What do I Want to be When I Grow up:

A long time ago, I started asking myself this question. When I was 10, I wanted to teach Scuba Diving and math to 9th graders. I had never been scuba diving and I was only in 5th grade math at the time, but even then I knew 5th graders were all snots and I'd never make it through the day teaching them.

At no point in my life have I ever woken up and thought, "I WANT to be a banker." So why am I a banker? I have wanted to be a model, a writer, an advertising executive, a taste tester at an ice cream factory, a veterinarian, and a Realtor.

The one I have come back to several times in the last 15 years is Realtor. I have pursued it enough to get literature, take compatability tests, and contact various brokers' offices. But I have never taken the step of getting trained and getting my license. The idea of potentially no income for several months has always terrified me. At this point in my life I can think of many reasons not to pursue it, and if I miss one I know my mother will throw it at me. But for the first time in my life I have a few months income set aside (unspent child support). I know I would be a good real estate agent. I am exceptionally detail orientated, I have a strong background in finance, specifically mortgage processing, I am extremely service orientated, and I want to succeed. The main thing I don't have that I will need is a supportive family. I'm sure the kids would be ok with it, but my mother will call me all kinds of names, both to my face and behind my back to my kids.

I also know that in a year, I will not have that extra money set aside. I do not make enough to cover our bills and I have been dipping into my savings a little each month. It seems like a now or never kind of thing.

The next set of classes starts in just over 3 weeks. I am going to see if we get any showings on the house before the end of August. If not, I am going to sign up. I would still rather sell the house and move back to Illinois, but I know I need to make a major change soon.