by MAS

Created on: May 26, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

I have not exactly grown up yet, so to speak. I am older, yes, but am I any wiser?

I grew up wanting to be a princess; to have a closet full of gorgeous gowns, a line of handsome suitors and, of course, to have a fairy looking after my every whim and fancy. I didn't end up having all that, but my parents' love made me feel far above a princess.

Then as I finished my ABCs and 123s, I was opened to the possibility of "growing up". Thus began my endless dream to be 21. School work became a bore and I wished upon many a shooting star that I can soon step on the corporate ladder; to finally be able to wear that black suit Mommy looks so professional in; and to ultimately purchase my first car and a double-storey house by the beach. Days drag by and eventually, I did get to 21, only it wasn't that much of a hype anymore.

Throughout the years, I've yearned to be a lot of things; teacher, dancer, businesswoman, chef and well, a retiree who plants herbs on the mountain. By the time I enter university, all those were shattered and replaced by the ambiguous title, writer.

The extent to which I love reading could probably be demonstrated by the fact that Mom once banned me from reaching for a fiction until after my Math exam. She had my bookshelf locked, so I knew she meant business. The only thing I didn't know then was how deep my passion for reading and writing are.

I continued growing up. And along the way has picked up more titles: a Copywriter, and an Editor. Needless to say, I absolutely love being able to read and write and living my life the way I want to. But truth be told, I have never imagined this when I was young, and certainly don't know what to imagine for the few years to come.

Now that I am at this moment where I call the Dream Plateau, I've stopped dreaming of what I want to be when I grow up. When is that, anyway? When can we truly be considered a "grown up"?

Maybe it's best to focus on the here and now, and to believe as well as take pride in yourself. Now, I just want to be a better person.

From a different light, I am a teacher to my siblings, my husband, my colleagues, and most importantly, myself. I am a dancer who graces the lounge area, albeit only to closest company. I am a business woman when I set out to do my groceries the smartest and most economical way for my household. I am the chef whom my husband loves regardless of what's cooking in my oven. As for the retiree, let's just say I need more time to get a plot of land on the mountain...

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