Everyone's heard the cliche, "So what do you wanna be when you grow up?" and since Ive determined that Ill never really grow up; at least "grow up" in the sense of allowing myself to lose that sense of childlike wonder for the sake of money or possessions or an unfulfilling career. Money, granted, is important in this life, and you do kinda need it to live in this world, but it's not the most important thing. Money comes and money goes.
Misspent youth, a term I think many people can identify with, including myself. I have to admit there is a certain amount of envy I feel for those that didnt have that "misspent youth" and focused on what they wanted and...got it. Those that knew from the get-go what they were going to be when they grew up, my hats off to them. Being an amorphous entity in a world that values the concrete ideals of career and accomplishment has not been easy, and I know Im not the only one. The phrase "Not all that wander are lost" come to mind for some reason. I sometimes wonder what life would've been like if I would ve taken the offer from Yale and figured out the tuition instead of being a frustrated dumbass teenager, but c'est la vie, no use looking back when the future looks far better.
Ancient ruins, exotic locales, scantily clad native women, sipping Mai Tais...sipping Mai Tais?? No, not that part, but the allure of the word Anthropology brings to mind Indiana Jones and exotic foreign locations fraught with romance and danger. Granted the reality of Anthropological work isn't quite as glamourous, but has a reward all its own. And the diversity of the profession makes it extremely attractive for someone like me who at times can be rather schizophrenic in my interests! And even in this uncertain day and age, the opportunities in the field are pretty boundless. Governments, Corporations, NGO's (non governmental orgs), and of course universities all have needs for people with training in the Anthropologic sciences.
Many find their callings at different times of their lives. Some figure it out early, some never do. I feel fortunate that I figured it out when I did, not being too old and set in my ways, but not too young, wide eyed and naive. Now, I just have to find me a good bull whip to swing off of branches while running away from angry natives!
