Do you ever wake up in the morning and suddenly wonder how did I get here? It could just be a symptom of getting older but I think it might have more to do with my son going away to school. As much as I miss him, I'm also a little envious. Not because I never got the chance to do it, I did, but because I remember like it was yesterday that feeling of having the whole world open before you, just waiting to see what you will do. It was a little scary, but it was also incredibly exhilarating. Somewhere along the way though I think we lose that feeling that anything is possible.
When I was in high school, I was going to be a writer. I was editor of the school paper and won some awards for poetry and short story writing. If you looked in my grade 12 yearbook there are a bunch of comments from teachers wishing me well in my future writing career and asking for a copy of my first book! Sometimes it's best not to look at old year books.
My enrolment into University was a rather sudden and hurried happening. At the time, Ontario still had grade 13 for students heading in that direction, so even though I knew I wanted to go, I thought I still had another year. One day I got called down to the office to speak with the Principal and he said that a teacher had recommended me for an early entry program and that if accepted, I could forego grade 13 and start university that fall. Looking back, I'm not sure I made the right choice but everyone knows what they say about hindsight! I was already younger than most kids in my year having skipped a grade early on, and now I was enrolled in university at the age of 16. And I had no idea what I wanted to do. My parents, god bless them, couldn't understand for the life of them why I even wanted to go so I had no guidence there. Since I was old enough, I had volunteered for various organizations working with kids so that seemed like my best bet I thought. I decided to be a teacher.
I absolutely loved University. Don't get me wrong, it was hard. School work was hard. My first English essay rated a C+. I had never received less than an A+ in English in my entire life and I thought it was the end of the world, but after I cried over it, I talked to my Professor and he explained what he wanted me to do differently and eventually I figured it out. Paying for university was hard. I had managed to get a student loan, but it didn't cover everything so I worked after school in a bank most evenings. Was it worth it? Totally. Despite my major, my favourite courses were Political Science. I had never really paid much attention before I have to admit - to world events or for that matter things that were happening in my own country, but that class opened my eyes and I took it as an elective for three years. Sometimes I wish I didn't know what was going on in the world when I hear some of the things that are happening, but you can't bury your head in the sand even when you want to. Most mornings I listen to BBC news on my way to work and some stories they report really make me want to hit something! But in my own small way, I try to make the world a better place. I am involved in local community charities and in a couple of more years when my youngest goes off into the world I plan to volunteer some time overseas. It's something I've always wanted to do. I hold no accord with people who say the world is beyond hope. What have we got if not hope? One of my favourites quotes is from Margaret Mead: 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has'. I also try to pay a lot more attention to things in my own backyard. I have sent so many emails to the Prime Minister's office over the years that I'm sure my name is probably on some list somewhere!
So, I went to University to become a teacher. I am an accountant. : ) The last time I was looking for a job and going to interviews we would get to the part where the interviewer would say something like, "I see you have a B.A. In Accounting? Business?" and I would reply with a smile, "In Education". I got some very surprised looks. One person actually asked me if I didn't consider that I had wasted four years of my life. That got a surprised look from me.
When I graduated from University we were in a recession and there was a hiring freeze on teaching jobs unless you were willing to go to Yellowknife or somewhere equally remote, which at the time I was not willing to do. I was planning on getting married. But I had a really good job at the bank where I'd worked part time for years and they hired me on full time. So I stayed.
From there it was a gradual transition to accounting. When I had my first child I left my full time job but still needed to work part time. My husband opened his own business and the first couple of years were pretty lean ones. He also wanted me to do his bookkeeping. I had an idea of how it all worked, but I certainly wasn't a bookkeeper. I didn't really have the time or the money to take a course, so I sort of fudged my way into a part time bookkeeping job. (Yes, I know. I should be ashamed!) My saving grace was that (a) my employer didn't believe in computers so everything was done manually, and (b) for the first few weeks he really only had me checking other employee's calculations. Between doing that, and the stack of library books I brought home, I figured out enough to get started at least. Over time of course I learned a lot more, and to my surprise found I had an affinity for numbers. Eventually I began to pursue my CGA designation. But to answer that interveiwer who suggested my education was a waste of time: for me going to school made me a different person. A better person. My eyes were opened to ideas and concepts I might never have been exposed to otherwise. And above all else, I learned how to learn. Now I am not trying to say that everyone should go to university or college. We are all a product of our experiences and everyone is different, and everyone needs to find their own niche.
So. From possible teacher to wife and mother to accountant to....blog writer? I guess if anything, I am a work in progress. There are still a lot of things I want to do - volunteering overseas is only the first thing on the list - and I'm no where near done learning yet. I guess the world does still have endless possibilities, if only you are willing to look for them.
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