Hey mom and dad…”it’s really coming down!” Yes everyone, it is snowing!! I am all shocked and amazed. It is great! I didn’t think I would get to see any snow this winter, but here I am in Atlanta with flakes falling. It’s not sticking to roads yet, but it’s starting to pile up on the bushes and trees. I had no idea it was supposed to snow — how cool!
This afternoon Christina and I are headed to Barnes and Noble, I believe. And errands. Dinner at Doc Chey’s, ice cream at Jake’s. It all sounds like a good plan to me. I guess I’ve basically decided that in order to avoid making the rest of the week a “Sarah feels like an inconvenience” party, I’m just going to have fun. I mean, how often do I get to see my friends anymore? Not often enough.
Nick was in Atlanta for New Year’s, but I didn’t manage to connect with him. I know Emily is around this week, so I’m going to give her a call and see if she’s interested in doing anything.
And so yes, I’ve accepted the NASA job. Well, not officially since the offer letter is waiting for me in California when I get back to school on Monday, but I’ve accepted via email. My dad called this morning to talk about it, and is all worried that I am not happy. Truthfully, I am happy about it. I got the job offer in exactly the division I wanted, and all fall I have been saying that when that happened I would accept. And so I have.
The thought of going to Houston makes me feel calm. I look forward to having my own place, and being able to “set up house” without having to consider another cross-country move in 6, 7, 8…months. The only reason I am not more excited is that it is just a little strange. Here I am: visiting the friends and places I spent five extraordinary years with but can no longer see more than once every few months…without my room and my car and dependent on the generosity and hospitality of these friends and their families…ready to get back to Stanford but not ready to begin classes again…and then I get the final word on my job offer. And I accept it. A year ago, I never would have guessed it. I was all set for another five years of school to get that pristine Ph.D., and thought I might even stay here at Tech just because I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to leave.
Funny how things change. So Dad, if you’re reading, it’s hard for me to be overly excited about the job right now. But I am happy.
