2012-01-04

Crossroads

My dear, dear, dear friend is starting a new phase in her life. She'll be a student again after... Let's be diplomatic for both of us as we've same age and say, that it's been a while. And what can a loving and caring friend do except courage for applying, stress over the interview (for nothing, she did perfect) and celebrate when she's in?



But of course make sure, that she has a pretty pencil-case and all odds and ends needed. That being pencils (in many different colors, very important!), a notebook, a ruler, some MOOMIN tissues, some pretty stickers to mark her books and a heart-peck to mark the homework page. All there. In a happy owl-friends-case. But naturally.




This is a wonderful opportunity to my dear friend, and I am so happy she decided to go for it now. It's just not that straightforward to us, the kids of seventies, who have been told not to made these decisions (in this age or at any age after 18, really). We were told (both home and school) to pick up an occupation at eighteen, study hard and stick with the first job we managed to get. It was called a career tube, and it was meant to be a straight line from the high school to golden retirements days. I am not exactly sure if the tube is the correct word in English, but a tube it was - no doors, crossroads or even bridges to jump off.



I think nowadays the teens talk about the career paths, because they've encouraged to get a degree there, work a while here, study some more and change it all over again. And no one judges, they've just called innovative, brave and opportunistic in a good way. Not that many kids actually stay in the first occupation they pick, and it's alright. Because who really knows at 16 what one wants to do in 30 years time? I rest my case.

But, but, but all this said I want to raise my glass to us all, who are (reaching a certain number) not getting any younger and have found the courage to get out of the tube and change the patch. It'll all end up wonderful, I just know it.

Here's to us!

Yours,
Mia

16 comments:

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Absolutely Mia!
Congrats to your friend for going for it and getting it too!! :)
I know what you mean about the past and choosing your career, kids now-a-days thankfully just please themselves and if they change their minds, they just go for it.
So very best wishes to your friend and happy Wednesday to you,
V x
Oh, sorry I almost forgot to say what a beautiful pencil case to set her on her way. :)

Jane said...

What a wonderful new start for your friend Mia. You are never too late to study and what a gorgeous pencil case you have made her. I totally agree about careers these days, sadly the "job for life" careers have long gone and it really is a case of branching out and just keeping moving forward. Very best of luck to her,
Jane x

Teje Karjalainen said...

Dear Mia, you made beautiful present and a great post! That's the way it was. I didn't know what I should have studied - how I thought that I want to work in a bank or office??? How I wish now I had taken an other path! My good friend in Finland studied also again and changed totaly her work and she is really happy for that!
Let's go to enjoy our sewing and felting!!! xxx Teje

Donna -Little Tiny Stitches said...

Here's to us too :o)

Well done to your friend for just going for it!
Good luck to her:o)

Love your gifts that you gave to her too, so pretty and yet practical :o)
Have a lovely week Mia,
and take care.
xxx

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Happy Day to you Mia,
Love that your friend is going back to school. I did the same thing in 2001 and became a nurse. And now I am back doing my first career Dental Hygiene. It's never to late to follow your dream just a little harder!
Love your gift to her, love these Owls and buttons!!
Enjoy your felting and knitting, xoRobin❤

Anonymous said...

She will adore that pencil case - and each time she uses it will remember who gave it to her!
P xx

Beth of The Linen Cat said...

Thanks a lovely gift you've made for your friend and as we're a similar age I admire her greatly going back to study. It's never too late, I know a friend's Mum who when back to study when she was in her 60's and very happy she was too.

Bethx

Mia said...

Hi Vivienne,

I was thinking about this handmade-life for years until I finally jumped in. I think older you get harder it also gets to let go (even you're sure it's the right thing!).... So it was the time :)

Happy Thursday!

Yours,
Mia

Mia said...

Hello Jane,

I know, it really is never too late to study (and my Spanish will start again in a few weeks time :) yippee!) and even the career change is a huge step, sometimes it's a must!

I wish you the most wonderful day and weekend soon!

Yours,
Mia

Mia said...

Hi Teje,

I know, I also have spent time studying things "I do not need now" but I also think that studying is never completely wasted, you'll learn some things for life still. But I must say that I see you more behind a sewing machine than a bank counter too :)

Happy sewing!

Yours,
Mia

Mia said...

Hooray for us, Donna!!

Happiest weekend to you too and many warm wishes from snowy and windy Finland!

Yours,
Mia

Mia said...

Dear Robin,

That's wonderful, I am so happy for your choices! It can really be hard sometimes, I know, but also ah so rewarding :)

Happy January!

Yours,
Mia

Mia said...

Hello Pam,

My thoughts exactly, when she sees the case, she can remember that her friends are there for her 100%!

Happiest first days of 2012!

Yours,
Mia

Mia said...

Hi Beth,

It's so true that it's not too late, not never, and I think friends can be a great help. Mine have supported me 100% in my choices, and now I am there for my friend.

Lovely sewing days!

Yours,
Mia

Helen Philipps said...

That is such a beautiful gift for a new student (of any age!) What a treat for your friend to receive as she begins her course. I think it's great to do something you really want, and have known lots of mature students who have really enjoyed their courses and changed their lives! Have a happy Friday!
Helen x

Mia said...

I couldn't agree with you more, Helen, and studying as adult is really something else! And even it might be hard with family/schedules/even money issues, you're still studying something you love and for you too. I love that idea!

Wonderful Friday to you too, and happy crafting!

Yours,
Mia

Yours,
Mia

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