I am sort of a week behind… I blame Addie for taking up my Friday spot with her birthday! But… last week’s blog challenge was my career.
Let’s just start off by saying I am a writer. I wish I’d gone to school for journalism.
Someone should have told this fresh face to go after what she loved to do!
…but no amount of schooling could have prepared me for some of the questions my job throws at me. Except, maybe, med school!
I wish I had a job where I get to ask hard questions of important people, but I don’t. What I do, that I find to be ever-so humbling, is answer emails every week from parents and family members who want to know: is it going to be ok?
The worst part about that question is the fact that I’m not a doctor. So… I don’t know, really. In the past I told a mom to not worry, that it would be OK.
Her child, however, was not born with achondroplasia, as they’d been told in utero she would be. She was born with something else, and her passing weighs heavily on me. Because it wasn’t ok. And I feel incredibly thankful that her mother has such grace and love that we’ve remained in contact.
But yes, I’m just a writer.
In a past life, I was an event coordinator, doing everything from weddings (food to dress) to formal ceremonies. For a brief time I helped owners run a B&B. I did marketing campaigns and strategies. I’ve ghost written and enjoyed the money, but not sharing my mind. I started nursing school and I would love to finish… but I have resigned myself to believe that I probably won’t. Mostly because I can see myself teaching a writing course at the community college when we’re out of the early stages of parenthood. …which would require a different degree.
Right now I work with an awesome local business in their social media department, heading up the blog. It’s the first job that I get to do from home outside my own entity of A is for Adelaide, that I love. Like, really love.
I work when I can to get my posts up on time, I get to research, edit photos, play creatively with the projects and love being a part of something that lets me pay taxes again. Yep. I want to pay taxes. I want to be a contributing member of society. A bit off kilter, maybe, but I like it.
From the LPA Speakers Night in San Diego, 2014
So, my career? The whole point of putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard at this day and age… is to show people how freaking normal we are. I want new parents to do a Google search for: ACHONDROPLASIA and see this blog and think “where’s the info?”- for a brief moment (if you’re looking, there is an achondroplasia category!). I want readers to see that although we have a few more appointments and sometimes when Addie sleeps too deeply I panic, or when she’s got a headache I automatically think it’s dwarfism related (it hasn’t been since decompression)- but this is just life for us. The phrase, “I don’t know how you do it,” means nothing. I do it because these are my kids, and that’s the life we lead.
I’ve acclimated to this person- I’ve made a career for myself, with the writing I’ve been so passionate about since my childhood.
My career is a writer. Advocate. CEO of the Martinkas! What’s your career? Are you where you thought you’d be? Share your thoughts in the comments- and link up your post- below!
Great post today! You’re doing a great job at everything you do.
Jen
Jen recently posted…What’s for Dinner Wednesday: 30 Minute Meatloaf Burgers
Thank you!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
To be honest I had high hopes of being a nurse. I started out in medical school, even received a degree but my life took a turn and I went in another direction. Today I am a writer (which I’ve always enjoyed) but in all honesty I wish I had pursued my original interest which was working in the medical field.
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It’s so damn hard to get to where we want to be… that’s what I’m finding out!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
Thanks for educating us about it, I know I have learned lots through your writing.
It’s nice to have a job where we have to research- always learning!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and thanks to blogging, now I am. I was really starting to go places with it, and then I was in 2 car accidents in 4 months, the 2nd right after deciding to rebrand which meant 3 weeks offline became more than 2 months… I’ve lost a lot of steam, and a lot of enthusiasm, to be honest. I feel like a need a break from all of it, but I’m afraid of losing everything I’ve built…even though it kind of feels like I already have. I don’t really know what I’m going to do, to be honest.
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I wish you lots of love as you navigate these crossroads.
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
And a great CEO you are! I don’t think any of us are where we thought we’d be if we’re being honest. The important thing is being happy with where you ended up!
Dawn recently posted…Tylenol PM Helped me When #IWasSoTired!
SO true!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
I’m absolutely not where I thought I’d be back in the day. If you had told me years ago that my obsession with sweepstaking would turn into a blog, I would have laughed you out of the building!
Jennifer recently posted…Marvel’s Ant-Man Movie Looks to Pack a Punch
Haha! I love that. We all never know where we will end up, where we will be the happiest.
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
I didn’t always have a career nor did I want one. I knew I was going to be a mom. But then discovered blogging. and it has become a career for me. One that I enjoy because I still get to be a mom and be home. But I can still follow a passion at the same time. It’s just become a part of who I am now.
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Me too! I love that!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
In my past life, I was a nurse. Now – I’m a writer too. But, if I could go back and tell my pre-college self – I would tell her to go into PR. I do love my job and wished I was on the right course years ago.
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That’s funny. I wish I’d told my younger self to go into nursing from the start!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
I have also always had a passion for writing. I knew I wanted to do some sort of writing but never dreamed that I’d be a blogger.
Me neither. I love it so much… and all the paths you can take with it!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
She is so beautiful. I love that photo of the two of you. I have learned so much from following your blog.
I’m so glad to hear that! Thank you!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
You are a fantastic writer. I love reading your blog. Keep up the amazing job you are doing.
Thank you so much!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
This is so sweet. I don’t think many people know exactly where they will end up after graduation. It’s great that you have found something fulfilling to pursue.
Liz Mays recently posted…Travel Inspiration | Visa Signature Hotels You’ll Dream About
Graduation is just a platform… I didn’t know that until I was on it!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
And you are awesome at your career 🙂 I love reading everything you write!
Thank you!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
I’ve learned soo much since I began visiting your site. Keep up the good work!
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That is so great to hear! Thank you!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
Go You! Life is full of curves it makes the road exciting and depressing at the same time. I did have dreams of being a nurse. Worked in a hospital for 25 years never as a nurse but in a cancer center drawing blood (Phlebotomy Instructor) and loved it. I choose that so I would not miss my children growing. Now they are in their 20’s and I could go back to school and live that dream but the dream has changed 🙂 Just like life it usually does. Your doing a great job. Your an advocate for feeding babies. You don’t judge but you inspire. You really are more then you know. I know we just see each other in groups but I too am a fan 🙂
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Thank you so much, Laura!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
Love your post! One thing that I have learned growing up is that nothing always goes as planned. I always imagined myself to be a workaholic, but moving across country, getting married, and having a family, I am now a stay at home mom, and I love it! It took some adjustment, especially financially, but we make it work. It’s so worth it being able to watch my daughter grow up. Time flies.
Allie D. recently posted…Two Ingredient Edible Finger Paint
Plans are just suggestions now… they used to be gospel to me!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
I always loved writing and am so glad I found a job that allows me to do that! I love reading your blog!
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Thank you!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
I think, too, writing helps people vent in a way they wouldn’t be able to to another person. You write wonderfully and I hope to be able to read your posts for many more years to come!
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Thank you, Robin!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
I think you are an awesome writer. I love how you use writing to express that your family, including Adelaide, is normal just like everyone else’s.
She’s just your typical kid… for the most part! That’s for sure!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
My career is exactly what I want to do, I mean who wants a hairdresser that hates people and doing hair, right? But starting all over again after moving from WI to RI has been the hardest part of it all.
Got spots like a leopard thanks to the home highlighting kit? No sweat. Botched layering from a novice? Pssht, we can make it work *for* you!
But coming from a state that’s huge to a state where everyone seems to know everyone from Kindergarten on up, it was enough to make me quit my one love for 7 months, because after 1.5 years, I expected to have what I had in Madison.
But the struggle has made me tougher, has made me realize that I am DAMN good at what I do, and word will get around, as it tends to do out here.
So I wait, and I do my best work on everyone that sits in my chair, because that’s what I want to do.
Chel, it’s my honor and privilege to have put my hands on your hair, to spend time with you and your family. I’mso glad we have each other.
xoxo
Love love love you <3
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
I had high hopes to become a Vet. Well, after I finally resigned myself to being a fairy princess was not likely 🙂
I think what you’re doing sounds like it suits you to a T…. And the smiling face, lookss like it does as well!
Wait… is being a princess not a thing we can do?!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
I used to have the career I wanted, and live in the place I wanted. But I made the decision to move to another state where hubby wanted to go to be close to his parents. Even with great references and relevant experience, I’ve gotten hundreds, not exaggerating, it’s really hundreds, of rejection letters for job applications/resumes in my field. The same old story ‘we received hundreds of applications, blah blah blah, we’re not interviewing you at this time). I’ve changed up my vitae, contacted department heads directly, and still nothing. It’s like a huge block telling me to go a different way. Persistence pays off is definitely about to not be my motto…I’m not sure what the new one will be because I’m not sure where life is taking me.
I’m glad you’ve found something you love! I totally understand wanting to pay taxes. 🙂
That is SO hard! I wanted to move home, but know here is better for hubby’s work. So I guess I will forever feel like I miss the place I want to be, but for good reason.
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven
I have spent my whole life playing the what do I want to be when I grew up, but traveler and writer were always very high on my list. So I feel like I really do have my dream job
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That is the best feeling!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…A Media Kit for Every Social Media Maven