Monday, August 22, 2005

breathe in, breathe out

Step 1: Notify sponsor of intent to withdraw fellowship app.

That's what I did today. And then hours later, I received the bittersweet response, regarding the missed opportunity for such an innovative project and a missed opportunity to bring me to their office. The sentiment was appreciated, but of course, it upset me like I knew it would, and I've spent a good part of the afternoon wallowing on the couch with the depressing music on my iPod. I nurtured this, I brought it to life. Then I abandoned it. I feel guilty, like I abandoned the attorneys and the clients. I need a moment to mourn the loss of this very specific dream, and to shake off some of this guilt.

Step 2: Notify funding agency of withdrawal.

Check. Hopefully their response will not inspire the same reaction.

But for the past few weeks, I've slowly been prepping. I've steeled myself to make this decision. Making a decision either way was going to result in a loss in some form, so neither option was easier to accept than the other.

Now I have to go accept the other position. As my mother pointed out, it's generally wiser to accept one before withdrawing from the other. But part of me hoped that they could offer me something at the last minute, some sort of guaranteed employment, that would allow me to continue to pursue the withdrawn project. Something, anything, to make this decision easier. It didn't happen. But hey, life is full of difficult decisions. And I've made mine. I'm paralyzed with terror that I could have made the wrong decision - again, I think either decision would have left me feeling that way. But the decision has been made, and now I have to go forward accepting that either decision could also be the right one. It's time to look at why I'm the luckiest SOB for having a choice at all between two dream jobs.

Well hell. I'm going to be a public defender! It's about time. I have to get that acceptance letter out ASAP...

11 comments:

Sancho said...

First off, let me just say..

WOOHOO! Congrats on the new gig and welcome to the club!
Secondly, what depressing music are you listening to on your iPod? I could use some more myself.

Anonymous said...

Today, it was: "question" by old 97s. "wake up" by teddy thompson. "in every sunflower" by bell x1. "hallelujah" by jeff buckley. "matrimony" by whiskeytown.

Pick me up songs? "To be Young" by ryan adams. "Get No Better" by Cassidy. "Behind These Hazel Eyes" by Kelly Clarkson. "On My Own" by Peach Union. "Dont Feel Like Cryin" Abra Moore. "Promise" by Eve 6. The Game. Most of those are on one of my gym mixes.

Anonymous said...

I personally like Ryan Adams' "Summer of '69."

Jen said...

Yeah, welcome to the club! The club of which I have been a member for 1.5 weeks.

WomanoftheLaw said...

CDog, I can't tell if you're joking or not, but for those unfamiliar, RYAN Adams is different from BRYAN (Brian?) Adams, the Canadian sappy ballad singer. Although I am a total sucker for songs like "Summer of 69," and other type songs like Seger's "Night Moves" and anything by the Boss. See also, last week's post regarding desire for trucks, dirt roads, radio, et al. Can I be a liberal cowgirl?

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I know I'm a little late on this, but great job and welcome!

Also, I need to get an iPod.

123txpublicdefender123 said...

Welcome to the wonderful world of public defenderhood!

Gideon's Guardians said...

Welcome to the wonderful world of being a public defender! Just remember being a woman in the criminal field you have the advantage.
Janet

Anonymous said...

You also have an edge in the kitchen. And laundry room. Don't forget it.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations

Mirriam Seddiq said...

and, question is not a depressing song! one of my friends used it as her wedding song.