Gezelligheid

An escape from the jaws of Joisey...

I always identified with the Counting Crows song, "I belong in the service of the Queen, I belong anywhere but in between..."  And New Jersey is the in-betweenest place I've ever been.  Dollared people warehousing themselves by night and shipping themselves to New York City by day, wandering  in a fatigued fog over vast highways full of inertia.  I was raised on a farm.  And now I prefer city life.   Suburbia holds no allure.

Unexpectedly I found out that I am to be assigned to a six-month consulting gig... to  be based in either Charlotte, NC or Minneapolis, MN.  Certainly not the extraordinary places I hope to meander to someday.  But pleasant cities.  And I can just stay and work, and not have to fly each week.

I just finished my old job today, and now I have two weeks to prepare my house for a six-month absence, to pack, and to acquire a TN visa.

I gave my sweet little Burmese cat away yesterday. 

I revel in change, but these changes upon changes are piling up at a disconcerting rate.  But all will be well when I hit the road, my little car full of music and anticipation. 

For now I will focus on moving my career forward, of rapidly growing into the senior consultant that I've been hired to be.  But someday soon I will be in the service of something higher and better.  The world is crying and my heart hears it. 

In which a nice girl is lured to New Jersey

2007 has arrived with an exciting new twist... coming at the perfect time.  I moved to Hamilton, Ontario (after spending 4 years in London, UK) and moved into my little house exactly 5 years ago this month.  The goal at the time was to spend 5 years here, living near my family and developing a stable career. 

Last month I had a job interview for a consulting position in the United States.   After the interview, I realized that I really did not want to leave Canada permanently.  So the company agreed to transfer me back to Canada after six months employment with them.   The offer letter finally arrived today, and they have made me an offer I can't refuse - a senior consulting position and the opportunity to be the first consultant based in Canada.

Its a growing, dynamic, ambitious company... and an excellent career move for me. 

So in one month for now I will be living in a little flat in New Jersey, flying to consulting gigs across the US.  I promise to gather lots of blog material on the road -- there's a plethora of interesting people out there.

This is the last time I'll discuss my work, though - blogging about employers is a quick route to unemployment.

Stories of random American strangers are much more entertaining regardless.