I never imagined that I would be waking up at 6:00 a.m. every morning without complaining. I also never thought that I would actually be writing a novel. Yes, I talked about it, and I had it as one of my long-term goals, but I didn’t know I would be doing it so soon.

I am participating in NaNoWriMo for the first year, and I am now at a little over 12,000 words. The most striking part in all this is that it’s not as painful as I thought it would be. The first day I sat down to write 1,671 words, I didn’t understand how anyone could write so much. It’s true what they say. Practice makes perfect. I now can’t stop the words from flowing out, and I have to stop myself at a certain time to get the kids ready for school.

A writing habit has been formed. I’m happier than ever because I have always wanted to write a creative fiction, but being a Technical Writer for so long, I didn’t think I knew how to even begin. It’s true what Tim Ferriss says. Set the time for your goals at a shorter time, so you feel like you have to get it done, and usually you will. Before, I had that I would write a novel three years from now. NaNoWriMo tailored my deadline to the end of the month, and I am 1/4 done.

I love having two hours where I have time for myself before I have to head to work. It’s my own form of meditating. I have noticed that I am calmer than usual. In January, I hope that I can continue doing this with no interruptions. I try not to read what I have written so far, but I have to say that if I edit it, I can see this being a published novel. I know I am getting ahead of myself, but I am just filled with excitement.

Photo Detail: Travel Gear Set 2: Shoot, Think, Write, originally uploaded by Patrick Ng.

I was on the plan to Tampa between an antisocial guy and a man who kept drinking rum and diet Coke. It was a trip that I didn’t want to go on because I hate leaving the kids for longer than two days, but now I am kind of glad that I am here. Side rant: I’m a little disappointed that US Airways doesn’t have Wifi on their flights, but I heard in 2010 that they will. In a way, it doesn’t matter because the bulky work PC laptop that I have to drag around would have just been a pain (it’s currently in the bin above me). Knowing me, I would have probably smacked one of the guys next to me on the head and then had him give me dirty looks the entire 2.5 hours. When I’m not working, I wonder what I will be doing to pass the time. The hotel shuttle driver said that he would take me to the malls and restaurants if he doesn’t have to pick up/drop off people at the airport. I know that I am going to do some shopping while I am here. When I’m on the plane, I always reflect about my life. Life looks good. I remember this time last year, I was hating life. Now, I can’t complain. Yes, the love department could be better, but I’m working on that. A month ago, I joined eHarmony. I tried it once before with horrible luck. I do know why. The negative energy surrounding me oozed into my words. Reading what I wrote, I wouldn’t date me. I updated it, and now I am getting tons of guys wanting to communicate.  Another reason why I wasn’t meeting anyone. Another department that I need to work on is career.  I really want to freelance full-time, but with my company keeping me, I decided maybe things happened for a reason.  I am still looking for another position.  Yesterday, I made my resume public.  I already had four c0mpanies contact me for different positions, so I think by the end of this month, I will have a better job.  At the same time, I am writing my book, blogging, and networking.  I am getting more exposure, so I can’t complain. By 2010, I envision all my efforts this year would have paid off. Photo Details: Downtown Tampa, originally uploaded by doxadigital.

Last year, I was listening to a special NPR podcast, “For Prospective Moms, Biology and Culture Clash,” where they were discussing how women are having babies at an older age.  They indicated that one of the reasons that this is happening is that more women are putting having a child on hold to go to school and/or have a successful career.  However, the age when women are having children is starting to decrease due to technology and telecommuting.  Technology is making it possible for women to have “it all” because more and more women are telecommuting or starting their own businesses.

“We’re seeing more and more women working at home with the computer. We’re seeing the rise of women in small businesses where they can control their time,” Fisher says. “I think even the established business community is beginning to realize men and women were built to work together, so women can have their children when they’re young and also sustain their career.”

When I learned that I was pregnant with Cebastian, I knew that I needed to find a career that would allow enough flexibility to be there for him (and Isabelle when she arrived) whenever I could.  For awhile, I had a job where they were a stickler for the 9-5 schedule and would make you work overtime.  I had to always stress as to which family member could watch him.  After leaving that job, I vowed never again.  My kids were more important.

My childhood was another reason.  When I was a child, my mother was going to school and working, so we barely saw her.  I remember how much I envied my friends, whose mothers could attend plays, field trips, and other activities, because my mother couldn’t.  Don’t get me wrong.  I don’t have any resentment because during my mother’s era, there wasn’t an option to telecommute.

It is something that is also important to me because I am a single mother and don’t have anyone who helps me with the kids.  My ex is practically absentee, and my mother has never been the type to watch my children (unless I beg).Since 2004, I’ve had flexibility and the option to work from home.  It’s one of the things that a job needs to have before I accept it .

Yesterday I went on an interview.  One of the first questions I always ask is “Does your company have a healthy work/life balance?”

The manager said that they put in eight hours a day, and then head home.  However, there are occasions where they would have to work overtime.  I followed up.

“During those times, do you give the option to telecommute?”

She shook her head.

“Unfortunately no.  We do not allow telecommuting.”

I should have stopped the interview right there because I knew that it wouldn’t work.  She said the Department of State (DoS), who they support, didn’t allow them to have that option.  I wanted to interrupt her and tell her that I worked with the guys who ran the networks for DoS, and that I used to work from home all the time.

In this time and age, when everyone is heading to cloud computing, portability, and virtual offices, how can a company not offer telecommuting?  I asked this question on FriendFeed and got some interesting comments.  Rochelle brought up a good point.  Not all professions, like health professionals, can have this option.  This is true, but for the majority of the professions, there isn’t much of a reason to go into the office, unless it’s to go to a meeting (even that is debatable) or talk to a client.

Companies need to keep up with the advancements in technology, and realize that there are tons of pros for allowing their employees to work from home .  They need to realize that they can save money if they allow their employees to work from home. Additionally, they would have happier employees if they allowed this.

For me, I am diligently trying to re-launch my freelance writing business, so I don’t have to deal with this dilemma again.