It's been a while since we've talked, yes? I have an excuse, though many of you already know what it is. Over the past few weeks, I've been planning a move to Gainesville, Florida, as I accepted a new position there. It's a dramatic change and one about which I'm both excited and nervous, but ready or not, here I come.
First things first. The job I've taken is as Technical Services Administrator for the Alachua County Library District in Gainesville, Florida, home of the University of Florida, and about 2.5 hours from my parents. So while I'm still working in a public library, it's a college town. I'll be managing the people who purchase, catalog, and process books for the library. Which is good, because I don't know what I'd do if I wasn't the first person to hear about all the new books. This should be a really interesting system in which to work, as it has its own taxing district and therefore gets money directly from taxpayers rather than from a local government. I'll be doing lots of reports and budgeting and and helping to configure our catalog records and administering of our vendor plans--all stuff I love. I love collection development and acquisitions work, and I'm excited that I'll be in a position where I can direct and lead some of what's happening with it. And if it means that I'm the first person to read the new Janet Evanovich or Mary Kay Andrews, well, then, it's just part of the job.
As much as I've hoped for more responsibility in this type of work, and as much as I've moved in my life, you might have thought I'd be less surprised at all there is to leaving a job, moving, selling a house, finding a new place to live, seeing everyone you can before leaving, and starting a new job. Can I just tell you how expensive movers are? I've always moved myself (translation: my parents have always moved me), so it was a surprise to me. Trosa, an organization dedicated to help people recovering from substance abuse that recently expanded its moving program to include inter-state moves, will be moving my things. My car and eight hours on the road will be moving me and Sasha. Who I hope will be appeased by her new screened in porch after the eight some-odd-hour drive.
Which brings me to my new apartment. I plan to rent for at least the next year. At some point, I'd like to buy again--somewhere where an HOA takes care of many of those maintenance things I hate--but I'm looking forward to not being a homeowner for a while. A non-homeowner with a pool and a fitness room, I might add. I'll be on the third floor, not my favorite, but who can't use the exercise? Plus, it gets me a better view, more sunshine, and vaulted ceilings. If you're curious, here's a video of the model apartment that has the same floorplan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac0h1pvElGs
And the best part is that it's only 7.5 miles from work! Woo hoo! Having driven 34 miles each way for years, I couldn't possibly be more thrilled about this. Although I'm having to learn how to stop at lights again.
My house is for sale! Do you know anyone who's looking? Please? Adorable little house in a fabulous location with only county taxes! We've had some good feedback so I hope it's just a matter of time, but I'd really like for it to happen fast. Tell your friends!
While the house is for sale, Sasha is staying with her Auntie Vicki, and evidently they're having a high old time together, as Auntie Vicki is threatening not to return her. I'm madly trying to pack the many things I own, slightly embarrassing after having insisted that I only have a 1200 square foot house and couldn't possibly own very much. In my defense, a good bit of it belongs to Sasha. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with the stuff that I won't need any more. And just how do you pack a breadmaker, anyway?
All of this makes it sound like I'm anxious to get out of here, and I will be glad when this is over, but it's not about leaving. It's about arriving somewhere else (I sure hope so, anyway). I'm going to miss this place more than I even know how to say. I love my house, even as I've entertained the idea of burning it down so I won't have to mow the lawn. The people I work with, well, it's hard to imagine a better group. They may never know that I've learned so much more from them than they could ever have learned from me, but either way, we provided great books to readers together. This is fantastic area in which to live, with everything anyone could ever want in entertainment, education, and resources. Oh, and basketball, don't forget the basketball. And I have friends here that I have no idea how I'm going to manage without having nearby. Skype and email, I suspect. But it's time for something new. Doing the type of work I love in more responsible capacity for an organization that supports my continued professional development; less time managing my house and more time playing. And lots of sunshine. What's not to love about sunshine? I'm looking forward to what the next phase brings.
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