Blessings in disguise

I have tried blogging in the past and didn't stick with it so I want to give it a go again! So here goes nothing! I am 25 year old who is happily married to my husband Ryan. We have been married for two and half years but have been together for almost seven years. My husband is the smartest person I know hands down. I am constantly amazed by how much he knows about everything that is going on in the world. I tend to be pretty here and now.  We enjoy spending time together and we are both "old souls". We have a flame point Siamese cat and hope to one day have a dog and a child. In my spare time, I love to shop. I am obsessed with fashion. 

Three years ago if you told me what I was doing right now I would have thought you were crazy. I had big dreams, I say had because they are still achievable but I am not passionate about that path any longer. It is funny how life works out. Three years ago I thought I would be working on my PhD. I was obsessed with becoming the first doctor in my family. So I stressed over applications and personal statements and then I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. I didn't get in and so suddenly this refuge of school that I had known since age five wasn't there anymore. Suddenly, for the first time in my life I didn't have a plan. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a type- A personality who would like for every detail of my day to be planned out before I get out of the bed.  To be honest this was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I realized in the Spring of 2010 that I wasn't passionate about teaching any more. It wasn't something that I didn't look forward to doing. I began to regard it as a chore but since I felt like there was no way I could deviate from "the plan" I didn't think I had any options. 

When my plans fell through I was faced first hand with the job market. Slapped in the face really. Anyone who tells you that the job market right now isn't terrible or isn't tough is lying to you. There I said it. I probably filled out 5,000 applications only to get rejection after rejection. I can't tell you how disheartening it is to know that you are qualified for a position and that someone didn't even glance at your application. I was able to snag a temporary job a couple of years ago and that was a huge blessing. The temporary job opened some doors for me and now I am very happily working at a nonprofit that helps adult learners obtain their GED's and first time students get into college. I have learned that I don't have to have a PhD to make a difference. I don't have to be in a classroom to help people achieve their dreams. It might have taken longer than I thought but I am so grateful for this opportunity.