When I first moved to San Jose, California, I was a young woman in search of a job. As San Jose is one of the country's tech hubs, I quickly found not only a job but a career. I also found love. I fell in love with someone who shares my enthusiasm for the field of technology in every way.
After pursuing a master's degree in computer science, I decided it was time to start a family. Right now, I am so lucky. I have the chance to balance my family life and work part-time in a field I enjoy. Each day requires me to be at my best. I need to pay close attention to my children's needs, keeping my home in good working order, and getting through my workdays. With help from my husband and my entire family, I've made it all work.
My To-Do List
One of the best ways to stay on top of everything I have to do is to create a to-do list every single week. This list allows me to see what I've done each day and what still needs to be done over the course of the week.
On any given day, I'm checking my children's homework, caring for our cats, and making sure that I have the right work attire. My to-do list is quite detailed, so it keeps me on track.
Right now, we're in the process of upgrading our home. We just finished ripping out the old cabinets in the kitchen and building new ones. They're beautiful, but it took us the better part of a year because we went the DIY way.
We've been thinking about getting a water softener system installed. The water here in San Jose is really hard; there are always rings in the toilets and hard water residue in the shower. It's still on my to-do list, though. Here's the line-item: "Do an internet search for a water softener in San Jose." We want someone to install the system for us; my husband is handy, but we're both so busy with work and the children that we simply don't have the time. You can see how long it took us to do the kitchen cabinets. Anyway, the water softener at the head of my to-do list for the week.
In the Morning
My day starts early. I'm usually up by 7. I have to make sure the kids are ready for school during the week before the bus comes. I have to get them dressed.
The weather in San Jose can change quickly. We tend to have hot and dry summers. In the fall and winter, it can get rainy and windy. I have to make sure my kids are ready for anything when they're waiting for the bus. That's why I put in an extra sweater and keep an umbrella handy next to the door.
I also make breakfast every morning. We're lucky in the area to have access to lots of wonderful, fresh fruit and meat. The Santana Row Farmers Market is a particular favorite of mine. It runs during the summer months. We also like the Downtown San Jose Farmers Market. It's convenient and offers me lots of things I can put on the table fast.
My Typical Day
While there's no such thing as a typical day, there are certain things I tend to get done during the week. After the kids are off to school, I head to work. I usually work a five-hour shift. That allows us to have a second income while still being there for our children in the afternoon. I love my job. I'm tech support for a major regional company. I field questions, solve problems, and come up with new solutions.
I work directly with people who need my help the most. They're happy to ask me about the latest developments and why any given program will help them get their work done better. My company, like so many other companies in the area, allows me to work from home sometimes. That is another perk I appreciate.
As the day comes to an end, I have to get home quickly. I need to be there to make sure that my kids can get to their after school activities. My eldest plays soccer while my youngest is in the band. They need me to pick them up after daily practice is done. I get dinner started before they arrive. My husband helps with our family dinner and the kid's homework; we're a team. Together we make sure that everything is in order each day.
