The working mom

So I never really thought about what people would think of me being a working mom until I became one. Is it really that big of a deal to have a child and work outside of the home? Apparently it is. I don't think it is, but apparently it is. And I don't have a problem with it (obviously, since I had a child and chose to return to work), but apparently there are people out there that do have a problem with it. Why, I'm not exactly sure, but whatever.

Anyway, a friend posted a link to this article on her Facebook page, and it's too good not to share. It's titled "What not to say to a working mom." And yes, I've already had people say some of these things to me, and I haven't even been back at work for two weeks yet. Crazy but true! I chose to return to work for a variety of reasons, mainly because I love what I do. I really do. I miss my baby girl like crazy each and every day, but it makes going home that much more worth it. Plus, it's incentive to actually leave the office on time every day. After all, work will still be here tomorrow! :)

So keep these things in mind the next time you run into a working mom. We're just as hardworking, caring, and loving as moms who stay at home.

What a day!

Friday was one hell of a day. Let me backtrack... about a week before Winter break, we received a phone call from the Governor's Office. They wanted San Jacinto College to host a governor's small business forum. On Jan. 26. Did I mention this was about a week before Winter break, which started on Dec. 23? Right...

After my heart stopped for a short while, I went into event mode. Lucky for me, by the time Winter break actually came around, a date of Feb. 17 had been agreed upon for the event. Whew! That bought me a few extra weeks! The Governor's Business Forum is an opportunity for small business owners and entrepreneurs to get information from the Texas Workforce Commission on how to grow or start their small business. It's intended to be a one day event with workshops and information sessions related to small business. Great. Easy enough. Not a problem.

And then came the twist... this particular Governor's Business Forum would also have a component geared toward keeping jobs and money here in Houston, especially in the aerospace industry. The event would be held at NASA, CEOs (or C-levels) from a variety of different backgrounds (health, space, education, etc.) would be invited, and the Texas Secretary of State would offer the keynote. It was also going to be opened up to displaced workers in the area, particularly those who may have worked in the aerospace industry. The Secretary of State spoke about initiatives and funding that would be available to help keep work in Houston, and the C-levels got a tour of NASA.

OK... that was definitely a twist. It was like planning two events in one. Awesome.

Fast forward two months to yesterday. Event day. Actually, let's fast forward to Thursday, the day before the event. I was unusually calm, and I even posted on Facebook that I wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing that I was so calm. So Friday came around, and everything went so smooth. The event was great. We had about 275 people there (we planned for 300). It all went off without a hitch!

And I couldn't have done it without this crew:

My team really stepped up on Friday and took care of things - from registration, to room set up, to greeting people, to tearing down - they were amazing! My feet hurt like hell by the time I got home,and I was really really tired, but it was a great day. If you want to see pictures (humor me), click here.

Mascots

So one of the more annoying things at work is that we have three mascots. Yes, we're one college, but we have three mascots. Don't ask. We have a running joke in the office that we should just combine the three mascots and make one. So one of my designers sent me this. I love it. It sums it up perfectly for me.

Birthday

So, these pictures are evidence of what I was greeted with at my office this morning. In a way, it's payback, because I did this same thing to Kyle for his birthday. I should have known...

But thank you to those who went through the effort (even if I will be picking confetti off of me, my desk and the floor for days to come). I love it!

Spring Break!

Ok, so I'm so excited to have a week off of work for Spring Break. I haven't had a Spring Break since I was in college myself. That's what I love about working in education. Whoo-hoo!

Kilgore, Texas

So, here I am in Kilgore, Texas. Ever been here? Me either. But now I can check it off my list.

No, I'm not here to try out to be a Rangerette (much to some of y'alls dismay), but I will go to the Rangerette Museum and Showcase (www.rangerette.com). For those of you not familiar with what I am talking about, the Rangerettes are a drill team started at Kilgore College that dates back to, well, I'm not sure when it dates back to (that's why I'm going to the museum), but they've been around for awhile. That's about all I really know about them. Oh yea, and they're known for their high kick lines. Second best to the Rockettes.

There is a Wal-Mart and Chili's here in Kilgore... not sure what that means, exactly, but it gave me something to do tonight. Tomorrow, maybe a road trip (12 miles) north to Longview, that is, if the guys win. If not, it's on the road again on US 59 headed South to HOME!