Changes.
Recently, on September 27, 2009 I completed my first 5K. It was an amazing experience. I never thought I’d actually be able to walk 3.11 miles in one swoop (however, my lovely Nike+ companion logged exactly 3.93 miles). It was great. I had my boyfriend of nearly two and a half years by my side doing it with me. There were times that I wanted to give up, throw in the towel and move on. But I had to complete it for me. Just to prove to myself that I can do anything, even in times of doubt. These are the life changes that are so eye opening.. and there’s more.
Going back to college for Early Childhood Education has been amazing. It’s crazy, just crazy, to think that the second time around for a college experience that I’d feel alive in what I’m studying. Sure, studying Graphic Design at Mount Ida College was great, I loved the ability to be so creative, but after I graduated my dreams of being an artist weren’t in the near future. I tried out a few different roles in the same industry (Retail), but never felt like I belonged. I was able to use my creativity when I styled clients at J. Crew, brought out the inner beauty of young women (and sometimes men!) with Origins, and the final departure with a once then ever so booming mineral makeup company. I did the whole Retail thing for a total of five years, but again when things changed – including the economy, I was laid off.
The experience brought on new opportunities and experiences. For example, deciding it was the perfect time to go back to college where my studies would help me grow my new founded career to new heights. Could I have imagined that just in January I’d be laid off, and embark on something completely different by taking a role as an Assistant Teacher with a very, very small day care? No. Could I have imagined that it this point, exactly, that I would have ever dreamed of a huge promotion with a new company be offered to me that I can say, confidentially, I can leave my employer in the dust? No. But it’s true.
The hardest part of it, honestly, is leaving the kids. And the connections behind. I’m delivering the so-called news to my employer this afternoon, and I know it will come as a shock because I play the part of Happy Cristina at all times, sometimes overly happy, but it’s part of the gig. Was I ever happy? No. Sometimes I’d have three shots of espresso in my Starbucks that gives me an extra jolt, but it’s fake. But what isn’t fake is my connection and desire to work with these young children. I’m not ready at this point to break the news to my other coworkers, except one parent who is also a coworker of mine, who’s son is in my classroom and I’ve been taking care of him since March. It won’t be easy. Because these kids, as young as they are, depend on their Miss Cristina being there.
It’s the being there that will be tough. The absence of me will be tough. But that’s life. People come, people go, but not all of them are truly missed. I’ve thought over and over again of how to tell my coworker with her son in my classroom. Every morning she brings her son to me so she can have a smooth drop-off, and go to her classroom to teach her kids. On the flip side, I can’t take the whole thing personal because I chose this decision to leave, and my current employer can not provide me the opportunity and the package of my soon-to-be employer.
I’m finished. Get ready darlings, it’s a new beginning. Well deserved.
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