Where I am At

This post was inspired by the novel The Idea of Him by Holly Peterson. Allie thought she had the perfect husband, until she finds him and another woman in a compromising position in their own apartment. Join From Left to Write on April we discuss The Idea of Him. Join us for a live chat with Holly on April 3.  As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.

Setting was such an integral part of this novel. I felt like New York City was a character it self. This story woulnd't have been the same set in a different city.
It got me thinking of where I live.  I live in a {small} city in California...same place I moved to in 6th grade from Illinois. I had a good childhood here...but couldn't wait to move away!  I can't believe I live here today!

I came back after college graduation-a quick pit stop before my planned move to San Francisco. That move never happened and before I knew it...I was teaching at my then boyfriend's (now husband) first elementary school!  After a few years, I moved to follow my boyfriend in LA, and we got married and settled down. I loved the big city-it must be in my blood-I lived in Chicago my first 6 years.  However, after having our first child, we decided to move back to be near family. A decision that I was not 100% thrilled or excited about (nothing to do with the family!)....but now, it has been a blessing.

 Sometimes life doesn't end up like you planned...but it doesn't mean it's bad.  The other day as I rushed around trying to get my three kids out the door-backpack shuffle, shoe searching, phone charging-it hit me that I am content.  I am happy to be where I am. I love my job, I have a wonderful teaching partner, my husband and I get to spend time together quite often, my kids are great...maybe this wasn't what I planned originally...but it suits me perfectly.  Even though my city doesn't have the best reputation, and many don't understand why we choose to live here...it's home.

The Divorce Papers (no, not mine!)

So this month my book club-From Left To Write-read a very interesting book called The Divorce Papers. It's told only through emails, letters, and files in a divorce case.  Very, very interesting technique.  I still felt like I got to know the characters a lot. This post was inspired by the novel The Divorce Papers by Susan Rieger. Young lawyer Sophie unwillingly takes her first divorce case with an entertaining and volatile client in this novel told mostly through letters and legal missives. Join From Left to Write on March 18 we discuss The Divorce Papers. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.

Throughout the reading, I was thinking a lot about how this almost was my life....the law part, I mean!  I went to college to become a pediatrician, switched out of that quickly...uh, math was NOT my thing, and fell in love with poli sci and law.  Writing legal briefs...love!  Doing my 25 page research paper about a Supreme Court case, spending hours in the law library...love!  I knew that was what I needed to do.  However, getting closer to graduation and hearing my peers start planning for the LSAT, I realized I was getting cold feet. I wanted to be a mom. I didn't want to have a career that full, that busy, that time consuming.  So I decided not to go on to law school.  I'm not saying you can't be a great mom and a lawyer-I have plenty of friends that went that route, though interestingly enough, most of them stay at home now!
I now spend my full, busy life teaching elementary school. I love it-I still get to read a lot, help kids learn to love knowledge and research, and am very fulfilled!  Sometimes, though, I do miss the law field. When my brain is fried from common core, loud classrooms, or too much paperwork, I toy with the idea of being a paralegal. Legal research all the time, quiet libraries, writing reports?  Maybe one day...for now, I will stick to the classroom.
What career path were you thinking about before making a switch? Do you regret it?