January 6, 2016

An Illustrator turned Actor to Architect to Magician to.....

Image courtesy: dreamstime.com
What do you want to be when you grow up? How often have we heard this question in our lives? At least in our childhood? The answer to this question keeps changing eternally as we grow up; for we keep growing up eternally.  Some of us chase our dream career and live up to that one dream. But most of us want to become something, study something and end up working as something or someone else.

In my growing up years, I wanted to become a lawyer. Do you want to know why? Because, yours truly had a great habit of arguing and a sharp tongue which I thought was enough to survive as a lawyer.  Later in High school, I wanted to become a journalist. I appeared for the entrance of a law college and got the admission, which I denied. Glad I did! However, there still remains an unfulfilled wish of not doing the journalism course. Whatever! I work as a s/w tester who books and cancels flights morning to evening. Well, my passengers can range anywhere from Brad Pitt to the Big B.

From dreaming on what to become to what I became; it's my turn to ask my kids. Right now, my daughter is very keen on becoming a teacher. She pretends to be one every day and repeats her Montessori schedule at home with us. Whereas, yours truly dreams on sending her to the Senate. Long way to go, huh? Yes, long way. By the way, nothing has changed since this post that had been sitting in my drafts for more than two years. She graduated to an art teacher.

My son keeps changing his options very often which is very natural being the son of this confused soul. Kids his age are already pretty clear on what they want to do.  One day he said, “Amma, I want to become a book illustrator”. Oh wow! The writer in me jumped with joy. A creative son for a creative mom. What else do I need? I said that’s great! "Amma, will I be famous if I am book illustrator?" Ah..well! yes, you will.

While the illustrator in him is put to sleep, he wanted to become an NBA player who could make millions.  And mind you, we don’t lift a finger in the house or move an inch of any muscle. But we sit in the sofa and discuss what shots Jordan threw, how much an NBA player makes per game and if Curry is better than LeBron.

"Amma, is it difficult to become an actor?" Long answer short, you need to have someone in the film industry. He then went over an extensive list of actors/actresses, comedians and how each of them became a film star. There were even attempts at becoming a director and that deserves a separate post. :-)

We were building our first home and the house was always filled with discussions regarding the plans, tiles, upgrades etc...If not an actor, an architect. He would come up with designs of buildings and even promised his aunt to build her a mansion. Yes, not a house. A mansion. All he does right now is sleep blissfully in the mansion built by his parents.

One lazy Sunday noon while I was cooking for the week ahead, he comes to help me in the kitchen. "I think it's better to learn cooking. If I don't have anything else, this will be an option." It was my turn to look at him in ....... (feel free to use your vocabulary to fill the blank).

Fast forward to an year and half...We were returning from a birthday party. "Amma, how much money do you think a magician will make?" Ehh..."A Magician?" Aahh...now it rings a bell...there was a magician at the Birthday party. "Oh boy!!"

Won't you tell me what you wanted to be when you grew up?

27 comments:

  1. Good one! I wanted to become a lawyer too when I was small but all the telugu movies scared me :).

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    1. Hahaha...I think rather I was influenced by the Telugu movies to become one.

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  2. This kind of conversation happens 24*7 in my home...thanks to the many professionals the kiddo bumps into ;) In a way, it is good they are aware of the many means to earn/job. Back in our days...it was either an engineer or a doctor :P

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    1. True. It was either an engineer or a doctor or a teacher..haha...oh ya, they know more means of living than we think they do. Welcome here, Ruchira :)

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  3. Ha ha ha...this happens all the time at home. Currently the elder wants to be Piku, her Dad's Perfect daughter. And the little one wants to make lots and lots of money by selling her drawing and then buy a pair of earrings for her mom. I had always wanted to be a homemaker with two daughters. I am living my dream I would say. :-) Happy New Year, Prudhvi! :-)

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    1. Hahaha...how cute of her. eheh...just a pair of earrings? that's all...:)Show us some of her pictures. somehow, I never imagined to be a home maker, but I completely enjoy by being one. Happy new year to all you too, Rekha :)

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  4. Same pinch Prudhvi, I wanted to be a lawyer too....and yes for the same reasons :) As for the kids yes, their dreams keep changing

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    1. So many lawyers missed in the making..oh ya...at the end, they will end up running lives like all of us :)

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  5. Good one prudhvi !! house hold thing !!! :) I don't really remember what i wanted to be...i never had dreams and ambition to be fulfilled :(!! Girls are all the same and boys too...my daughter always a teacher and sometimes a doc..and my son keeps changing from robotic engineer to formula one racer to cricketer ...... :)

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    1. Akka...how can you forget what you wanted to be? I think many girls love to be teachers..most of them say that. Haha...mee vadilo spark kanipistadi...wait and see..he will do something to make you proud one day :)

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  6. Prudhvi, I think you should tell him, he's free to do what he wants as long as he doesn't blame you for his mistakes :-)

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    1. Oh yea...that's a very good idea..I will tell him that next time :-)

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  7. I have been there too Latha. The older one had passionately wanted to be an auto driver till he was seven and then wanted to be a journalist and an engineer, you know why :) And finally settled for engineer! Give him time, and make a career chart for him. This is the right time to do it. Ahem....will tell you how for a consultation fee :D :D

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    1. Auto driver, bus ticket collector, train driver..I have seen many boys wanting to become one of these people. :) Oh..he too wanted to be a journalist like me. Career chart sounds interesting. haha...tell me what you want for a consultation fee :P

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  8. ahhh... such a sweet and nostalgic post! I was nodding and smiling after reading every single line. I was thinking about a post along similar lines that I had written a while ago.

    You touched several cords here and took me back to my childhood days. I was so fascinated by Einstein that I wanted to be a scientist. Along came Byomkesh Bakshi in the 90s and I wanted to be a detective. Now the only related thing I do is write detective stories. :P

    And yeah.. now the same thing will start again for Maya. :) Lovely post! :)

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    1. There can't be a better compliment than a reader saying that my post touched many cords :) Thank you, Raj! hehe Byomkesh Bakshi...you know, we just saw the movie this Saturday night. All along, Rushi had been eating my head with questions. Now I am wondering, how come he didn't ask me how much money will a detective make? Your stories are always interesting. I am yet to complete your current one.
      Wait and see what the magic girl has in store for you. Be prepared! :D

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    2. HA HA... I am sure you are going to get that question soon. :) btw... watch the old Byomkesh series if you can. It is amazing. :) Yeah... i am waiting for my lil one to bombard me with questions. I have a few more years on my side though. ;)

      Lovely post really. :)

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    3. ya right..wait wait...one day you will shut your ears and run away....or ask her, "Maya, can you please keep quiet for 5 mins?" just 5 mins? I used to watch it when I was a kid. I forgot the stories now. I think you tube has them. I have a plan to watch all of them anyhow. Will start seeing them slowly :) Thx for the reminder.

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  9. Awesome post Latha Jee..I hear you..చదువుతున్నంత సేపు నవ్వుతూనే ఉన్నాను :)

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    1. Hahaha....mee buddodu kooda neeku edo oka story vinipistane undi undali kada...emavuta antunnadu?

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  10. Loved this post Latha as even after working for many years I still yearn to don many more hats:) Hope you and kids will achieve lots to take pride in! Best wishes to you and family, and will surely write a bigger post on my travel, as suggested.

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    1. Thank you, Rahul sir. Waiting to visit all those places through you that we cannot do ourselves :)

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  11. This is such a cute post, and i loved the innocence of you and him here. At least, you have been having a good time and there is nothing wrong in dreaming and having a bit of fun!
    But, yes, one has to get serious some day.

    I wanted to become and IAS Officer as a kid, and then IITian in college and now working as a Sr Consultant with a great firm. No regrets though...i am happy with what i have become :)

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    1. Oh yes! We sure do have lots of fun talking and joking around. I think he will get serious by the time he comes to High school in a couple of years :) At the end, that's all it matters, Alok. Being happy with what we have become :) Glad you are!

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  12. I wanted to be a wife. It's was very clear in my head till I was 5. Then, I wanted to have my own venture. Anything, anything at all. And, I am living that dream. Btw, being Illustrator is cool. Wondering, how much money they make?

    Do give us a virtual tour of your home once it's done.

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    1. I always LOL when I read this about you, Saru. What venture are you doing? The other day, my daughter was reading a book and looking at the pics, I also thought the same. No idea how much they make :)

      hahaha...you think he will build me one? Come to Dallas...will give you a real tour of my home :)

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  13. what an awesome post! :) DREAMS are all we have :)

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