Work has gotten substantially more busy in 2010, but I already knew that was coming. From what I hear, most of our employees vacation in the summer, spend all fall traveling to conferences and stuff, and hold off on projects until after the holidays. So, once January rolls around, it’s pedal-to-the-metal.

I’ve also taken on the gargantuan task of assisting our academic affairs department (it’s actually just one woman) with her massive faculty search. This isn’t like hiring some schmuck for some run-of-the-mill job. This is a HUGE opportunity for a scientist – a faculty position at a very prestigious university as well as a full lab and a leadership role at our place. Candidates aren’t just talking to an HR rep and a hiring manager. These folks have TWO FULL 9-to-6 DAYS (!!!) of interviews with some of the top scientific leaders in the country. My role is to help schedule all the madness. And let me tell you, I’ve never before felt so fulfilled by merely booking hotel rooms.

And if that wasn’t enough, this week I was also permanently assigned to a group of scientists that I had been assisting for a couple months now. (They like me, they really like me!) I couldn’t even begin to tell you what they do or study. I’m about two PhD’s short of understanding any of it. But if they have a receipt that needs to be paid or an airplane ticket to purchase, gosh darn it, I’m there!

It’s all a far cry from last year at this time when I had to forcefully keep myself from driving off a cliff every morning. It’s a good feeling when you don’t find yourself hysterically crying for your entire commute, fully knowing the misery that awaits. In other words, seven months in and I still love my job.