My apologies for the grainy photo. But you get the general idea…
A few weeks ago I took a part-time temporary position at Chapman University as the Associate Director of Instructional Technology. Balancing that work with my dissertation-writing and my other obligations (podcasting! blogging! attending conferences! poetry! parenting! gardening! paddling!) has not been easy. But the work is incredibly stimulating. I have a lovely office location and great resources at my fingertips. My new colleagues are smart and supportive. I am learning so much.
I fear that what has suffered the most for these past few weeks is my ability to support my family, my friendships, and my spiritual life. Because becoming a better juggler of my ‘to-do’ list does not necessarily make me a better human being or a better partner. But in that, I am learning, too.
3 comments
Congrats on the job, Jana! What a fabulous grown-up office. You'll figure out the balance soon, surely. In the meantime, I think I can speak for most of your loyal readers that we're willing to wait for you to find your groove again. :)
This totally makes me think of John's desk with all the computers. It's like you guys have matching workspaces- I mean not really, but I have never had a job where I had more than one computer- except being a student- for that I have needed two.
[…] been lucky that the skills I learned while doing “free” work have evolved into a paying job. But I don’t think it was luck, it was years of intellectual curiosity and a willingness to […]