After much deliberation, I have accepted an offer for hire from ExxonMobil Chemical. I will be starting work at their Baytown research facility (outside Houston) near the beginning of November in a structure-properties group that works to make a better plastic. (That is, so long as I can get my thesis defended by then.) Mostly they make polyethylene and polypropylene–stuff that goes into plastic bags, car bumpers, carpet fiber, and a lot of other things.
This is a big moment for our little family–moving back across the country closer to family and old friends, leaving another set of friends, starting my first "real job" after 29 years on earth, buying a home…it goes on. It is exciting and frightening at the same time. For me, it will be especially stressful to finish the sprint at the end of this marathon of education that I have been running. Please, pray for us in the coming months as we will be very busy. Hope to see you all soon.
Congratulations Derek. You’re almost there! I’m so glad you guys are moving back to middle America.
Yeah! It’s finalized. You are in my prayers constantly. It is a momentous occasion! It reminds me of our move to Rome after Dad finished school. First house we owned, a real job far from family. At least you will be moving closer to family. You’ll make your deadline – you always do. You may pull some late nights, but that won’t kill you!
Great! I will miss visiting you in California but I’m so glad you will be moving back to Texas! Congratulations on the new job.
Derek, I am sooooo proud of you. I still remember holding and loving on you as a baby…my very first nephew! It is really hard to grasp that you are an adult, a husband, and a father…twice!…and now a phD…WOW! Makes me feel old. And now for a word of advice….wanted or not…. You will be going from near poverty to a respectable wage earner. Don’t go money-crazy. Buy a small house at first. You have the rest of your life to upgrade to a bigger home and buy more furniture and STUFF…and then donate more STUFF to Goodwill because you have too much STUFF. Start a college fund for the kids, it’ll be here before you know it. Keep a vacation fund, you’ll really enjoy travelling–gets you away from all your STUFF. Having money in the bank is a lot more satisfying than “keeping up with the Joneses”.
xoxoxo Kathy