Captain's Log: Stardate 91406.79

Ok, ok. You got me. I'm a Trekkie! No, that's not a bad thing. My favorite chore is to fold laundry and watch a Star Trek series on Netflix. Right now, I am watching Voyager, and I am in season two. As I just finished folding laundry, I'm still in the process of finishing an episode of Voyager, so I decided to write a blog entry while I finish the show. I seem to consistently be in the middle of one Star Trek show or another. For our second wedding anniversary, I made Chris a quilt. Every time I was upstairs cutting or sewing, I watched Stargate: SG-1, which was on Hulu at the time.

So, now that you know that about me, I figured I would write a little more about me. It's been about three months of not working now. While I've kept pretty busy with volunteering, doing things around the house, and job searching, most of my time has been occupied with trying to figure out the next direction of my life. It's been difficult and a bit stressful. I'm trying to put a lot of faith in God knowing that he will lead me, but I some times think that I may be missing a sign He is giving me.

As I contemplate my next steps, I think about all the other steps I've taken in my life that have led me on so many paths. I've taken on the role of quite a few things including:

• A CDC research assistant
• A waitress
• A U.S. Navy Aviation Electronics Technician
• A Naval electronics instructor's aide
• A lifeguard
• An audio repair technician
• An electronics tester and repair technician
• An equipment lease broker
• An account manager and collection agent
• A Petsmart sales clerk and cashier
• A college student
• A financial aide records manager
• A technical editor
• An administrative manager
• A digital photographer teacher's aide
• A newspaper reporter and photographer
• A wedding photographer
• A project assistant
• A doula
• A SharePoint administrator
• A proposal manager
• A software trainer
• An event planner
• A dog handler, groomer, and breeder

I have had quite a few dreams, a few I've actually accomplished, and some I didn't. I remember one of my dreams as an adolescent was to be an astronaut. I think that dream came about after watching Space Camp. I loved that movie and watched it quiet a few times. I even wrote NASA for information on what I needed to do to be an astronaut. Unfortunately, I found out that my eyesight was too bad to be considered.

Then after watching the Shamu show at Sea World in Orlando, I wanted to be a marine biologist so I could become a Killer Whale trainer. Then I realized I had a fear of deep water and because of a perforated ear drum, I would be unable to swim to deeper depths anyway.

Once I started going to college, I decided to major in journalism because I wanted to a photographer for National Geographic. I've since realized that is something I no longer want to do, but I still enjoy photography.

So, now that I am an adult, here I am again at crossroads trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. But one thing I am realizing is that I don't think I will ever stop learning and growing and changing. I enjoy being challenged and mentally stimulated. Maybe that's why I've been so many different things in my life. Maybe I will never settle for one career my whole life. But there are some things that I will be for the rest of my life and will never stop being. These roles bring me immense joy and fill my heart everyday: a daughter, a sister, a wife, and a mother. Thank you, Lord, for giving me these lifelong, fulfilling roles!