I've apparently been trying to sabotage myself with the whole moving + job thing. I'm turning my notice of resignation today, which says that my final day of work at my current job will be October 15 (a Saturday). Somehow I had thought that we could then move the very next day, go 1300 miles across the country in a 30-hour period, and sit down at the new place to fill out all the requisite paperwork in time to make orientation THE FOLLOWING WEEK. (Oh, and my parents have already made plans to come visit us and help us pack things up on that Sunday we were supposed to leave.) My other half wisely counseled me that this was like bathing with scissors... why would I ever think this was a good idea?

So, on more good advice from my thoughtful fiancee, I contacted the new place to ask if it would be okay to push back my start date to the next orientation period (two weeks later), and described to them the reasons why. I was exceptionally anxious to do this, as I don't like the thought of someone thinking I'm a flake or a lazy bum, least of all a potential employer. On the other hand, there's absolutely no point in arriving on-scene completely burned out. Surely they can understand that when you work in the mental health business, taking care of yourself should be a top priority, right?

Fortunately for me, I was assured that it would be no problem to push my start date back, as long as I got in and took care of the required paperwork as soon as possible. The recruiter I spoke with was very understanding about the circumstances and agreed on the necessity to take some time to orient myself to my new surroundings before orienting myself with my new job. So, I can still be done with my job on the 15th, take the 16th to finish packing / say goodbye to friends / spend time with my family, leave on the morning of the 17th, and have a full three weeks' time to get ready for a job I'm already really good at.

I think I'm gonna like this place.