What I wanted to be when I grew up
In chronological order:
A Ballerina - I never really took lessons, but at a young age I was drawn inexplicably to the tu-tu's.
An Astronaut - this one didn't last long, I day dreamed about it for about a week, then put a small cylindrical bowl over my head and realized in a screaming yelling fit of freakishness that I'm slightly claustrophobic.
Miss America - what little girl doesn't want to be Miss America? Be beautiful, get to dress up pretty, everyone loves you, and the crown... oh, the crown. This aspiration was taken more seriously, and I made all the way to Little Miss Arkansas. But my pride got the best of me; I wanted to walk the runway by myself, but I was required to walk it holding my mom's hand. I threw a very public fit, and that was the end of that. By the way, my talent was singing "You're a Grand Old Flag" with piano accompaniment in a stars and stripes dress. There were a few twirls involved as well if I remember correctly.
A Pediatrician - I had a very pretty Mexican woman pedatrician that gave me Barbie bandaids after shots and taught me how to roll my R's. She had giant hair (similar to my own), lots of makeup, and wore bangles. Very exotic.
An Architect - I got my first big bucket of leggos and was hooked. One thing I recognize now, I had no patience or skill for making leggo cars. My lack of mechanical skill and interest plagued the six year old Nikole just as it now hinders the 23 year old.
A Firefighter - I would be brave, dirty, a hero, and I could have a dog.
A Writer - I went through this phase of non social, I hate the world, leave me alone and let me read about other people's nice lives rather than face my own crappy one. This went on for about 3 years. I wanted to hole myself up in a Vermont cabin with maple syrup in the cupboards, a babbling brook that I could frolic in, wonderful little animal friends, gentle summers and hibernating winters. People would come for miles and miles to see the famous writer, but to no avail. I was cut off from the world. The whole thing is very symbolic of my feelings at that time, and although it's a little sad to think about, for those couple of years my imagination was so sharp, and I had such a fantastic time living in my head those character's lives, I don't regret it.
A Doctor / Missionary - in 5th grade the Rwandan Civil War was at it's peak, and there were tens of thousands of orphaned, HIV positive children crowding into tent villages on the tv. My life certainly wasn't as bad as theirs; I should help them. I should dedicate my life to them. (A side benefit would be that I would never have to see my parents again, I could escape my reality, and everyone would think I was wonderful.) I would be happy, the kids would be happy, and God would like it too. This lasted more or less for 7 years.
A Physician's Assistant - becoming a doctor was HARD. I had boyfriends to keep up with and three jobs!
A Nurse - becoming a physician's assistance was hard too! Nursing would be easier, and then I could really focus on patient care and comfort. It wasn't really so hard, but I was bored with science classes. Time to do some soul searching.
An Aquatics Manager? - I did like pools. I had worked at pools for years. I was being promoted constantly. I was really good at running pools. I changed my major to Recreation Management.
What I am now, being a full fledged, college graduated adult: a library worker, a swim coach, a swimming lesson teacher, and master of my own invented bilingual swimming sign language. What I am going to put on my resume: volunteering at a local library, a swim coach to an expanding championship swim team, and the aquatics and physical education coordinator for an international private school. It's all true, and aren't I great? Really, american employers, I am great. So hire me. Please?
What I want to be when I grow up some more:
The director for a local YMCA or similar organization - pools, programs, people, community, health. Enough to keep me occupied and not bored with routine.
And later:
When I'm old and been there done that in the recreation world, I think I'll open a coffee shop book exchange. By then, coffee shops probably will be old news, and our generation will need a place to reminisce about our caffeinated youth. I'll drive my employees crazy by stopping by occasionally, I'll socialize with the regulars, let some artists preform every once in a while, travel when I want to, and redecorate as I see fit.
So there is my life plan. We'll see I guess.
Sheesh, I was just going to make a quick list.
A Ballerina - I never really took lessons, but at a young age I was drawn inexplicably to the tu-tu's.
An Astronaut - this one didn't last long, I day dreamed about it for about a week, then put a small cylindrical bowl over my head and realized in a screaming yelling fit of freakishness that I'm slightly claustrophobic.
Miss America - what little girl doesn't want to be Miss America? Be beautiful, get to dress up pretty, everyone loves you, and the crown... oh, the crown. This aspiration was taken more seriously, and I made all the way to Little Miss Arkansas. But my pride got the best of me; I wanted to walk the runway by myself, but I was required to walk it holding my mom's hand. I threw a very public fit, and that was the end of that. By the way, my talent was singing "You're a Grand Old Flag" with piano accompaniment in a stars and stripes dress. There were a few twirls involved as well if I remember correctly.
A Pediatrician - I had a very pretty Mexican woman pedatrician that gave me Barbie bandaids after shots and taught me how to roll my R's. She had giant hair (similar to my own), lots of makeup, and wore bangles. Very exotic.
An Architect - I got my first big bucket of leggos and was hooked. One thing I recognize now, I had no patience or skill for making leggo cars. My lack of mechanical skill and interest plagued the six year old Nikole just as it now hinders the 23 year old.
A Firefighter - I would be brave, dirty, a hero, and I could have a dog.
A Writer - I went through this phase of non social, I hate the world, leave me alone and let me read about other people's nice lives rather than face my own crappy one. This went on for about 3 years. I wanted to hole myself up in a Vermont cabin with maple syrup in the cupboards, a babbling brook that I could frolic in, wonderful little animal friends, gentle summers and hibernating winters. People would come for miles and miles to see the famous writer, but to no avail. I was cut off from the world. The whole thing is very symbolic of my feelings at that time, and although it's a little sad to think about, for those couple of years my imagination was so sharp, and I had such a fantastic time living in my head those character's lives, I don't regret it.
A Doctor / Missionary - in 5th grade the Rwandan Civil War was at it's peak, and there were tens of thousands of orphaned, HIV positive children crowding into tent villages on the tv. My life certainly wasn't as bad as theirs; I should help them. I should dedicate my life to them. (A side benefit would be that I would never have to see my parents again, I could escape my reality, and everyone would think I was wonderful.) I would be happy, the kids would be happy, and God would like it too. This lasted more or less for 7 years.
A Physician's Assistant - becoming a doctor was HARD. I had boyfriends to keep up with and three jobs!
A Nurse - becoming a physician's assistance was hard too! Nursing would be easier, and then I could really focus on patient care and comfort. It wasn't really so hard, but I was bored with science classes. Time to do some soul searching.
An Aquatics Manager? - I did like pools. I had worked at pools for years. I was being promoted constantly. I was really good at running pools. I changed my major to Recreation Management.
What I am now, being a full fledged, college graduated adult: a library worker, a swim coach, a swimming lesson teacher, and master of my own invented bilingual swimming sign language. What I am going to put on my resume: volunteering at a local library, a swim coach to an expanding championship swim team, and the aquatics and physical education coordinator for an international private school. It's all true, and aren't I great? Really, american employers, I am great. So hire me. Please?
What I want to be when I grow up some more:
The director for a local YMCA or similar organization - pools, programs, people, community, health. Enough to keep me occupied and not bored with routine.
And later:
When I'm old and been there done that in the recreation world, I think I'll open a coffee shop book exchange. By then, coffee shops probably will be old news, and our generation will need a place to reminisce about our caffeinated youth. I'll drive my employees crazy by stopping by occasionally, I'll socialize with the regulars, let some artists preform every once in a while, travel when I want to, and redecorate as I see fit.
So there is my life plan. We'll see I guess.
Sheesh, I was just going to make a quick list.