life...and other things

First off, sorry for my absence! Things have been crazy around here lately, but rest assured, I'm alive :-)

To update the 3 of you that read (used to read? ;-)) this, I have decided to pursue my passion and am going to Cosmetology school. Some of you may be scratching your heads and going "huh?" Let me elaborate a bit. Ever since I was about 13 years old, whenever I was asked what I would do if I could do anything in the world, if I could have my "dream job" I would always reply "I would love to be a celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist." I just never thought that I could make that dream come true, because I 'had' to go to college, get a degree, and find a career. I entered college as a freshman unsure of what I wanted to pursue because I have so many different interests, both intellectual and otherwise, but none of which seemed to really click for me. I thought about becoming an interpreter and translator, possibly working for the State Department or the UN. I contemplated going into social work, working for a non-profit or NGO. Still, nothing really pulled at my heart and said "this is what you're meant to do."

To be honest, I really had quite a hangup about pursuing my dream because of all of the support and encouragement I got while growing up. I know that sounds strange, because my parents always told me I could be anything I wanted to be, and do anything I wanted to do. It's just that I was always told that I was smart enough to do anything, and while I hate to admit it, a big part of me thought that I would be a disappointment to the people in my life if I decided on a career in the beauty industry solely because "I could do so much more." I know that makes me sound shallow, but when you're used to hearing how much potential you have, it makes it hard to choose something that to some people may not be the best use of your talents. Luckily for me, I was beyond wrong. My parents were extremely supportive, and are still. My father told me "If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life." Well, I'm loving Cosmetology so far, and I can tell that this is really what I want to do. It is such a liberating feeling to be pursuing my dream and not caring if anyone is judging me for it. Like it says on SerandEz, "Be yourself, because the people who care don't matter, and the people who matter don't care." Boy, is that true. I have received nothing but positive feedback when telling people that I am doing Cosmetology, and in fact most of them were like "it's about time!"

So anyway, that's pretty much what's new with me. Along with trying to have a bit of a social life and stay involved with Jewish life. It's great too because my school is in the same city as the University I attended, so I'm still close to all of my friends from college and get to participate in campus Jewish life as if I were still at the University.


Hope everyone is doing well. I'll try not to be absent for so long of a stretch in the future.

-Hila