Well, I'm back and at least the weather is better than it was yesterday. Actually the rain and gloom were perfect for a sleepy arrival, a much-needed nap, and general post-trip laziness. Today's beaming sunshine would have been lost on me in my altered mental state yesterday.
We had a great dinner at Bengal and I slept like a little lamb (although I did miss my little lamb Bella, keeping my feet warm and snoring/dreaming in weird ways). Today I continued my cleaning spree - I have bursts of rage where I want to throw everything away and/or snap my fingers and have the Container Store at my disposition - and we ran some errands before having a nice al fresco lunch and a good long run at the lakes in Palermo. Too bad I hate children, especially children whose parents let them do whatever they want (read: roller skate in zig-zags, stop suddenly in the middle of the sidewalk, wreak general havoc and not understand why it's nearly impossible for me not to run them over). It was a good run but not a relaxing one. We're already trying to figure out a way to avoid these issues in the future (key: don't go at 3 pm on a holiday when everyone and their mom is out at the park. Oops).
I just watched a classic ep of 90210 (Will Kelly die in the Holiday Rave housefire? Stay tuned next week to find out!) and now José is slumbering. I was tired but my mind is racing, mainly because I can't seem to move beyond some disappointing news that I got yesterday once I was back home.
I had mentioned a week or so ago that I had some exciting new developments/news to share, and that no matter what the outcome I'd keep you posted on what was happening. Well, in a whirlwind span of less than 2 weeks I ended up being 1 of 2 people considered for a job with a very big, very cool, very amazeballs company (with the position being in Boston). I still kind of feel like it was as blur but things seemed to be progressing really well, despite the odds (who ever thinks they will be "chosen" by a company such as this one to at least have a face-to-face interview?! Not me). After what were some successful early round interviews I ended up going to Boston to meet with the team for I guess what could be considered as a final interview. It went really well and I felt very comfortable with the people I met - not to mention that I really was head over heels for the job and its description. It seemed to fit me to a tee, no joke.
Mum was the word and I am glad I found out once back in BA what the verdict was. Sadly, the other candidate was just plain stronger than I was and I didn't get the job. Tears and disappointment ensued. While I was trying hard not to get ahead of myself, I couldn't help but think about how lovely it would have been to be back in the US ... close to friends and family, with the familiar comforts of my former home, with an amazing job that would be putting me on an even more amazing career path. Le sigh.
It's probably for the best - especially since in the next 8 weeks we're getting married! an international move across the continents probably wouldn't be the most relaxing thing in the world - but it still hurts. It feels like coming back to square one and having nothing to show for it. I actually likened it to what a one-night stand must feel like. You give your all and then... thanks for trying. Please come back another time. Kind of a bummer.
Not the end of the world - I have so much to be happy about and to be excited for. That goes without saying. But I guess after stressing so much the past year over what direction I'm headed in, I was really hoping for a little intervention from the friendly job gods to make it that much easier for me.
Looks like I'll be digging into my creative bag and trying to wrangle out some cool opportunities for me while I'm still here. I'm definitely going to take advantage of this free time and hit the books. I need to study something - my brain is going nuts and I know it will help me expand on my already motley contact base here.
Hopefully something even better will present itself soon ... But preferably after June 21 :)
