Wednesday, July 7, 2010

The Right Path?

As I've said before, I am blessed to have a good job, wonderful co-workers and a great boss.  Even before the whole mess with the economy I knew how lucky I was to have a job like this.  Now, with so many people out of work I am even more aware about how blessed I am to be where I am.  So, why would I be contemplating leaving?  Well, recently I was glancing through an old newspaper and saw an article about a test being offered for a job within the Courts.  It is a state job which means I can
eventually transfer out of Brooklyn to anywhere in NY State.  Since my sister in law lives near Beacon, NY and one of my best friends lives near Saratoga, NY my heart is Upstate with them and NOT in Brooklyn.  Right now it is a two hour drive to my sister in law and almost a 5 hour drive to my friend RahRah.  I miss their company and desperately want to move closer to them.  In addition to the convenience of being able to work anywhere in the state, the job pays about $15,000 per year more than what I make now.  I already took the first step and paid the filing fee for the test.  Now, all I have to do is pass!  The test is comprised of six sections, one of which is grammar.  As all of you loyal people know from reading my blog, grammar is NOT my strong point!   I am 42 years old and actually thinking about getting a tutor to teach me what I should have grasped in elementary school! It puzzles me how I ever graduated! 

Although I am thrilled at the prospect that this job could get me closer to living upstate, there are also drawbacks to accepting the job.  I would not be as accessible to my children.  Right now I have the luxury of being close to home and could be there in 5 minutes if they ever need me.  I would also have to start taking the bus & train to work which truly grosses me out.  I am a germaphobe and skeeve holding on to those germy handles in the bus and train. YUK!  The next drawback is that I would need to buy a whole new wardrobe.  I work in a very laid back office and dress VERY casual.  I do not own anything that even closely resembles "Professional Attire" (I am sure the judges at the Supreme Court would frown upon me wearing my blue capris and "Super Grover" t-shirt to work). 

I have until October to study for the test and hope by then that I will feel better about this decision.  I do not embrace change very well and pretty much dread starting over.  But, I have to believe that fate led me to read that old newspaper (there was only a few days left before the filing deadline for the exam would expire) and that this will put me on the right path to being closer to the people that I love.

11 comments:

Kalei's Best Friend said...

Yep, I don't embrace change too well either... BTW as my grief therapist would say : make a list of pros and cons ( even if u know them) sometimes its easier to see them and it helps cement that decision... and yes u are lucky in these times... I bet u just need a brush up on grammar.. I learned that they stop teaching grammar after the 3rd grade.. The school I worked in said they had to stop that because they didn't have enough time to teach kids, that the state wanted other curriculum covered... can u believe that?

Karen Mortensen said...

Thank you for telling us this. I know you will make the right decision for you. I liked what Chrissy said about making a list. Good luck.
My husband told me that a great golfer said what gave him the most satisfaction in life was that all his family lived within 5 miles of each other.

Anonymous said...

Not guts, no glory they say so good for you to going after something you want. Good luck with figuring out if the pros out weigh the cons and the traveling time, yikes!

Haupi
http://hauplight.blogspot.com/

Brooklyn Book Lover said...

Hi Chrissy,
I have sat down and made the list. I know the new job will be the right thing to do for my future. Still hard though. Yes, I do believe what you said about the curriculum in school. I worked part-time at a school and found the same thing going on.

Brooklyn Book Lover said...

Hello Karen,

I think I will feel the same way the golfer felt as soon as I get closer to the ones that I love. So, I guess I AM on the right path. :-)

Brooklyn Book Lover said...

Hi Haupi,

Yeah, I am not looking forward to the commute. I guess I got spoiled being able to drive to work every day.

OJ Gonzalez-Cazares said...

Hi there, I found your blog in SOW (writer's forums) and I have to say I totally relate - I am a true believer in faith and that everything happens for a reason; you finding that newspaper and following your gut to apply for the new job must lead you one step closer to your true purpose in life. I am passing thru a similar situation and I am sure I read your post today (not before or after) for a reason... signs everywhere, right? thanks a lot for sharing and good luck!
www.castazero.blogspot.com

Brooklyn Book Lover said...

Thanks for stopping by OJ. Please let me know how your situation turns out. I just ordered a test prep book to help me study for the upcoming exam. I am so looking forward to studying and beginning my journey.

Kimberly said...

Came by way of WOW.

I think any right path, is one that you feel passion for. And anything you get from it, along your way is worthy of self growth! Good luck on your new adventure!!

Elaine said...

Change is difficult but it sounds like you really want to try it and if the pay is better that's a plus.

I hate public transportation too. Far too many germs!

Java said...

Wow you do have the same thing going on as me! How ironic at this age in our lives that we have to make decisions like this...and are they the right ones?
From my point of view in your situation is that from what you wrote and from what I've read is that the state job is something that you are excited about but yet you have reservations like the flexibility (like me)...and no one likes change but sometimes change is good! I too am a germaphobe! Just take lots of hand santatizer! Being close to your family will have alot of perks and your retirement from the state can't be beat. I think you should go for it! I truly believe in "signs" and that old newspaper was there for a reason.

Good luck to you as well and we are in this together!!
((hugs))
Java