Isn't it ironic?

No, I am not echoing Alannis Morrisette here.  I am referring to the funny way that the universe works to stop you in your tracks by giving you some plum just when you are eating handfuls of dirt.  Ha ha, you got me, universe.

So, I started the blog series on my life as a McPhD because I was trying to regain some semblance of a ground to stand on.  June 25th marked the 5th year anniversary of my defense and fearing its approach, I began to string some words together to review what had happened in this period and find some humour (because I was sick of lying in my bed and crying at my ceiling while my tears speckled my pillows.  Very dramatic, I know)  and grace (since humiliation is the hallmark of a McPhD's life, a recuperation of some self-dignity was in order).  I was pleased to know that other people actually read these fragments, and found them interesting.  A lot of people even told me that they could relate.  Wow.  Connection.  In the isolating despair of the McPhD hustle, it is gold to find others to share the dance with.  Thank you!

Now, back to the irony.  I got a job. It's true. Just when I was ready to throw in the towel and blog recklessly about every academic institution that have ever vexed me or my friends, one of them hired me.  Mind you, I have not been hired as faculty, so hold the applause.  I've been hired in administration.  But! I am getting paid in real money that gets deposited into my bank account on a bi-monthly basis. I am finally, regular people.  I even get to line up at the bus stop with all the other nine-fivers at 8:30 am and 5 pm between Mondays and Fridays in my appropriate office ensemble.  This, for now, is enough.  No, it's actually ample.  The chocolate frosting on this cake is that I even get to hold on to my sessional teaching with this institution so that I don't lose my standing. (In this particular school, you spend a maximum of 5 years as sessional and you're out.  But more on that later.)

This means a few things for this blog.  I am committed to finishing the McPhD series.  I must.  There's just too much left to say, so keep reading.  Apologies for the lag between posts, but I was too busy caressing my new desk and new file cabinets and new computer keyboard and new ergonomic chair in my new office to do anything else. 

Last, but not least, University of Venus will be posting the first excerpt from this series next week.  YES!! This both frightens and thrills me - like all really good things.  I better get writing, eh?