Career Options

Ethan is only 8 but has already given "serious" thoughts to his future profession. When he was about 4 or 5, he was crazy over dinosaurs and so wanted to be a paleontologist. For as long as his enthusiasm lasted, we read extensively on whatever dinosaur books we could get hold of from the library, bought toy fossils for make-believe play and also went to the Science Centre to view the dinosaur exhibition ("A T-Rex named Sue").

Along the way, he changed his mind and decided it is better to be a soldier. He asked many questions about the army, the artillery, tanks, fighter jets, etc and his papa was always more than glad to give a lecture or 2. We went to the RSAF Open House last year and he was so thrilled to see the different planes and helicopters. He even read up on World War 1 on his own.

This year however he declares he wants to be an author. He brings a notebook to school everyday just in case he has ideas for a story. He has written a few short stories and has read them to his aunt and uncle. They are basically quite nonsensical but funny. Ethan even asked me the process of getting his stories published (as if I know). Just before he slept tonight, he asked me if there is anyone to check his spelling before his story goes into print. He was satisfied when I assured him there would be proof-readers ;-)

This afternoon, Ewan was heard yelling, "Who wants to buy my pictures?" And when there was no answer from Ethan who was doing his homework or from me, he said "It's free!" :-) Perhaps sensing that his brother was "desperate" to sell, Ethan dropped his homework and did this for him:

Well, the marketing ploy worked. I came by the shop and bought Ewan's hastily drawn stick figures. I should think he was more enthusiastic about the transaction than his masterpiece. If he owns a shop in the future, you know it all began right here.