Friday, September 19, 2014

Back to Austin

Over the course of four years, the firm moved me from San Diego, to LA, to a secondment in Orange County, to Tokyo and, finally, to a secondment in Tokyo. I hated moving frequently, but I felt I had no choice but to follow the work. I needed the opportunity to accrue experience, earn the paycheck that would pay off my loans, and build a strong financial foundation; and in those early days the job market for junior corporate associates was so bleak that I didn't see any alternative. So I put on a brave face for the firm, packed up my stuff time and time again, and made do.

I had run the numbers and knew, long-term, life would be easier if I saw this through to the end of my fourth year. By that time, I would have enough experience to be marketable as a lateral in Austin, the city where (I thought) my long-term boyfriend and I wanted to make a home together. My loans would be paid off and my down payment savings goal would be met. When the going got tough (and it often did once I was in Tokyo), I would think of how great it would feel to have everything come together at the end of 2014.

This past June, I discovered that my boyfriend had been cheating throughout the duration of our nine year relationship. Not just a fling here or there, but multiple, simultaneous long-term relationships. It was a discovery that shook me to my core and left me questioning everything. Specifically, what impact would this have on my plans to move to Austin?

It took time to clear my head. When I was ready, I sat down with family and friends and talked through the idea of continuing with a move to Austin. I started out convinced that I had to give up on the plan out of fear that our paths might cross by coincidence one day. Numerous friends pointed out that it made no sense for me to banish myself from Austin when he was the one at fault. Hehad been just one of many reasons I had wanted to return to Austin. No need to change my plans on account of him.

I submitted my resume and deal list to three firms. The first submission was met with silence. The second led to a phone interview. While the second firm was deliberating, the third led to an offer that I accepted.

It's been a long time coming, but I'm finally headed back to Austin!

12 comments:

TP said...

Well, hot friggin' damn. Congratulations on some good news for a change. We might have to actually meet IRL!

Meredith said...

We Texans are glad to hear it - Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! It really sounds like 2014 is going to end on such a high note for you. I can't recall your actual timeline...is it too soon to wish you good luck with the move? If not, good luck with all of your travels and your upcoming move!

Jeg said...

Congratulations!

CP said...

Congrats! So happy for you!

Paragon2Pieces said...

Thanks all! I still don't really have the words for how excited I am. There's a little something bittersweet in all this, but I am so darn happy about this change :)

@Anon The move is already in progress! I'll need those good luck wishes as there are a lot of moving parts and the timeline is pretty compressed.

Had originally been planning to take an offer from a different type of employer in Austin. That plan would have allowed me to leave Tokyo earlier with time to take a really great vacation, but would have resulted in a pretty steep paycut and taken me in a direction that didn't make strategic sense. (Frankly, that offer resulted from some knee-jerk reactions after the break-up.)

Thankfully, this opportunity came along! For various reasons, I won't get to take that vacation now that I've opted for this offer, but given the amount of adventure I've had in the last two years and how much I'm looking forward to Austin, I didn't mind putting that vacation on hold. (Truth be told, I wasn't too excited about vacationing all by myself anyway.)

Anonymous said...

Wishing you all the very best!

This is a great new beginning. New people, new firm, back to TX... it is all coming together.

Sometimes things happen for a reason. Think positive...and more good will come. You are on a roll.
Susan

E. McPan said...

Congratulations! So glad to hear you will be back closer to friends and family. You deserve it.

Hallie said...

YAYYY!!!! SO SO SOOOOO excited for you!!!!

Cecilia said...

that's awesome!

nrlrose7 said...

Congratulations! So very happy that all your hard work and planning worked out!

LP Sutton said...

Congratulations!!!