DECISIONS, DECISIONS.............

I realized that I haven't said much about my children lately. The title of this blog is "Diary Of A Young Black MOTHER"........so, here's a little update about them:

Nicolette told me a few days ago that she is interested in going to college, namely the University of Houston! I must say that I am quite proud, and very impressed. She hasn't quite figured out what she wants to do with her life yet (She said once that she is interested in becoming a police detective), but she has time to decide. I have begun praying and asking the Lord to help Matthew and I make this happen for her. This new attitude she has, I believe, can definitely be contributed to this new environment, and high-achieving school district that we are in.

Angela is doing better at school. She was having a tough time catching up in her studies, especially reading, but she has extended day for two days, plus she is involved in an extra-curricular activity (school choir) that helps boost her little self-esteem. I try to attend all of the open houses, reading/math nights, PTA meetings and workshops that the school has, to show the teachers that I am interested in her education. I also encourage her to read more, and she is checking out library books and reading aloud to her sisters and I. I find that when I attend these school functions, I am able to assess the teaching styles, and find out what issues need to be addressed as far as helping the teachers help my girls, and what I can do to help the teachers as much as I can. As a result, the teachers kind of go the extra mile with my kids, and treat them better. That definitely helps the girls do better in school, because they feel valued.

Maya is a hard worker when it comes to her school work. She was disappointed because she didn't make the honor roll (she struggles with math, just like I did), but she tries really hard to make a passing grade. All of her other grades are A's and B's. I am still working on getting her a Nintendo DS for Christmas. That is all that she has been asking me for, and I feel that she deserves it. But she knows that if the money isn't there for holiday time, I will get it for her as soon as I can.

The airport has decided that they aren't going to 10-hour shifts. Our department will remain at 8-hour shifts, but I still haven't ruled out the possibility of working at the HEC center yet. I have my husband's blessing. He says that he doesn't see a problem with taking advantage of an opportunity to better myself, and make more money, which will help me accomplish more things that I need and want to do. Some of those things are returning to school, getting physically fit again (I am not a big woman, praise the Lord, but I can still use regular exercise. There was a free gym at the call center where I used to work in New Orleans, that I used faithfully), and get some much-needed dental work done. My husband has a lot of confidence in my abilities. He knows that one of the joys of my life is working. I have a lot of energy, I work hard, and I care about everything I do . He supports me 100%. However, when I asked the girls what they thought after explaining to them what taking this new job would entail (less time at home for the first year, and more responsibility), they weren't too thrilled about the idea.

I started doing my own research on what it would be like to work at this place. A few years ago, there were some prominent news reports documenting some serious problems the employees were having at the call center, like equipment crashes, insufficient or short staffing, which caused a lot of forced overtime, and management issues. It seems to me that management issues are a city-wide problem here in Houston. A lot of these complications were brought about by change (in 2003-2004, all of the Houston emergency call centers were moved into this building; all departments (Police, Fire, EMS) under one roof), and the facilitation of the city's union contract. Since 2004, there were maybe three or four other articles written on the working conditions there, and even a city controller's report on how conditions have improved about 50% (in 2007), but nothing more recent.

I know that I will be in for a challenge if I decide to work there. To what extent, however, is not known. Plus, I calculated the "extra" money that I will have the potential to make (not counting the overtime), and it doesn't come out to very much. With the city-wide raise coming up soon, the annual salary comparison for my job and the HEC center position differ by only $600. Again, that's not counting the overtime. I guess the question is, do I really want to throw myself into a potentially stressful environment right now? Am I really that desperate for a "challenge?" I worked in a pressure-cooker situation like that before, and it took its toll on me. I am not so sure that I want to subject myself to that again. On the other hand, I will never know whether I can handle it, whether I will like it or not, or whether this is the place for me, if I don't try it. I am tempted to just go and give it a shot, and maybe ask for my old job back if the place isn't for me. But what if I can't return to my old job? Plus, Matthew says that they will be making some changes on HIS job, probably at the end of this year or the beginning of next year, that will definitely affect family life on the home front. There are too many questions that I have that I just don't have any answers for. I will have to take these concerns up with the recruiter/HEC supervisor before I make my decision. You would think that my answer would be simple, right?

Well, at least I have a week (I am off five days before Thanksgiving) to mull it over..............

Adrian