While I do absolutely love my employer, I really don't love my job. But all that will change in about three weeks, when I start..... <drum roll please> My New Job!!!!

Beginning the first week of August, I embark on my new job/career in distance learning. This job will marry my marketing, technology, education, and communications skills. This is the job for which I cut off my hair and endured one of the most nerve-wracking interview processes ever, and the job that I was pretty much positive I didn't get. My dad consults for the department and was involved in the process, so it was a whole family affair. He had let me know last week that my competition really blew the interview team away.

I spent yesterday morning in the dentist's chair, getting a few fillings replaced/repaired and having my new flipper put in (pending a dental implant for a canine tooth). When I got back into my car, I was pretty incoherent -- three or four shots of Novacaine plus the new flipper rendered me pretty much incapable of normal speech. I checked my messages and saw that not only did my dad call twice, but so did Mike, the head of the division for which I'd interviewed.

I didn't know what to do. I was fairly positive I was going to get the "you were great but we went a different way" speech, and no matter what, I didn't want to sound all lispy and marble-mouthed. So I called my dad, wanting to ask him whether I should wait until I could speak properly or call and just try to get through it, and he hands the phone over to Mike, the boss guy! Shit!

In my head, I'm practicing: "Thank you for the opportunity. I hope the program is a great success. It was lovely to meet you...." etc., and wondering how I'm going to actually say the words. Imagine my surprise when I hear him say "the faculty of ____ has invited you to become our new Director of Distance Learning."

There's a beat while I process this, and in shock, I finally say "Pfthank you tho muth! Thith ith weawwy exthiting newth!"

Poor guy. I'm sure he's panicking now. "Did she have this enormous speech impediment when we interviewed?"

I'm now practically counting the minutes until I get the official note from HR, which will allow me to go into my boss' office and give notice. I cannot wait, if only to finally get to a job where overtime is not mandatory.