Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Many things have changed in the past week and half.  On the 19th I graduated from a year-long medical technology program.  The next day, I took the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification...and passed!   On the 22nd, I turned 23.  The day after that, my parents officially sold their house--my childhood home.  It was emotional.  I cried, even as I watched them sign the papers at the bank.  I spent 23 years to the day in that house. 

 

It's silly, but I feel as though part of my identity as been stripped away.  I've always lived at this address, in this town.  I know that I couldn't have always lived here forever, but I always thought it would be my home and my room.  Now I feel as though I have no place to really call home.  

Anyway, after the house was officially put into new hands, we drove north to the new house.  It was about a 10 hour drive, so we didn't get in until late Tuesday night.  I got to spend Wednesday and some of Thursday exploring.  On Thursday evening we set out for Newport, RI for the Newport Folk Festival.  At least one future post will be devoted to my time there.  

Now I'm back, worrying about the future.  I have been applying to jobs since the first of June, and have finally heard back from a couple about possible interviews.  I applied to places in both my old city and my new one, and now I'm torn. 

The city I'm from is very big, with a sprawling metropolitan area.  There are several large, nationally-ranked hospitals and testing centers, many of which are currently hiring.  I do have friends in the area, and at one of my prospective employers.  However, I will have to find an affordable place to live.  Probably with strangers.  I have been burned by both roommates and landlords in the past, and really don't want to go through that again.

The city my parents now reside in is much smaller.  There is one large-ish hospital, but it is currently under a hiring freeze...and might stay that way until October or later.  There are some small community hospitals within a reasonable commute, but few of them are hiring.  The ones that are hiring would prefer people with at least five years of experience.  However, living with my parents would enable me to save up money to buy a place of my own.  I also have many relatives in the area, and have never really had an opportunity to spend time with them.  Not to mention, the surrounding area is beautiful, and full of parks, hiking trails, bike paths, beaches, and delicious local food.   

So do I choose a chance for a better job with iffy housing and a few friends, or guaranteed housing, iffy job prospects, a lot of family, and no friends?  Although the time I have right now is technically a "vacation," it certainly doesn't feel like one.  As someone who constantly plans for the future, this waiting game is absolute torture.

To help fill up the free time, I've started reading Game of Thrones. I watched the first season and half of the second during Christmas break, but knew I wouldn't have time to read the books till I was done with clinicals.  Although it sounds ridiculous, I feel like the choice I have to make is a lot like the one Eddard Stark had to make after Robert Baratheon asked him to be the Hand of the King.  Did he choose to stay with his family, and in his rightful place as the Lord in the North, despite the insult to the King?  Or prove his loyalty, give up the home he loved and half of his family, to move to a treacherous city?  I know he ends up dying, and I don't think the consequences of my decision will be quite so dire, but still...