Hidden in the millions of papers in my 9 year olds Friday folder was an application to speak at the school's career day. I asked my daughter if she minded if I signed up. (I was going to anyway) :)
I filled out the questions and was so excited. I was praying that I would be one of the parents chosen. I remember in 5th grade we had a career day. I can remember what the lady looked like and where I was sitting in the room when she spoke about being a graphic designer. I had a million questions. I remember not even being able to concentrate in class after hearing her speak. I was good at art,I loved it and I could turn it into a job. This lady did it and so could I!! From that point, I knew that art was what I wanted to do for a job. I hope there is some artsy kid out there that hates gym class, and is pretty excited that they can turn what they love to do most into a job.
A few weeks later I got a letter in the mail from the principal letting me know that I had been chosen, when to come in to speak and that they would really like emphasis put onto the training I did to do my job, whether it be college or trade school. If the training was from a university, please wear something representing that school. Easy enough. My daughter was excited and so was I! This morning I filled out one last questionnaire for the day, a program is being made and they wanted me to write down what a typical day is like at my work. I literally laughed out loud. As most of you know I am an artist, but mostly right now a stay at home mom.
I laughed because Friday my 5 year old was having a birthday party and we got some suspicious mail on Thursday that looked like someone was using our identity. I spoke with a police officer over my kitchen counter while I was feverishly making a unicorn cake and cupcakes. Sunday night I rushed my 5 year old to the Emergency Room after she tried to balance a quarter on her forehead and it slid into her mouth and was swallowed. There was a very short while that she wasn't breathing and we did have to call 911. She quickly was fine, minus the quarter rolling around in her. After an x-ray I was told that we needed to wait "until we found it" This means exactly what it sounds like. We will look thru our kid's poop until we find a quarter. A game that is less fun than is sounds. (This is why you wash your hands after touching money :)) So....I was struggling to fill out a paper that asked to describe a " typical day". I had already "checked for the quarter" and had not even had coffee yet. I don't think Purdue University wants to be associated with the truth on this one, so I did the best I could. " My day varies depending on the project I am working on. Some days I am designing things on my computer, others I am painting a mural. Some days I am working on artwork at home and getting ready for an art show."
I left out the endless laundry, the times I clean the kitchen 3 times a day, when my kids are sick and we don't leave the house for days and days. The time your kid will ask if she can use your paper cutter. When you say no, she will ask if she can have it when you die? what? I didn't mention the phone calls with amazing friends. My amazing, hardworking husband, the times when money is there, the times when it is not. I didn't mention how long it takes to unpack at new house. How sad it is to see your kids sad. How a glass of wine with a girlfriend can fix a lot. I wont tell people that at every art show there is one jerk that points out that they could do this, and do it better. awesome.
I forgot to mention that I don't fit in any of my clothes I wore when I was "trained for my job". I didn't say I now know how smart my parents are and wished I realized it earlier. I also didn't mention how a quarter in your kid could scare you to death and show you how quickly life can change. I also forgot to mention guardian angels.
My friend and I always joke that some things were not in the "being an adult" brochure we got in college. I worked VERY hard in college and played just as hard. I got very good grades and had great internships and made amazing friends. I was also thinking George Lucas and I were going to be best friends after he rang my doorbell and asked me personally to work for him (slight exaggeration). I soon found out that being a designer was 10% designing and 90% dealing with coworkers, clients, a disgruntled computer and quickly changing technology. I am not alone in this. In other words every person who speaks at career day will be lying by omission. Yes I became a nurse because I wanted to help people. They won't mention the vomit they clean up, crazy co-workers and Dr's that don't get along with anyone.
We lie because we do LOVE what we do and if we were honest, there would be no one to do this job after us. We don't want to scare them. Sometimes when you hear reality outloud from someone else it sounds crazy. When you live it, it can be so much better than you ever imagined.
So, on career day, I cannot wait to share the highlights with these little chipmunks and I will not talk about poop, or the police, or laundry. I just hope that there is one artsy kid out there that leaves thinking...NO WAY!!!!!
