Flashback Friday ~ When I grow up…

 

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I don’t recall what I wanted to be when I was a little girl growing up.

I do however remember very vivid memories of wanting to be an artist during my adolescent years. I was very involved in my art classes in high school and even toyed with the idea of joining the drama club. I think I may have even attended a few meetings but rapidly found out that perusing a dream to be a stage performer was not the direction I wanted.

I had visions of becoming a famous artist and living in a loft in some bohemian flavored urban area with lost of unusual artsy type friends.

Why did you want to be that, and did you do it?

When I look back it from my adult perspective now I think I wanted to be an artist because it was so far removed from anything that had to do with my normal life. It was also one of the only things I excelled at. I was not a Rhodes Scholar or anything. I struggled with maintaining even average grades in high school. Living with angst and family anxiety makes for poor study habits. But I digress. I wasn't the popular girl either nor did I hang with the in crowd. Folks who lived in government subsidized apartments didn't hang with the cool kids. Being the odd artsy girl seemed to be just the ticket to help remove me from the reality of the situation. Plus it was the only thing that I seemed to be good at!

Did you consistently plan to be whatever it was, or did you change your mind often?

My fist job right out of school was working for a small newspaper, not exactly a career in graphic design but it was a doorway. I never really got a job where I could fully unitize my artistic abilities but I did earn a consistent paycheck. I worked at a Graphic Art Studio for several years after I got married and worked there until I became pregnant.

Did you do anything like volunteering or interning to give you a taste of your future occupation/role?

I remember once during my time at a community collage taking a commercial art course I did a small intern ship for a local advertising agency. While I was there I worked with a food stylist. I went to a local fast food restraint and help this woman do a photo shoot for some point of purchase adds. I found the whole process just fascinating. My job for the day was to sort through a massive tray of French Fries to pick out all the perfect ones and toss any that had blemishes or were oddly shaped. Then I got to arrange them in the paper container for photographing. Woooo Hooo for me!

Were you as happy/satisfied with what you became as you thought you would be?

I can’t remember how long I worked at the graphic design studio, but while I was there I had a wonderful time and it was a fun job. I was right there at the very beginning of the transition from pen and paper to the computer graphics break through. I remember working on a MAC when they were first introduced.

When I look back at the experience I can see how God was laying the foundation for me before I even came to recognize who HE was. I was in the mid stages of my pregnancy and I was very much waffling back and forth about weather or not I would return to the workforce after the birth of my child.

Well the owner of our art studio chose this specific time to have a personal melt down and he and his wife had a very abrupt parting of ways. There was a lot of family involvement in the company structure. Can you say nepotism. The husband owned the company, but the wife worked there as well as a brother in law , it was all very complicated. Well the company took a nose dive and things began to unravel and within a few months the doors to the art studio were closed for good.

I was able to enjoy my last few months of pregnancy at home getting the nursery ready and collecting unemployment.

I never went back to the working world and traded my my rapidograph and exacto blade for Crayola Crayons and sidewalk chalk.

I eventually went back to work on a part time basis as an administrative assistant after a very long time away. I utilized my design skills in a limited basis as I designed most of the print needs of the management firm I worked for. Brochures, flyers etc… when the DD had her surgery about a year ago I had to step away from that for an extended time. I have not had the opportunity to re-enter to working world, although I have considered tossing my hat backing the ring again.

Who doesn't need the additional disposable income???

Anywhoo…now I day dream about having my own cooking show or staring a homemade bread company out of my kitchen but that all sounds like too much work for my ancient bones.

Well that’s it for my Flashback, for more reminiscing y’all head over to Mocha with Linda and link up!

 

Blessings

R