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2017 Wrap-up: New husband, Job, and Home
8 years ago
2017 was an eventful year for me. In April I married Atrayu, my boyfriend of four years. I was a nervous wreck in the months leading up to the wedding, but when the day finally came, I was serenely calm and happy. Atrayu is the best thing that could have happened to me. He is a steadfast partner, a hard worker, an innovative thinker, and never fails to surprise and amuse me with his quirky humor and unique outlook on life. His loyal, patient love keeps me grounded and his passion for life inspires me to become the best version of myself I can be.
In June I was permanently laid off from my job at SolarWorld, a German-owned solar panel manufacturer. Their parent company filed for bankruptcy because they couldn't compete with their cheaper Chinese rivals. The American factory let 300 of their 800 employees go. Some, like me, had only worked there a couple years. Some had worked there a decade. I really needed to leave that place anyway—the commute was way too long and working 12-hour graveyard shifts while standing on concrete wreaked havoc on my body.
In July I started working at a company that processes and cleans machine parts for semiconductor manufacturers like Intel. I basically stand in a cleanroom all day washing, drying, and inspecting parts. The pay is significantly higher, the commute is much shorter, the work is more mindful, and the swing shift is much easier on my body and brain than graveyard shift was. That said, the company has some cultural and administrative problems and they force us to work way too much overtime. I don't know how long I intend to work here. I feel like it would burn me out in the long term.
In November, Atrayu and I bought a home. It's in southeast Portland, OR, about a mile east from where our apartment was. It's awesome to have a place to really call our own. The location is easily accessible, with many amenities close by, but still in a quiet and pleasant neighborhood. We now have plenty of room for animals, arts and crafts, tooling and tinkering, and hosting gatherings without feeling packed in like sardines.
Next month I'll hit another milestone: turning 30. Here's to a happy and healthy 2018.
In June I was permanently laid off from my job at SolarWorld, a German-owned solar panel manufacturer. Their parent company filed for bankruptcy because they couldn't compete with their cheaper Chinese rivals. The American factory let 300 of their 800 employees go. Some, like me, had only worked there a couple years. Some had worked there a decade. I really needed to leave that place anyway—the commute was way too long and working 12-hour graveyard shifts while standing on concrete wreaked havoc on my body.
In July I started working at a company that processes and cleans machine parts for semiconductor manufacturers like Intel. I basically stand in a cleanroom all day washing, drying, and inspecting parts. The pay is significantly higher, the commute is much shorter, the work is more mindful, and the swing shift is much easier on my body and brain than graveyard shift was. That said, the company has some cultural and administrative problems and they force us to work way too much overtime. I don't know how long I intend to work here. I feel like it would burn me out in the long term.
In November, Atrayu and I bought a home. It's in southeast Portland, OR, about a mile east from where our apartment was. It's awesome to have a place to really call our own. The location is easily accessible, with many amenities close by, but still in a quiet and pleasant neighborhood. We now have plenty of room for animals, arts and crafts, tooling and tinkering, and hosting gatherings without feeling packed in like sardines.
Next month I'll hit another milestone: turning 30. Here's to a happy and healthy 2018.
I am so happy for you.
Happy things are going good.
When are you two gonna come visit us in montana?
Traveling anywhere wasn't an option for me for a few months because I was still in the "probation period" at my new job, but now I can earn/use vacation days. When would you recommend visiting? Montana winters scare me.
The Portland protests were mostly downtown and we live on the east side across the river. We never felt physically unsafe, but the psychological effects of this year's events will probably take a permanent toll.
My father passed away from colorectal cancer in February. Other than that blow, we are doing OK. Healthy(-ish), steadily employed, and counting our blessings.