I'll share more details once it's a sure thing, but I have a conditional offer for a work-from-home job. Conditional, because I have to successfully complete a four-day training seminar first. And that's how I came to be here, in a town outside NYC, all by myself.
I am unbelievably nervous. It's a work-from-home job, yes, but unlike when I edited the dictionary, I will actually have to meet my (prospective) bosses and "co"-workers. In person. TOMORROW. Before I left Ithaca, as I packed, I broke out the professional work wardrobe that I purchased back in 2000 and haven't touched since 2005. There were still a few usable pieces. Usable enough, anyway, to get me through a four-day seminar.
As I drove away from my husband and two kids this afternoon, headed for NYC, I had to fight the feeling that I wasn't worth it. What right did I have to inconvenience my family by leaving town for four days? What right did I have to spend our family's hard-earned money and resources on something that so totally benefits ME? Who did I think I was, to deserve a little work vacation?
It took me from Ithaca until about Liberty, NY - a good few hours of driving - to convince myself that I was asking my family to do no more for me than we've done for Jeremy many times in the past. I reminded myself of all the times we scrimped and saved and stretched to get Jeremy to that important academic conference while he was doing his PhD, or how we used up precious frequent flier miles to supplement a paltry student travel grant. It was all to further his education and work prospects. It's been a long time since we've done anything like that for me. And besides, I think I am worth it.
Especially if I get through this training OK, which I am fairly confident of because the job is a great match for my skills. But you never know - maybe my outdated professional wardrobe will kill my prospects. Let's hope not.
I am unbelievably nervous. It's a work-from-home job, yes, but unlike when I edited the dictionary, I will actually have to meet my (prospective) bosses and "co"-workers. In person. TOMORROW. Before I left Ithaca, as I packed, I broke out the professional work wardrobe that I purchased back in 2000 and haven't touched since 2005. There were still a few usable pieces. Usable enough, anyway, to get me through a four-day seminar.
As I drove away from my husband and two kids this afternoon, headed for NYC, I had to fight the feeling that I wasn't worth it. What right did I have to inconvenience my family by leaving town for four days? What right did I have to spend our family's hard-earned money and resources on something that so totally benefits ME? Who did I think I was, to deserve a little work vacation?
It took me from Ithaca until about Liberty, NY - a good few hours of driving - to convince myself that I was asking my family to do no more for me than we've done for Jeremy many times in the past. I reminded myself of all the times we scrimped and saved and stretched to get Jeremy to that important academic conference while he was doing his PhD, or how we used up precious frequent flier miles to supplement a paltry student travel grant. It was all to further his education and work prospects. It's been a long time since we've done anything like that for me. And besides, I think I am worth it.
Especially if I get through this training OK, which I am fairly confident of because the job is a great match for my skills. But you never know - maybe my outdated professional wardrobe will kill my prospects. Let's hope not.