Yinzers for life

Happy New Year! I can't believe we are entering our fourth year as urbansuburban homeowners, and second year as parents!

I've written New Year's posts focusing on the year past and planning on how to make and lead a better life in the coming one. This year's New Year post is a bit different. The Gillefonds have an announcement to make. You may have already heard, as the news isn't a secret. We have decided to stay in Pittsburgh after I complete my Ph.D. (hopefully this month).

I was incredibly fortunate to be offered two amazing positions- one at Tufts University Medical Center in Boston, and the other at University of Pittsburgh/UPMC. For 10 months, I interviewed for, researched, talked talked and talked about both positions.  It was a grueling process. It kept me up at night, monopolized every date night conversation between my darling husband and myself. Friends and family called weekly, had we made a decision? As recently as mid-November, I was still torn. Reggie was amazing throughout the process, whatever is the better position for you is the one we'll take. We can make anything work. He's right.

I think in my heart I really made the decision over Thanksgiving weekend. It took a few weeks before I said it out loud- even to Reggie. The day I notified Tufts and Pitt, I cried.
For the first time in my life, I have made a decision about where to live based on what I want and what is best for my family. Not for school, not for some temporary purpose always with an end in sight.

In 2013, I will start my first "real" job since 2008. I will start to again contribute to our household financially. There will be a lot of pressure on me. Even with the "fiscal cliff" avoided, securing NIH funding isn't easy, and my job will depend on it. Thankfully, I have great mentors and collaborators willing to work with me, take me under their collective wings. I'm terrified, but also really, really excited.

So with this great step forward, I wish you a happy new year. I hope whatever you resolve it brings you happiness. I'm thrilled to see my amazing daughter grow more each day, to support my husband as he, too, looks for more fulfilling work, and to continue our pursuit of the urbansuburban dream!