I am optimistic that no one from the Canadian Cooperative Association is reading my blog before my departure or at least they understand.
Three weeks ago I came home to Mississauga, sad to leave my Ottawa friends behind, Happy to see my Mississauga Friends and Happy and to Have my Aunt Miriam with me. Leaving for Uganda already seemed like a challenge.
On Tuesday September 6th my mom, my aunt and I went on a trip to Jack Darling Park, a lake front park in Mississauga, and one of my mom and my favorite watering holes. About halfway through the excursion I discovered that I didn't have my cell phone with me, no big deal I wasn't expecting any calls.
When I got home there was a missed call from a number with a Toronto area code and a message.
The message was from Olivia Chow's office. Imagine my shock to discover a message inquiring whether I was still interested in the legislative assistant position which I had applied for two months earlier (I think the delay in response need not be explained). I called back and indicated that I was interested and the assistant I spoke to said they would let me know in about a week whether I had been short listed and subsequently would be invited for an interview. I was invited for an interview three days later.
My thought process: going to Uganda to work as a peace and conflict officer is a once in a life time opportunity. So is being a legislative assistant in Ms. Chow's office. I had been considering trying to find employment with the NDP on return from my trip but this seemed like the perfect opportunity and offered me some of the stability I have been so badly craving. (I'm tired of leaving people behind)
My interview was on the 12th at noon. I wore my nicest dress and brought a pair of high heels with me in my purse which I put on too soon after getting off the subway and arrived at the office with terrible blisters on both of my baby toes. Sitting down for the interview I was extremely nervous. She asked some very tough questions including why she would want to hire me when I eventually planned to do a PhD (a relevant question which I answered by saying: I can do a PhD any time but I can work for you now). I have to admit that I found the first half of the interview very tense but during the second half I relaxed and things went a little better. I left the interview unsure of how it went, and tried to put it out of my head.
I remained unsure for a week and a half, trying to prepare for my upcoming trip knowing that I might not go. I didn't tell that many people because I didn't want people in Ottawa to anticipate my return when I knew it might not happen.
Yesterday I got the call. Of course the call came through while I was on the subway so then I had to spend an anxious 10 minutes listening to my messages, and playing phone tag in the office. It turns out that at the last minute they had a candidate come forward with more legislative experience, but they really liked me and it was a hard decision. That was hard to hear.
On the plus side they invited me to call the office when I am back in Canada to find out if there are any new opportunities available.
So you can imagine I'm full of mixed emotions and not quite as prepared to go as I would like to be.
I'm feeling nervous about culture shock, and about being away from home for 6 months and what I'm going to do when I come back to Canada. I'm also sad to be leaving behind some really strong friendships in Ottawa.
Yet, I'm excited about my new job and the opportunity to travel and learn again. Tomorrow night is my going away party in Mississauga and on Sunday I'm heading back to Ottawa for some training.
Wish me well.
