What do I want to be when I grow up? Eye-poker Extraordinaire?

Hi, my name is Beth. I am facing that question that most people ask themselves at some point. What do I want to be when I grow up? So, I've narrowed it down to two choices; grease monkey or ambulance chaser. Well, to be a little clearer (or PC), I want to work on Jeeps and trucks, customizing them after-market for four-wheeling, rock crawling etc. Or, I want to be a lawyer.

Yeah, those are two polar opposites. And to make it more difficult, I'm chasing these dreams as a military wife. My husband is in the US Coast Guard, and I'm at the whims of the government. They say where we go, how long we go for, and how long we have to be apart. For an independent girl like me, it's been an exercise in releasing my death grip on the control I have over my life. I wouldn't say it's futile, but it's... interesting. Being a Coast Guard wife has redefined my life. But not like others thought it would. An ex-boyfriend, upon hearing of my impeding nuptials, actually asked me if I now intended to be a baby-making machine that follows her husband around the country like a puppy dog. Hell no, and neither does any other military wife! We have our lives too, and this is a blog of my pursuit.

There are days when my husband having a solid job where the pay can only get better is a blessing, especially in this economy. Most of the time he loves his job, and his service to our country is a source of pride for our whole family. The health care, the money for school... There are a lot of benefits. And then there are days when I just want to march right down to the Station and start poking people in the eye. You know, take that Petty Officer So-And-So! And respectfully, you're messing with MY life and I'd like you to show me the paper that I signed that said you are free to jerk me around as much as you want, just because I'm married to someone lower in rank than you! Hey, I said "respectfully". Now would this do more harm than good, yes. And, as my husband so kindly pointed out, would I have to stand on a step stool to do said poking because I am only 5 feet tall (with shoes on), yes also. But I can still have the urge right? And if you are a military wife, of any branch, I'm sure you have felt the same way at some point. I am incredibly proud to be a Coastie wife and I support my husband's ambitions to be a lifer 100%. I've learned to hand control over to him and never get involved with his career down at the station. Oh, the joys of letting go...

This blog serves a duel purpose. I want to record my experiences trying to find my career. I am going to research, interview, try out and otherwise explore these two careers in every aspect that I can. I mean, do I want to get elbow deep in grease all day, or sling mud in the court room? Do I want to hear the rumble of that small-block V-8 or the grumble of the judges stomach before lunch recess? I want to find out. And I hope it can serve as a path for others that are seeking their career, or deciding between two.

I also want to blog about what it's like to be a military wife following her aspirations. I hope to hear from other military wives about what has worked for them, how they have dealt with the hardships and how they have found their own careers amidst the often overwhelming presence of their husbands' careers. I also want to support the wives out there, no matter what path they have chosen, because it's sink or swim out there! Sometimes a place to vent, a person to talk to, a long distance hug, and another Coastie Wife Support blog are the only things that stand between me and loading that darn step stool into the Jeep for some eye-poking.

Coming up... I'll give a further description of my two prospective careers. I'm also going to start with one of those "job personality tests" and see what it says about me, about my two potential job choices, and if those results lead me to believe those tests are helpful or a bunch of hooey. And of course, there is always endless excitement from the Coastie front.