I read Randy Pausch's book, The Last Lecture, and now I want to revisit my childhood dreams. I know that when I was about six years old I couldn't decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wanted to be everything and anything that was meaningful, glamorous, fun, adventurous, and exciting. I remember writing a list in a little "school days" memory book that my grandmother had given me for Christmas when I was in the first grade. Here is what I wrote in the "what I want to be when I grow up" column: ice skater, model, actress, and teacher. You know what? I've pretty much done all of those things now. Ice skating was a fun thing that I did, but I somehow knew I wouldn't make the Olympic cut. However, I took lessons and learned a new appreciation for the Olympic athletes! As for modeling, I have been in a few fashion shows. I was not a professional model, but I liked pretending to be as I walked down a runway. I did win my college pageant, which was sort of like modeling, but not really. I did get a tiara and a huge bouquet of roses, and who can forget . . . are you ready . . . a TITLE! I was Miss ETBU! So exciting. For a few years I sold cosmetics and constantly looked for "models" to add to my portfolio of make-overs! I modeled clothing for a couple of department stores and my "pay" was a discount on the clothes! Hey, I didn't put SUPER-model on my list when I was in the first grade. I don't even think the world know what a super-model was yet. Anyway, I have been a professional actress. I was paid non-union wages for a movie I was barely in. I was only 16 years old, and I was shocked when my five days of movie work paycheck was triple what I made at my after school job. At least I can say that I was a professional actress once! And now, after twenty years of searching, job-hopping, and dealing with my Peter Pan Syndrome of not actually wanting to grow up, I decided I would become a teacher. My little six year old self really did want to be a teacher! I fought it for a long time because my dad was a principal. I had heard a lot of teacher horror stories! I cried when I had to go to parent-teacher conferences for my own children. Those teachers were so intimidating. Even though I was afraid of many teachers, I was also inspired by a few great ones; and I have loved my new teaching career so far!
Dream on!
