Growth Spurt

When I was 10 years old I had this romantic idea about becoming a famous songwriter. I spent 9 miserable years trying to write music and 8 more years torturing myself through music school and meaningless jobs. One job I had was at a science and nature store, where I met some really cool naturalists and paleontologists.

In the fall of 2001 at 30 years old I quit my job and took a state wildlife exam and studied to be a veterinary nurse. I earned an internship at a wildlife center and a zoo. I worked hands-on with elephants, lynx, seals and sting rays. I loved it so much I am now earning a graduate degree in conservation biology. I bought a video camera to film the wildife in my area.

I also bought an easel and a watercolor set and began a blog called "Maya's Cafe" to show my wildlife paintings. I feel literally reincarnated and so happy. And when I make my films, I'll be thrilled to pay someone else to write the music for it!! :)

At age 38, I abruptly quit my mid-level management job in the offices of a Big Defense Contractor to work at my favorite little indie record label, at about 1/3 of my former salary. I got the job offer after using vacation and flex-time earned on the day job to do an "internship" at the label, even though I was long past needing college credit.

I loved that job like I've never loved a job before.

Sadly, the epilogue is that money and benefits became important again a couple of years later, and I had to go back to the corporate life. But I'd leap again in a heartbeat if the situation enabled it.