how to be an astronaut

When I was 9 years old I wanted to be an astronaut.

It all started one night when my dad and I were out in the garden of our old house. He looked up at the night sky and pointed out the Big Dipper, the Small Dipper, and Orion’s Belt. I copied him, traced the constellations with my fingers, and before I slept that night I already had my own made-up version of his stories. It didn’t take long before I had read most of his astronomy books (well, more like skimmed through it and drooled over the pictures). I even convinced him to buy me my very own toy telescope! (my dad’s binoculars had better magnification)

Then Lost In Space came out. Yes. (way back then I already knew Star Wars was epic), but Lost In Space was set in 2058 in the real world! After that movie I didn’t want to just observe stars. I wanted to be up there with them! I dreamed of flying off to outerspace, of controlling time and exploring the possibilities of intergallactic space travel. I looked all girly on the outside, but inside that ten year-old girl who loved all things pink, I was a total geek.

I asked my dad if I could become an astronaut, and he told me that they had some criteria for that.......

 *Lightbulb*

Back in 1998, Google was yet to be available publicly so I had to look for it in our astronomy books. I don’t know how exactly I came up with it but I remember writing a note that said:

How to be an Astronaut:

finish school and become a scientist or engineer

have 20/20 vision

must reach at least 5’2” to 6'

spend a LOT of practice hours on the spaceship simulator

Aha! I was set!

This is the part when I get to share how I achieved all this. Thirteen years later and as I live in the REAL real world:

How to be an Astronaut

finish school and become a scientist or engineer

have 20/20 vision

must reach at least 5’2” to 6'

spend a LOT of practice hours on the spaceship simulator

I made a new note.

How life never turns out the way you planned when you were nine:

i'm studying to become an architect

i wear glasses 150/150, nearsighted

i'm barely 5 feet tall (petite)

i just got my license AND i ride the go-kart sometimes

HA! (an excuse to introduce myself) 

So I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be an astronaut… But, much like my 9-year old self, I still listen to my dad’s stories, write notes, read books, and continue to dream. :)