Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Finding my path

I want to still blog. But...

I've been trying to figure out if what I have to say is anything that you'll want to still read. Because you are FS people and I am not an "FS-person." 

It's strange, but in a way, you blog-friends know me in a way that is much more personal and deep than the people here do. A lot of the people here don't even know that the whole FS thing was ever even a possibility. They don't know about my struggles with this. That is a huge secret that they didn't know about me and my life. For a year and half I kept it to myself. They just thought I was a flighty, moody, absentminded b*tch, but little did they know, there was a reason behind it! (That's what I tell my husband, anyway.) Ha!! See, you all know what I'm talkin' about. 

I enjoy reading about you. I enjoy reading about your families. I enjoy your stories and adventures.

So I think I will continue to blog. I have enjoyed writing. I guess if it's interesting, it'll be read, if not, it won't. Right? Right.

My husband is settling in to his new job. The kids are doing their thing, school and sports and activities. B reads a ton, he is about to "cross over" from cub scouts to boy scouts, he fences and loves building things, S also loves to read, he's is a cub scout, a soccer player, a great gymnast (training 6 hours a week), and a violin player, C plays soccer and does gymnastics and has just started daisy scouts this year. She's all about the social aspect of any activity. She makes more friends than anyone in our family.

My own next personal struggle has been trying to figure out the direction to take my career/life now that I have some time to focus on that.

I have a BFA in ceramics and an MAT in Art Teaching, but I have decided that I don't really want to go back to teaching in a public school setting. Maybe I don't want to teach at all. So I went to visit a career counselor who told me I "try to please other people" and that I am "good at achieving goals that other people have set for me" but that I have to "find my own path." Um, no Sh*t, Sherlock!!

So, I am looking for my own path.

Path... path...

You out there?

Maybe I better walk the dog. And go look for the path. In the snow.

We've got snow, folks!!! And some very happy kids.

So, I'll keep writing. And I'll keep reading other blogs. I welcome comments. And please, if you've got ideas on where, exactly, I might find the path, let me know. I, apparently, do not have a GPS. 

Here are the kids in our (gulp) 5 feet of snow that has fallen so far this year.




Happy Holidays!! From the I'll Take Mine Family

16 comments:

Consular Hopeful said...

I'm glad you're sticking around. I have been reading your blog long before I started mine and I am not an "FS person" either and most likely won't become one, but we are still part of this weird little community.

Heidi said...

I've been reading your blog and I'm not an FS person either. Just a friend of one who also started a blog to share their journey, which is how I think I found your blog. I'm just a mom of two who used to blog but doesn't much any more. Anyway, I've enjoyed reading your posts and am glad you are continuing to blog! Your children are beautiful and my children are envious of your snow. We live in the Pacific Northwest and rarely get snow.

Shannon said...

I am glad you are going to keep blogging! And if you find that path please let me know! I am still looking for mine. I used to teach, I know I don't want to teach. I don't know what I want to do.

Looks like the kids are enjoying the snow.

Shannon said...

I am glad you are going to keep blogging! And if you find that path please let me know! I am still looking for mine. I used to teach, I know I don't want to teach. I don't know what I want to do.

Looks like the kids are enjoying the snow.

Anonymous said...

I will still read where ever your path takes you. *nods*

Jess said...

Ditto everything Shannon said. :)

Maybe, in addition to the FS blog community, we need a blog community of moms who don't do what they were trained to do anymore, and are left struggling to find their niche in the world. :) Being a mom definitely fills a huge part of that niche, but we need a little something else, too.

Here's one way to look at it--I'm looking at this time in my life as a learning period to figure out who I am in addition to being a mom/wife/sister/former teacher/friend.

Good luck to you, and we'll keep on reading!

Daniela Swider said...

I too am glad you've decided to keep blogging. I enjoy your blog. I am also trying to figure out what I want to be/do when I grow up. Right now my excuse is the baby but I am going to have to figure out something one of these days.

I know with my husband in the FS, my career as it was, is over. I need to come up with something else that's portable and meaningful. So you are not alone looking for the path...

Best of luck to you!

Jen said...

So can't show my kids how much snow you have gotten...we've only had two inches thus far this year, and they are so hoping for more. After two years in Cali, they are snow-starved...and, of course, keep blogging!

Bfiles said...

I too am glad we'll be hearing more from you, and most of all glad to hear the upbeat tone in your recent blog posts. Even though you're searching for your path. You will find it. Happy Holidays to you and your beautiful family!

Destinaish Unknown said...

Why aren't you considering taking the FSOT yourself...?

eve said...

I think many people are still "looking for their path", FS related or not. I don't know if I'll ever practice as a dietitian again. (not that I really care...oops, did I just say that?) As long as you keep moving forward and seeking, never losing a sense of your own curiosity and creativity. And you seem to be a pretty introspective person. You'll figure it out. Of course I think you should get your hands dirty back in your studio and see what happens! Even if it's not being a ceramicist I'll bet all that mud would lend some clarity.

jamieschip said...

E, I could have written your post. (I find myself saying that a lot about you.) Point is, we are wearing each other's shoes (not literally, gross), but you get what I'm saying. I feel your relief, frustrations, etc. Wish I could point you to that miraculous path with all the answers, but I'm having trouble finding it myself. So glad you're feeling at peace with things. I also find myself living more in the "now", instead of the constant FS wonder and worry. Wishing you guys a very Merry Christmas, friend. Take care. (And I'm definitely glad you're going to keep blogging. Us FS rejects have to stick together. ;) )

LeesOnTheGo said...

I too am glad you're going to keep blogging! I agree with you that sometimes we put "out there" what is actually some of the most personal and angst filled stuff of life. And in doing so, build up friendships with others that would not likely happen in our "real life" circles.

So, now that the angst of deciding for or against FS has sorted itself out, we (I speak collectively for your LARGE following of FS folks) still want to hear from you. What else keeps us overseas-dwellerss sane more than reading about life in the states?

And, to all of your friends (and a few of mine) who said they were looking for their "personal path" in life all I have to say is, "Really??? I thought it was just ME!" Glad to know that I (teacher by training, SAHM by choice, looking for a greater sense of purposefulness enhanced by spending money). Tell us when you find a new avenue for yourself!

Warmly,
NKL

Brooke S. said...

Blog friends are blog friends miss thing. AND your blog is fabulously written and hilarious - who would stop reading it :)

I look forward to seeing what you decide to do - I have the feeling you would be good at many many things.

Nomads By Nature said...

Thinking of you and wondering how you are. Miss your blogging!

Noble Glomads said...

I am coming to the party a bit late and I've had an enormous glass of wine but....maybe that's a good thing because I often tell people what I think they want to hear. Not today. Let your husband take the test again. Go for it. We have a colleague who took it 6 times. He is now an FSO! Don't ever wonder what if. You can always choose to not take the job once he scores a 6! Take the leap to lead an extraordinary life. He can do it, you can do it. He has his back up job to fall back on now. Or, tell me to F off and I will. I have walked in your shoes, believe me.