Guess what...

Shocked? So am I!


So i did mention that change was coming, a rather big change. Well one day i assume i'm going to be an Illustrator for magazines and books, etc. and the next, i wake up and i'm on my way to become some sort of counslor. Ok, so it didn't exactly happen that way, but the feeling i got when i needed to change my major came like that, very quick and all of a sudden.

So it started with a funny that was published in the school newspaper. I have a copy of it somewhere and i'm going to post it just as soon as i can find it! i'm not sure if i left it in Idaho or it's still packed somewhere.
Basically, it was a "Married Life" funny comic that a student writes and illustrates. the wife is a marriage and family counslor and she comes home after a crazy day, gives her husband a big hug. The husband then thinks, "the best thing about being married to a marriage couslor is that all those chump husbands make me look good."
I laughed and threw the newspaper in the recycle bin. It kept nagging in the back of my mind though.

My Into to Illustration teacher asked us to do some career research for a presentation. I picked Editorial Illustration and found out through the Beureau of Labor and Statistics, well, there really is no career for these artists unless they are extreme top notch. Because there is so many artists out there, and there is a limited job options, nothing steady though. The business people are in charge. They can hire and fire at will. Most artists are freelance artists and have to keep on top of previous clients to even find a job now and then. I realized that i just didn't want that sort of stress in my life 30 years from now. I'd much rather be doing something that involves my many other talents and allows me to have a steady job. So, there again the counsling comic kept popping up in my brain.

I've prayed and prayed to know what to do. Cuz once i received that feeling that i need to change, i need to change asap. I started looking at what other options i had, what the school will let me do (they have a 75 credit limit and after that, you have to petition to change your major, i have 69 and at the end of the semester will be passing 80). I turned to my patriarchal blessing, the advice of parents, i even took a trip over to the LDS family services to see if counsling is the right avenue or career choice for me. I asked a blessing from my dad to confirm my choice of going into psychology to persue a career in counsling (possible emphasis in marriage and family with the LDS family services). I realize that i'd have to get a masters and possible doctorate to get into this field. But i feel it's the right thing to do at this point in my life.

The blessing my father gave me told me not to fear change. Trust in the Lord, and he will guide me to exactly where I need to be, so long as i keep close to the spirit and keep moving in the direction that i think is best for me. He will make and allow the necessary adjustments along the way.

So, here i go! Here's the current 5 year plan:

3 semesters from now (hopefully next April, assuming they'll let me stay for winter semester as an on track student) I will graduate from BYU-ID, majoring in psychology, with 2 clusters in art (Illustration and 2D emphasis).

I will be 21 by then so i can immeadiately jump into the mission field to serve a full time mission for the LDS church.

After that, i'll hopefully will be able to attend BYU-Provo for 2 years and get my masters.

Then it's off into the real working world. Should be exciting.

And of COURSE, if Mr. Right just happens to come sometime inbetween there, i will certainly throw that into the book as well. This is just a rough outline but so far, life is looking good. :)

Any advice or comments will be much appreciated!