My Autobiography: ‘What do you want to become in life?’
Photo: NASA. This is a copyright free image.
‘What do you want to become in life?’ is one question that I would be asked frequently. Some people will go to the extent of asking, ‘What do you want to become – doctor or engineer?’ Hmmm… That was the broad range of limited career-choices every kid had!! But these kind of questions would never deter me from being imaginative.
The rebel that I was (and am), I was seriously thinking of what career option to mention, other than these two. Pretty soon, I decided on a (what appeared to me as a) glamorous career option.
Once (during the primary years), when I was talking to the elder sister of my friend, she asked me the same question. I was actually waiting for such an opportunity. I immediately replied,
“I want to become an astrologer”
“But, people no longer become full-time astrologers, dear”
“No, I want to become a full-time astrologer”
“Think again, very few people choose it and it is not a common career option”
Both, ‘very few people choose it’ and ‘not very common career option’ appealed to me even more.
“Then it’s even better. I will become only an astrologer”
“Maybe you could do it part-time?”
“No”
Fatigued by my insistence, she changed the topic. Even after the conversation ended, I still had my own doubts. I went and asked my mother,
“Mummy, what is the name of the career where they fly in space-shuttles, rockets and land on the moon?”
“Astronomer”
Oh, a small spelling-mistake was about to take me into a totally different career-path!! I didn’t bother to ask what ‘astrologer’ was. I ran to their house and said,
“Akka, it is astronomer, not astrologer!!!!” This time, she was more satisfied 😀
Thereon, I spent the entire primary and secondary years in school, dreaming of traveling to various planets and galaxies. One of my favorite activity was star-gazing. I would keep staring at the stars lying down on the terrace, and think, ‘One day, I will visit all these stars’. No, I had no idea of the concept of light-years, yet. Even after I came to know about it, I never allowed silly facts to interfere with my beautiful fantasies 😀
The hard fact is, I did not eventually become an astronomer. I am sure you guessed it 🙂 These days, I dream of a different career option. I want to become the Ambassador of India to various countries. And I will not remain the ambassador of a particular country for more than 6 months. Let me calculate: 30 years = 60 countries. WOW 😀 😉 😀
Now, don’t tell me that I have to study some IFS or something, to become one. I don’t let such silly facts to interfere with my beautiful fantasies, even now 😛 After those 60 countries, I would prefer to become the Governor of some state and spend my retirement in a villa like this. Ah, the possibilities of life are always exciting 🙂
Destination Infinity
Love the way you express yourself…the small small details you experienced when you were small! Astronomer and Astrologer…it is a common mistake done by many people.
Become a politician first and then dream of becoming a governor…shortcut! No education needed!
Ruprekha’s post shows the most beautiful place I have ever seen here, in India. No other place is like that, I think…full of greenery. No influece of modern times.
Correct. Becoming a politician after becoming the immortal star is an easier route. I know that 🙂
Destination Infinity
I am with you in fantasising. I day-dream about so many careers in spite of having one 😉 In the world of fantasy, there are no degrees, no exams and no competition. Right? I fantasise about being a war correspondent and a hi-fi anthropologist in the Amazon!
So, here’s to our fantasies and day-dreams!
Joy always,
Susan
I might copy your idea of becoming the war correspondent or amazon anthropologist. Beware 😀
Destination Infinity
May your wish be realized.I it’s a beautiful Rajbavan in sylvan surroundings and lot of green looking like a heritage building mostly in wood.Best wishes
I think it is a heritage building. You have a large heart, indeed 🙂
Destination Infinity
I am a dreamer too!!one day ill dream myself of being next dhirubhai. one day ill want to become a agriculturalist!one day i want to start an IT company!!precisely,i really dunno what to do..lol!!but all the best for your ambassador dreams!!
-muthiahsriram
I dream, but I don’t want my dreams to become a reality. Silly facts will slay my beautiful fantasies, then 🙂
Destination Infinity
Great intention to go around the world in 30 years 🙂 Being different and unusual sure drag attention. I too hate such question asked in childhood. If someone ask me now, what would I liked to became was a farmer.
I liked the master plan on post retirement!!
Everyone seems to like the post-retirement villa. Now, I have started envying governors 😉
Destination Infinity
Great Post.
I also dream like you.
Pray for the courage to live our dreams.
Oh, I may not want to live all my dreams. They are just too many and besides, the thrill is lost once we achieve our dreams!!
Destination Infinity
wah wah! awesome possibilities of the mind 😀 ambassador idea is mind-blowing specially with the option for changing after every 6 months.
How much time is it going to take to visit the important tourist places in a country? I may not even need 6 months. BTW, Govt. will pay the internal travel charges also, for an ambassador no?
Destination Infinity
There is always a possibility, why deprive yourself of such happiness. Continue dreaming 🙂
Yes, it’s the possibilities that give us hope. It’s the dreams that give us happiness. Not working towards it!!! 😛
Destination Infinity
“I don’t let such silly facts to interfere with my beautiful fantasies” – I like that DI! I love to dream such things even knowing they might not happen. I mean..what does it cost to dream? I like your idea of being an Embassy to 60 countries! True to the adage of live life King Size!!
Live life Governor-size? 😛
Destination Infinity
continue dreaming
anything is possible and is fun
Yes of course, dreaming is a fundamental right of every citizen. And I intend to exercise my right to the fullest extent possible 🙂
Destination Infinity
What is life without Dreams 🙂
I dream all the time of places I want to visit and careers I want to have …
Really enjoyed reading your post !
‘Career(s) I want to have’? – You seem to be one ambitious person 😛
Destination Infinity
Ah, the possibilities of life are always exciting – HOW true!
If you happen to be the ambassador, you will lots of ideas for more books as well ! 🙂
I will have a lot more ideas, but I may not have the time to write any. I mean, so many places to visit, and just six months!! But, I may write many more books after retirement, sitting in a villa like that. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh………….. 🙂
Destination Infinity
When I was first asked the question, I had replied “I want to be a Squadron Leader.” My science teacher was surprised and asked me the reason and I said, “I want to go out to outer space like Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma”. I was probably in Class 6 or 7 that time. Time changed, priorities changed.
Yeah, at that age many of us would have wanted to become astronomers 🙂
Destination Infinity
As a child, I wanted to become a bus driver, then lawyer, doctor, Finance minister, teacher and now I a writer and journalist. Guess, there are unexpected surprises in life. Beautifully woven post. super like
Vishal
Life is all about unexpected surprises 🙂
Destination Infinity
i am not sure but i guess its true every boy when young wants to become an astronomer but end up being something else!
Except maybe Kalpana Chawla, Rakesh Sharma and a few others? 🙂
Destination Infinity
It’s important to dream. I remember wanting to become a doctor. Not anymore.
Love your new blog look. I am visiting after a long time. My loss indeed.
You dreamed to become a doctor? Your parents and relatives should have been very happy 🙂
Destination Infinity
They say the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams…. so dream…. dream!
Future belongs to everyone, but people who dream might be a happier bunch!!
Destination Infinity
Umm actually astronomer is also wrong. given your description it should be astronaut. both are different people.