Ambition

When I was younger and someone asked me what I wanted to be I would say I wanted to be like my mom. At that time she was a “secretary” at the base, and that was pretty much all I knew or understood about her job. I did know that she typed and it made me want to learn how to type.

As I got a little older and began to understand what money was and what the opportunities it would allow my answer became “rich”. “I’m going to be rich.” Doing what? Who knew. At one point my dad made a comment about mailmen making a lot of money so I even thought about being a mailman for a while. That wouldn’t make me rich enough to take care of my parents though so, idea: scrapped.

I went to college with the understanding that I would graduate with a degree in International Affairs (completed Dec ’96) and then work for a company like Coca Cola in an international capacity. I loved French (still do) and wanted to work in a business environment using my French. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I didn’t want to use my French skills teaching kids. I had no desire whatsoever to become a teacher.

Well, we all see where I have ended up. A glorified French teacher. HA! While I do teach Reagan the beginnings of French, I also teach her everything else she is learning. God has one GIGANTIC sense of humor. The one thing I did not want to become is the one thing I spend most of my day doing. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Throughout my adult years I’ve wondered what it would be like if I could have another career. I in no way desire to leave behind what I have now. My husband, two kids and the WAHM/SAHM life I’ve created (with help, obviously) around me are what I am right now. I don’t want anything different right now. But if there were some parallel universe where I could pursue something else at this time in my life what would it be?

I’ve always been fascinated with the eye. It is amazing to me how it works. Would I have the patience to go to school long enough to become an optometrist or an ophthalmologist?  Probably not.

I love to sew, and with enough money and time I would love to design clothes. I have no thoughts of grandeur that people would actually want to buy these clothes from me. It’s a creative outlet that I would love to pursue further. Last year I started Sew Petit as an outlet for some of my creativity. I love both the creative and business sides of it.

I would also like to get formal training in web design. This is something I know I would need to get better at the actual coding of pages. But, ugh, I don’t know how much of the technical talk I could understand or take. There would need to be a lot of hands-on learning, because that’s how I learn best, by experience.

Since I’ve been married and had to take care of the “decorating” of our humble abodes (we’re on our fifth) interior design/decorating has had my attention. This is another area where lots more money and time could lend itself to wonderful rewards. Really, not even lots more money. So much can be done to beautify a house with little money.

Du and I have also had grand plans (or thoughts at least) to be amazing European tour guides. Traveling all over Europe gave us the desire to show others the beauty and history that we were discovering for ourselves. I would be the planner and Du would be the actual history dispenser. My French and his German would come in handy as well. Rick Steves, watch out buddy!

For right now though God has me exactly where He wants me. I’m not rich, I’m not an international Coke executive and I will never be an eye doctor. I’m glad that He is giving me some ambition though. After Du retires from his job (possibly in seven years!) who knows what we’ll do and what I’ll have time for. And who knows if I’ll even still desire these things.

What about you? What do you want to be when you grow up?