I’ve been on this extended life-changing journey for almost 6 years now. After I decided to leave my dot-com family in 2004, I have worked a succession of diverse jobs, some amazingly surreal as a host for a nightclub, eye-opening adventures in the world of sports, and some just a blip of a job on the radar. Last year, when yet again, I was in a position that I thought I could make a go at it, I was finally, completely honest with myself. This isn’t my course anymore. I can’t keep throwing myself in jobs that don’t fit my state of mind anymore. I needed to fulfill my creative aspirations. Hence, I’m back at my alma matter again, studying to become an Art teacher.

I don’t claim to be the world’s best artist – - by far! I took my first drawing class, EVER this semester. I feel good that all of my boxes after this midterm drawing they don’t look like they are falling to the floor. I can also now create posters and make pretty type wallpaper after learning some techniques in my Typeography class. I even survived a 3d design class where thankfully, I managed to put together some projects with my limited skillset.

What is really sticking in my mind as we move into the last week of finals is that I’m here, and I’m pursuing something that I WANT to do. It’s not something I have to do. I don’t have to go back into debt again, I could continue working jobs that aren’t suited for me, or don’t hold my interest as much as they did in my 20s. I chose to move forward and pursue a life that is authentic and real and makes sense. To me at least (and I won’t speak for my partner, Melissa, but I can hear her say “YEAH ME TOO”)