Careers

Interesting thinking about what careers were of interest growing up. My number one was archeologist. Why?
I loved to dig in the dirt. I used to collect cherry pits that I dug out of bird crap. Had quite a collection. Another collection was rocks. I had shoeboxes of rocks under my bed. Spent a summer with my grandparents in Kentucky and spent most of the time collecting the best rocks ever from beside the creek. I can remember the look on my Dad's face when I started hauling them (box after box) out to the car in preparation for returning home. I actually had a small family of rocks that lived in my pocket for some time. I had drawn faces on them and dressed them in bits of kleenex.(I've never been at a loss for entertainment)
Science has always interested me. Used to collect various spices, vinegar, etc from the kitchen and make potions. (this is why I can't cook) . For a time I also had quite a nasty collection of  wonderful, colorful molds growing in baby food jars. This was also under my bed. It got a bit crowded under there!
When I was about 9 or so, I decided to become a nun- never mind that I wasn't Catholic. I had read "The Nun's Story" and it affected me greatly. I used to practice wearing a wimple I made out of a t shirt.
In junior high I was going to be a writer. I wrote many stories which entertained my class mates. Sent some of them off to Mad Magazine- "Hymie and the Underworld" and "Nuseth Erutearc, the Sun Creature" to name a few. (All were rejected to my dismay)
In high school the plan was to be a phys ed. teacher. I loved and played all sports and helped with the jr. high classes. I was quite a jock. Played varsity volleyball, basketball and softball.
When I went to college I actually planned to be a biochemist and was in pre med.. That didn't last long as I kept reaching across the Bunsen burner in lab- had a perpetually burned  hairless spot on my arm all the time. I found I pretty much hated chemistry even though I loved biology.
Always drew pictures but was never encouraged in art because everyone thought it was a waste of my time. Sold  pencil portaits of Alfred E. Newman in 7th grade for 10 cents apiece.  It was a booming little business. Also some interesting caricatures of my teachers. Took an art course in college and never looked back- it was my calling. I fit  right in with all the creative types. And teaching was second nature. I've always understood kids. Always loved it when younger students would ask me things like "What are you going to be when you grow up, Mrs. Paulus?"  The jury is still out on that one! So glad  I found a career that I loved and continue to love!