TOP's Tuesday: Clue #3 Something Totally NEW!

In 1988, I started the adventure of zoning on a college major. The one I said I would NOT do was teaching. All of you laughing, please stop, okay, keep laughing. Why the outburst of laughter? It's simple, do you know how I spend my days? I work as a teacher's assistant at the local school district and love, love, love my job. The past couple years I've been in Kindergarten and just love their energy, excitement, and sponge-like-desire to learn. 

Why didn't I look for a school offering education after graduation? I'm not really sure but I honestly didn't think I wanted to teach like the three generations before me. I wanted to do something creative and fun. (I just heard more laughter because teaching is 24/7 creativity and fun!)

My initial major was "advertising design". For those young pups reading the blog, that's anyone like twenty-five and under...advertising design didn't involve computers or technology. This was the stone age after the Flintstones, we had to take the ideas in our head and transpose them to paper using pencil, paper, crayons, paints, oil pastels, and etc. It was a degree of art classes accompanied by marketing and electives.

I have a creative side and enjoy using it but never anticipate the magnitude of art skills necessary. Less than five weeks into the first semester, the sketching professor suggested I talk with my advisor about possibly switching my major. I reasoned with both the professors and my advisor about my desire to do advertising. They agreed my creativity and ability to come up with great ideas was excellent. 

My marketing ideas and plans were top too BUT...the drawing...well...let's just say my fruit looked like it sat on the counter too long. I agreed with them about my weak drawing skills and thought extra classes or tutoring could help but the field was growing so fast at the time, I was leaps and bounds behind my peers. Most came with art backgrounds, which they used as a spring board, a board I was lacking. I took the advice of the professionals and my parents, switching majors. 

I chose business communications because it was easy and I was able to catch up rather quickly. This allowed my electives to still qualify towards my degree. If only there was the technology of today back in the 80's, I think I would of rocked the advertising design but I wasn't meant to be in an office, the classroom is a perfect fit and I'm glad I figured it out, even if I was an adult when I returned to school for my Associates in Humanities and my Bachelors in English and Professional Writing. Lessons learned.

So why have I told you any of this? Well, the announcement I'll reveal next Tuesday utilized the inner-creativity I was starting to expand twenty-five years ago. Let me see how much can I tell you without revealing the surprise. I could list my shopping list: watercolors, water color paint brushes, starter paint tray, and water color paper. Mags is always sketching so rather than wasting money on something that is already in our house, I asked to borrow one of her drawing pencils and the special eraser. She was gracious and said yes, phew. Her initial comment, "You sketch?" triggered the above story. She enjoyed it so much, especially the part that it wasn't mostly technology usage.

---

One week from today you will find out what the big announcement is. I've thought about sharing it sooner but really want the kiddos at school to be the first to hear and see. This has been a fun process and thanks to the help of Patty, the watercolors  got better with each of the seven I created. My Aunt Fran asked yesterday, "Why were you taking pictures of the flowers?" I smiled and told her it's a surprise but that I would share when it is time. Taking pictures, painting with water colors, and using my dictionaries...does anyone want to take a guess?

Ed, Mags, my parents, and I look forward to sharing this exciting and first for me next Tuesday on the blog...only a few will know before then. The plan is to have a celebration at the New Haven Farmer's Market one Monday. My hope is to have this date for you next week so you can mark your calendar. You'll be able to stop and say hi, celebrate, enjoy some cake, AND visit the farmer's market all at the same time.

---

Are you excited for next week's big "reveal"?