cathy @ Fri, 2006-11-17 22:00
It seems that I most likely have a job to go back to in the UK. I asked my old boss if he would help me to write a grant to get a salary when I get home and he replied saying that he has a 3 year contract available that I would be perfect for! It not only uses the skills that I already have but also adds to them so I won't be bored. I'll be working on kidney physiology. I recently read a friends thesis on renal (kidney) physiology and really enjoyed it. I even started to look up some papers because of it. It's his setup that I'd be learning to use. It looks so much harder than what I've already done. Bring it on!
I need to negotiate over the start date though. The job is available from the end of Jan but I want to spend more time than that with Meg as well as have a rest and make sure that I'm fully recooperated myself. I'm thinking April time when Meg is nearly 6 months old. This will give us time to settle down again and find childcare etc.
I just can't believe the timing with this job. I feel so relieved that I have a job to go to because I was really disappointed to have to resign from the one I have. I know it was the right thing as everyone keeps saying to me but I have to admit that most people who are excited about it are from a purely selfish point of view wanting us home in the UK. The fact that my career that I have worked really hard for could have taken a serious hit didn't occur to anyone (except Kev which is why he pushed to stay out here for so long).
Don't get me wrong I'm glad to be going home but I felt that I was being forced to give up on what is a big part of me. My work has always been important to me and I know that it's no longer the most important thing but why can't both work? So like I said the timing for this job opening couldn't have been any better from my point of view. I bet that I'll get lots of stupid comments though about being selfish and not putting Meg first. I look at it another way. If I have time away when I know she is safe and happy then I think I will be a better mother. I also think that daycare is a good way to learn social skills and the children who go to day care tend to be more advanced early on in school which will build confidence.