God I have an interview! I also have a wonderful friend who gave me the time to read my application materials and writing sample, then conduct a mock interview via Skype yesterday. She is truly teh awesomeness! I got good feedback from her, I'm prepped for the interview, and I feel confident about both my answers and my chances, in general, for the position. It would be a great job, for lots of reasons, and that's why I have to end with another address...

Please, please, please let this interview go well! And by go well, I mean please let it result in a campus visit. If that's not too much to ask, I'd really appreciate it.

K, thanks, in God's name,
Amen

I'm Getting Published!

Woohoo!! The proposal I submitted to an edited collection on a non-dissertation-related topic has been accepted for publication! Very exciting, considering the proposal I submitted for the ASECS panel did not get accepted (but I'm trying out a second option there).

Anywho, totally excited about getting published, especially with a good press, but I'm already feeling the stress of the fact that a) the essay has yet to be written and b) there is a deadline--eek. I don't know how much time is usually given for these things, but they want my essay by January 31st, because the senior editor at the press wants to move quickly on the collection, having it out/published in 2012. So, I have approximately 3-4 months to complete the research for and write this 20-25 page essay...in addition to preparing all the job letters, materials, etc. I can do this, right? I have to do this!

I'm doing this!

Post-Dissertation Productivity: Or, One of the Perks of My Job

Now that the dissertation is finished, I am able to fully realize what is likely the biggest benefit to this job (second, perhaps, to the money): TIME!

I am scheduled to teach 2 classes each semester. This semester, one of those classes has only 2 students enrolled. Despite all logic and normal operations of any university, the powers that be are requiring that this course continue to be offered. So, I have made this class as easy on myself and the students as possible, and suffice it to say that this class takes up less than 2 hours per week of my time. My other class, a basic intro to rhet/comp class, is made up of 12 students. I have taught this course many times over the past 9 years, so there is little prep to be done. The time spent is on reading, commenting on, and grading papers. Since there are only 12 students, though, this is a fairly quick process, leaving me with plenty of time to concentrate on my own work: preparing job market materials, researching, and revising.

Thus far, I've already submitted an essay proposal for an edited collection, and I just submitted a paper proposal for an ASECS panel. The panel organizer is a graduate student I met a couple years ago at a conference in England, and I talked with her again at the 2009 ASECS conference, so I'm hoping (maybe foolishly) that she'll remember me and think "Oh yes, she's a smart person with good ideas...of course I'll accept her paper." Doesn't really matter, because I'm going to the conference whether the proposal is accepted or not. I have also significantly revised my teaching philosophy after noticing some weak spots, reflecting on my experience teaching abroad this past year, and reading some damn fine teaching statements from other people in the field.

The only major task I have yet to finish up is revising my writing sample/journal article submission. I have about 10 things I need to address, change, develop, etc. and then it will be ready to go. It feels so good to be able to choose what I want to work on each day, and it feels even better having the time to get finished what needs to be finished. I know that I'm lucky in the sense that most people do not have this experience as lecturers or graduate students going on the market, and I just hope that the extra time I'm spending on crafting a strong job letter, teaching statement, etc. will pay off in the form of a job!