Has it Only Been a Week!?!?

Wow, so I got here last Saturday.  I've been here just over a week and already I've interviewed and started a job, of which I am now in my second week!  Gah!
Ok, I guess I'll back up :)  Before I left Bakersfield, I applied in early July for a job as the Assistant Park Manager with Lake McMurtry in Stillwater.  I had already been applying to so many jobs, since early May, some, without even a rejection letter, let alone an interview.  So I just wrote another cover letter, pouring my heart out again, hoping again to get a job that my heart would love.  I turned it all in and about a week later, I got a call for an interview!!!  They wanted to interview the next week but alas, I was still in Bakersfield for another week.  I told them I would be more than happy to have a phone or skype interview, but would love the opportunity to interview in person if they could spare the time.
The newly hired park manager said that would be fine, we set up a time for the next Monday, and I was elated.  I slogged my way through the whole last week in CA and finally fell into Scott's arms at the airport on Saturday afternoon.  I couldn't have been happier.. but no time to relax, I had an interview to prepare for - just two days away!  So I settled in a bit on Saturday evening and then spent all of Sunday prepping for my Monday interview.  10 am came up fast and I biked my way over and met with the Park Manager Grady and the president of the non-profit who runs the park, Scott.  They were great to talk with and I felt an amazing chemistry, as we shared our ideas about the future of the lake as if I were already hired.  I left the interview floating, feeling like I had nailed it.  But, I had had this feeling many times before, just to end up with a rejection letter/email a few days later.  They said they'd have an answer by the end of the week, and I biked home eager to do some work around the house that I hadn't been able complete in the months I had been away.  Finally, some down time to soak up the good and release the bad, play with the chickens, hang things in the house.. and my phone rings.  It's only 1 pm, but it's a local number I don't recognize.  My heart starts to pound; this is it.  It's either 'you were great but we hired someone else' orrrrr, 'when can you start?!'  I answer the phone as professionally as possible and it's  Grady, saying he'd like to hire me and was I still interested in the position.  Am I still interested?!  You just interviewed me three hours ago, of course I'm still interested!!!!  "Oh yes, I really am, that would be so great, thank you so much!"  We talked salary and a starting date.. "well, if it's not too early, we'd like you to start on Wednesday."  Wednesday?!  Like two days from now?!  "Sure, that would be fine!"
I waited until I was sure the phone had ended the call and then started screaming and running around the house.  I called Scott, I called my mom and dad.  I kept screaming and pacing the house.  I had been in Stillwater for two days and already had a job, that I needed to start - 2 days after that!  Talk about a whirlwind!  I thought I'd have days and weeks to fret about joblessness, tons of time to do things around the house that I hadn't been able to since I'd left 4 months ago.
But anyway, Wednesday of last week was my first day as the Assistant Park Manager, and now I am starting my second week after only having been home for little over a week!  So far, I LOVE the job!!  It's fast-past, tons to do and carries butt-loads of responsibility - it is right up my alley!!  I couldn't ask for a better job, in a better city!  Did I mention it's in Stillwater?!?!  Like 20 minutes from my house!  I was applying to jobs that were one, two, three hours away, in bigger cities, yet somehow I managed to land a dream job in the town that I actually live.. everything really is perfect now :)
I am a contributing member of society again, I am in a job a love, with great people around me, I am back home with the love of my life, in a town that is more than growing on me!  Could NOT be more satisfied and content.. This last year and a half has been such a crappy roller coaster ride, and I am more than ready to step out of the crazy current, settle down and enjoy my job, my love and my chickens :)
Thank you so much for continuing to follow and support me on this journey; I am so happy to have you along side me to share all this wonderful news with!!!

Love & velvet,

R