When a door closes, another opens.

Never in my life had I dreamt of being in Austin, texas. Frankly, what’s the attraction behind this city – The enormous population of hippies and hobos that have an incessant habit of cleaning your windshield by force at any stoplights just to prey on a few bucks from frightened drivers or the smell of fried chicken and tacos that keeps invading your olfactory senses? I really don’t think this whole bohemian-like lifestyle suits me at all. No doubt, the mild winters….wait a minute, who am I kidding? There’s no winter here!  It is definitely a plus after living in Minnesota for 3 years that frozen tundra it is! But the thought of having moved from the extreme north to the extreme south is quite a funny feeling at first. I kept thinking to myself, what is it about me that gotten me this job in a Neurobiology Lab? I went to school for a biotechnology degree and gotten myself a job in a field that is foreign to me. Of course, that didn’t discourage me at all. In fact, after a few months, with a personal project in hand, I find the lab’s studies to be very interesting.

Since the chick embryo is our vertebrate model, after awhile, anyone would detest eggs for having to use them on a daily basis. I know I’ve completely given up on eggs. I only use them for baking. Not sunny side up or over and hard….the thought of looking into a yolk to find a tiny little embryo with a beating heart and dark glossy eyes is enough to make me feel queasy. It’s interesting when I tell friends or strangers of what I do, simply because none have heard of chick embryos being used in scientific research.  Soon enough, my friends in Austin began to brand me as the person that kills chicks and mice for a living. 

Two months ago, I received news that my work visa will not go through. Weird enough was that, prior to putting in the petition, I already had a very strong feeling that it won’t go through. It didn’t hit me until my boss personally spoke to me about it. I panicked. I was two months shy of losing my status. The thought of having to go home and be stuck with “the system” was too much to bear. I started looking for jobs. Three interviews at two places later, I was invited to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for an on-site interview. I cannot rave enough about this hospital. I’d never dreamt of even coming close enough to walk past those wrought iron fences! Sure enough, I was offered the job that instant-I call that pure luck! It came right on time too, but I hope I didn’t use it all up and have some to spare for the rest of the year.

I went back to Austin, gave my two weeks notice and my boss was extremely upset. Reason being, halfway through the whole ordeal, she decided to go ahead to process my work visa. I suppose she finally realized that I’m not worth losing. Seriously, at the rate she’s paying me and the things that I do….I think any boss would want someone like me – the cheap immigrant specialized labor! Sadly, I spent the last two weeks staying away from my boss as she kept giving me that stare. Well, I’m just glad I got out! Surprisingly, on my last day, she when I handed in all my work and thanked her, she gave me a very pleasant smile. How odd! I went home, packed up the place and loaded the car and left in the morning.

Fast-forward 2 weeks later, here I am living in a wonderful and beautiful place by the river. My landlords are extremely nice. My job is great. I finally feel appreciated and important! Ahh…I guess all those months of toiling in Austin did pay off!

 

Happy Memorial Day everyone!!