So, this week on the writer’s workshop I chose to write about being 18 and graduated High School, well, for me I was 17, but same difference!
Lately I have been thinking a little bit about that time and what I would do over, but this post is about what my dreams were when I was 18. At 18 I was a simpleton. What I wanted was nothing extravagant.
I remember that day still. I remember how nervous I was in my cap and gown and sitting with my friends. There were about 8 of us who were supposed to graduate back in 1988. My best friend was a year behind us but wanted to finish with us so he doubled up classes and graduated in 1988 instead of 1989. Unfortunately, out of the 8 of us only 3 of us graduated.
I remember how excited and proud my mother was of me, finishing High School. I never thought I would get there. I remember wanted to do something epic and we could not think of a single thing to do. All the parties were starting at night. We decorated my dad’s car and drove around hanging with our friends at the Wellwood docks and going to Jones Beach.
After all the hoopla, which was not that much hoopla, I had NO idea what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to take a year off from school, so I did. I was always a workaholic and worked CRAZY hours as a manager of a company called Computer Care doing the computer work. That was my first computer job. It was ok, but eventually I left it and did normal teenager jobs.
I only took the year off and went to college, slowly and at night. I actually did pretty well seeing as my HS career was a joke. I was going for Computer Information and hanging out with my friends a LOT. I was only going part time and then went full time. I made TONS of friends at college and that destroyed my 3.5 GPA because I was too focused on friends and not on school.
I remember wanted to backpack across Europe, but that never happened.
I know I wanted, and expected, to meet the woman of my dreams and maybe be married by 25… that also didn’t happen until 15 years later.
I expected to have a decent career in the computer industry which did happen until I realized I wanted to be in the healthcare field and started working towards that.
I know I wanted to move out of New York, which almost happened. I did move off Long Island up to downstate New York. It was my dry run to see if I could move to a new area by myself and make a life for myself. It worked but before I could get into stage 2 and move out of New York, Mom died and I was needed at home for my dad.
I remember wanting to be rich and famous and that never happened, thank god. I don’t think I could handle fame plus I would have become a different person and I sort of like the person I am today.
The things I wanted at 18 were good for the time, and I didn’t accomplish most of what I wanted. But now my dreams are different. My dreams all have my wife in them and, in about 6 weeks or so, our baby boy or girl.
The great things about dreams are that they continue to evolve. Sometimes we accomplish them and sometimes they just become a little different. Maybe I will never be able to backpack across Europe, but maybe my children will. I know I will move out of New York and I know I will accomplish my dream because my desire for it is so strong.
Here’s to hoping you accomplish all your dreams!
My son was like you when he graduated high school. He had no idea what he wanted to do. It took several years of trial and error, but now at 21 he’s decided that he would like to go into the medical field. He’s thinking of becoming a pharmacist but wants to be certified as a pharmacy technician first, both to see if it really is a good fit and also so he can have a decent job while he’s going through pharmacy school. I think it’s good for a person to take some time and figure out what they want so they have less chance of ending up miserable in their middle years.
Thanks for commenting!
I agree. We should all take time to “figure things out”. Sometimes it takes longer than others, but we get there eventually.
Ah to be 18 again. We all had such big dreams, didn’t we? Funnily, I wanted to go to NY at 18, so badly. It didn’t happen because my mother worried about me going alone. I finally made the trip 3 years ago (I’m from Malaysia, so it’s a long way). It’s great that you are happy with where you are today, that’s the most important thing. And I like your perspective on dreams evolving- yes they do!
Well, its great you made it to the US and are happier for it! Welcome! Being happy with your life is important and evolving our dreams is just a part of our own evolving nature!
Thank you for the comment!
It is funny how our dreams change. Sounds like you have good new dreams now!
Stopping by from writer’s workshop.
Thank you for stopping by! I do have good dreams and almost have them into a reality! Thank you for the kind words 🙂
you’re right. dreams continue to change. congrats on the baby. look forward to incredible, new dreams!
Thank you for the congrats! We can’t wait for him/her to get here! I am sure some of my dreams will change when they do arrive!
Thank you for commenting and here’s to hoping all your dreams come true! 🙂
I was a drifter too. While I found the husband straight away, it took longer to figure out the rest.
Slow and steady wins the race, but at least you found the rock and foundation to make your achievements come about!
Thank you for commenting!
Dreams definitely do change! I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life at 18. I did it, things changed, and I’m now doing something totally different, and I’m ok with that.
That is GREAT that you were able to achieve all your dreams! That is awesome and impressive! I hope you are able to achieve all your dreams you have set now!
Thank you for visiting!!!
Dreams evolve as we evolve, and I think that’s a great thing!
I agree. If we don’t evolve than I think we are not learning as we should!
Thank you for commenting!!!
I had many dreams and plans when I was 18 that never worked out but I think it was for the better.
Thank you for commenting!
I agree. There were some dreams that I am glad did not pan out. Sometimes it is better that way, so now I have new dreams! 🙂
Love this post! Gives me hope for a boy of mine 😉 Part of life is recognizing what you really want in it. I’m working on my Bucket List this year and having sooo much fun doing it!
Congrats on the upcoming arrival!
I kinda like the person you are today too… 🙂
I still have a couple of dreams on my list that I had at 18 (17 for me too!).
I still want to write that Great American Novel.
I still want a house of my own.
I have the 2.5 kids and a dog (although if he chews one more thing in this house he OUT!)
And i have that loving husband.
That’s all. Oh, and I wanna be a millionaire, but that will come with the book deal… hee hee. Great post! Keep it up!