occupation: housewife

with the beginning of the semester, many people have been asking "what are you doing now?" i politely answer "finishing up my thesis, and most likely be a housewife for awhile". sometimes, i've been faced with an awkward pause. it seems like they're not sure if i'm joking, or if i'm not, why i would want to be a housewife. granted i'm not planning to be a housewife for a prolonged period as i'm looking for a job, but it's not something i mind doing. as i talk with more people about it, i find myself in two modes--not caring what others think or feeling pressure of what i "ought" to do. i generally try to be in the not caring what others think", but there when i feel real pressure to get a job related to my degrees and pursuing some illustrious career.

in the end, i let those pressures pass me by. i do not see my education as a waste, even though i might not go into industry. i realize that God has taught me many valuable lessons and skills through my time at school that i can apply to many areas of my life, no matter what i choose as my occupation. some things that i've learned since i started undergrad are: self-worth, finding my identity in Christ, working outside of my comfort zone, thinking analytically, becoming a better writer, refining my organization abilities, learning to communicate effectively, becoming a better teacher, and finding out my passions in life.

college and grad school has definitely opened up many doors in my life, but i've learned that i don't always have to go through the ones that most people take. :)