Terri is moving: The FAQ
Jul. 22nd, 2011 03:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
terrikoI made an offhand comment about not wanting to drive a uhaul for 35 hours, and as a result several dozen people have independently contacted me in a variety of ways to ask what's up with that, and the tide does not seem to be slowing. I'm totally glad I have so many friends who want to know what's up with my life, but I'm pretty busy with thesis and I don't actually have time right now to answer all the questions I'm getting. So I'm sorry about the impersonal nature of this, but here's an FAQ:
Q: Did I miss the announcement?
A: No. I don't plan to make the formal announcement of my new job until I've signed the paperwork, but I promise that I will when that's all sorted out.
Q: What will you be doing? Where are you moving?
A: I'll be doing awesome things! Not here! It's a very open secret where I'll be going and what I'll be doing, but I'm hoping to tie up some loose ends before I make a public announcement.
If you see me in person, feel free to ask (I *love* talking about the new job), but please don't send me email/g+/fb/twitter messages any more. I wasn't prepared for the sheer number I've gotten, and I'm finding it surprisingly draining (see below).
Q: Why are you so cranky about it?
A:
1. I've been working very close to 24/7 for the past few weeks in a bid to get my thesis into a defensible state, and was working 10hour+ days frequently even before that.
2. My supervisor decided that I need two complete extra chapters as well as major revisions on what I do have. Which is why the long hours and limited time off. And it's not going to get up for at least another week, probably longer.
3. While I like working with my supervisor in general, the one thing I actually dislike about working with him is his editing skills, which makes this even more frustrating.
4. I can't start the new job until I finish this degree, and they wanted me to start in July if it were possible. I currently can't defend until September due to university rules. The longer I wait, the harder it's going to be on both me and them when I start because of other things going on during that time period.
5. I have an ever-growing list of things I have to do before I leave the country. Including finding somewhere new to live.
6. It's stupidly hot out (~46C with the humidex) and I don't deal well with this weather nor with being cooped up to avoid it.
7. The constant questions and reminders that I'm moving away from all my local friends are making this especially emotionally draining.
8. I just had to spend time writing this instead of doing my job because a half hour on this was less time than answering all the questions individually.
etc.
Q: When are you defending your thesis?
A: I don't know. As the university requires it to be scheduled 6 weeks from submission date, we're looking at sometime in September. We can't schedule it until I submit my final copies, and I expect that will take at least two more weeks at this stage.
Q: How is it going?
A: DON'T ASK.
Q: Can we come cheer you on in the defence?
A: I don't know, and I'm leaning towards no, since frankly the defence will likely be the most boring way I have ever presented my work. (Because, and I am not kidding here, I was actually told that my proposal was too readable, so I expect I will have to make the presentation intentionally more boring and "scholarly" for that particular committee member.) I'll let you know a week or two before the defence date when I've decided my preference.
Q: When are you moving?
A: Hopefully near the end of August. I've given notice here so it'll be on or before Aug 31, but I haven't found a new place there.
Q: How are you moving?
A: I don't know, but not a uhaul. I do have a small moving allowance as part of my contract, but I will be very surprised if it covers many of my expenses.
Q: Are you selling/getting rid of stuff before you move?
A: Yes, but I'm not fully sure of what until I've made actual moving arrangements.
Q: Are you having a party before you leave?
A: Yes, probably a drop-in affair like the cookie parties. I don't know when this will be because I don't know when I'm actually moving, but rest assured that it will be well-publicized, and you will have ample opportunity to see me before I leave. Or you can come visit once I'm settled in the new place!
Q: What if I have another question not covered here?
A: Please wait until I've announced my thesis defence date before asking, as I'll likely still be stressed out and irritated by questions until that time.
Q: Did I miss the announcement?
A: No. I don't plan to make the formal announcement of my new job until I've signed the paperwork, but I promise that I will when that's all sorted out.
Q: What will you be doing? Where are you moving?
A: I'll be doing awesome things! Not here! It's a very open secret where I'll be going and what I'll be doing, but I'm hoping to tie up some loose ends before I make a public announcement.
If you see me in person, feel free to ask (I *love* talking about the new job), but please don't send me email/g+/fb/twitter messages any more. I wasn't prepared for the sheer number I've gotten, and I'm finding it surprisingly draining (see below).
Q: Why are you so cranky about it?
A:
1. I've been working very close to 24/7 for the past few weeks in a bid to get my thesis into a defensible state, and was working 10hour+ days frequently even before that.
2. My supervisor decided that I need two complete extra chapters as well as major revisions on what I do have. Which is why the long hours and limited time off. And it's not going to get up for at least another week, probably longer.
3. While I like working with my supervisor in general, the one thing I actually dislike about working with him is his editing skills, which makes this even more frustrating.
4. I can't start the new job until I finish this degree, and they wanted me to start in July if it were possible. I currently can't defend until September due to university rules. The longer I wait, the harder it's going to be on both me and them when I start because of other things going on during that time period.
5. I have an ever-growing list of things I have to do before I leave the country. Including finding somewhere new to live.
6. It's stupidly hot out (~46C with the humidex) and I don't deal well with this weather nor with being cooped up to avoid it.
7. The constant questions and reminders that I'm moving away from all my local friends are making this especially emotionally draining.
8. I just had to spend time writing this instead of doing my job because a half hour on this was less time than answering all the questions individually.
etc.
Q: When are you defending your thesis?
A: I don't know. As the university requires it to be scheduled 6 weeks from submission date, we're looking at sometime in September. We can't schedule it until I submit my final copies, and I expect that will take at least two more weeks at this stage.
Q: How is it going?
A: DON'T ASK.
Q: Can we come cheer you on in the defence?
A: I don't know, and I'm leaning towards no, since frankly the defence will likely be the most boring way I have ever presented my work. (Because, and I am not kidding here, I was actually told that my proposal was too readable, so I expect I will have to make the presentation intentionally more boring and "scholarly" for that particular committee member.) I'll let you know a week or two before the defence date when I've decided my preference.
Q: When are you moving?
A: Hopefully near the end of August. I've given notice here so it'll be on or before Aug 31, but I haven't found a new place there.
Q: How are you moving?
A: I don't know, but not a uhaul. I do have a small moving allowance as part of my contract, but I will be very surprised if it covers many of my expenses.
Q: Are you selling/getting rid of stuff before you move?
A: Yes, but I'm not fully sure of what until I've made actual moving arrangements.
Q: Are you having a party before you leave?
A: Yes, probably a drop-in affair like the cookie parties. I don't know when this will be because I don't know when I'm actually moving, but rest assured that it will be well-publicized, and you will have ample opportunity to see me before I leave. Or you can come visit once I'm settled in the new place!
Q: What if I have another question not covered here?
A: Please wait until I've announced my thesis defence date before asking, as I'll likely still be stressed out and irritated by questions until that time.
Best wishes on thesis
Date: July 23rd, 2011 12:29 am (UTC)Trade some of that heat for the rain and cool temperatures here in Vancouver, so both sides can be nicer by average.
You'll do fine with the thesis :-).