A very long post

Jeez, it's been a really, really long time since I've posted. Almost 3 months. Last time I was freaking out about resumes and job searches. A lot has happened since then. I went to the AAFS meeting in San Antonio. It was a great time. Gorgeous weather, nice hotel, classmates all pretty much got along. Made some contacts there, came home and sent out some resumes. Then did some more searching and sent out some more. My internship has been ok. Toxicology and Drug Chemistry are over, just started the second week of Biology. We have done more in the last week and 2 days, and have gotten more results, than we did for the entire 3 weeks of Chem. The last day of class is May 8th, when I have to give a Capstone presentation about the internship. Graduation is May 17th, about 5 weeks from now. Kinda scary, but pretty exciting to be finally finishing school. Starting my "real" life. And hopefully a career. Which brings me to why I'm finally posting.

At the AAFS meeting I went to a workshop on Mitochondrial DNA. I decided that I really wanted to eventually work at the lab that presented the workshop: Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory in Rockville, MD. They do identification testing on remains from past wars and conflicts. Some nuclear DNA, but since most of the remains are bone a lot of it is mito. I want to get into the mito section. Julie, someone who graduated from the first class of my program, currently works there. I got in contact with her, sent her my resume, she passed it along. Figured maybe, maybe, in a few months I might get a call.

Well, I did. I was told they have some positions open, but they have to be filled by May 1st. Bit of a problem since I have class until the 8th. They said that they might have about 2 weeks flexibility, so we set up a phone interview for yesterday. But there is no way on earth I could go from being up here in Philly on the 8th and be in Rockville on the 14th. So I canceled the interview, making sure I told them that I wish to be considered for future openings. Figured that was it. I sent the email on Thursday. On Friday.......

I got an email from them. Specifically from Ted, who is my contact and who I mean when I say "he." He said he was sorry to hear I had withdrawn my application, but he was "very excited that AFDIL retains your interest." Pretty cool, huh? Gets better. Then he asked how far he would have to push back the start date to "recapture" my application. Sounds like they are courting me, doesn't it?!?! I talked it over with Mom and Dad, and I figured I could make the move by Memorial Day weekend. I emailed Ted and let him know. He called me yesterday to tell me that he talked to the administrative people and got enough of a vibe from them to figure there is a good chance of pushing the start date. So I have another phone interview scheduled for Monday. It's a panel interview because there are a few positions in a few departments. He said he wants to get a good impression out there and with "a few administrative tricks" this whole thing should work out. So, I'm thinking that unless I totally screw up the interview.....I have a job! Maybe. But I think I have a job!

Now I just need to figure out how much I'd be making so I can figure out how much I can afford for rent and then find a place. But I should be able to get some leads. Julie, who works at AFDIL, should be a big help. Aileen is less than 50 miles away. Brittany's cousin on her dad's side lives in Baltimore, less than 50 miles away. And I just found out this weekend from Jimi that Cory used to live in Rockville. With all of them I should at least be able to learn what areas to avoid. Maybe even get some ideas of areas that are not as expensive. It's a very pricey area. I'm seeing rents of $700 and higher for studios. Sorry, did the studio thing in Houston. No way I can do it again. I have way too much shit. Hopefully the salary I'd be making will make it possible for me to get a one or maybe a two bedroom in a decent area that isn't too long of a commute.