What I Want to Be When I Grow Up

 

"Education is great... but it's really my creativity that's taught me that I can be much more than what my education told me I am." ~Raghava KKFor a very long time, I regretted the path I had taken in life. I went to college without the slightest idea of what it was I wanted to do with my life. My freshmen year I lived in a dorm with several girls who were education majors. I've always loved kids, so I thought why not? I changed my major from undecided to Early Childhood and Elementary Education by my second semester. I finished college still not entirely sure of who I wanted to be when I grew up. I enjoyed teaching, but I just wasn't fully convinced that that was the path I was meant to take. After graduation, I took a summer job as a camp counselor at a childcare facility on an army base. Summer came and went, and I still didn't have a job for the Fall. I decided to stay on at the army base's daycare and was offered a position in the School Age and Teen programs. I spent the last ten years working with all age groups in my program; infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age. Working in childcare for ten years was never part of the plan. It wasn't supposed to be a long term position, merely a stepping stone. I have always loved to write and draw. I am not sure what held me back from pursuing some form of creative writing or fine arts degree. I regretted that decision for a long time. I resented going to school for education, and I resented my years spent in childcare. Then, something happened. It hit me like a stack of books. This was exactly the path I was meant to take. It was all a part of my journey, leading me to where I am today. I have been building a framework that will lead me to success as a published children's author and illustrator. My favorite part of the day at work has always been reading aloud to my students. I have years of experience in reading to children, in working with children and books. I know what kids like. I know what captures their interest and attention. I know what struggles today's generation of kids are facing and how a well written story can speak to them. In addition to that, I have a fabulous supply of fodder to inspire my writing from all the silly and adorable antics of the children I have known and loved through the years. I no longer regret the path that I took in life. It has led me to exactly where I am today, to this amazing journey I am on in becoming exactly who I want to be when I grow up: myself.

Taking the Risk

 

"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tightly closed in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom." ~Anais Nin
Creating stories, writing and drawing pictures has been a secret passion for much of my life. There are very few who have been able to breach my walls of insecurities, self doubt, and fear. Fear of what? I'm not quite sure, being wrong or not good enough maybe? With the encouragement and support of some amazing people, I have finally built up the courage to knock those walls down. I choose to be happy rather than hide behind a veil of fear. Creating makes me happy; it fills up a place in me that was empty before. There is something magical in bringing something new into the world. It's always been a dream of mine to publish children's books, and I have discovered that the only thing that was stopping me was myself. So this me, putting myself out there, taking a risk, holding my breath and diving in. For those who choose to follow and support me on this journey, I thank you. I hope it inspires you to follow your own passions, take some risks, and achieve your dreams.