My name is Kalli Peterson and I don't know what I'm doing.

It's true.

When asked what I want to be when I grow up, here's what I should start telling people rather than, "I don't know what I'm doing":

I want to be fairly self-sufficient. Growing up, I learned how to grow vegetables, raise livestock, and fish, thanks to my dad. I missed the boat on hunting because I'm not much of a deer hunter (honestly, growing up, I thought hunting was such a "guy" thing. My sisters both go hunting though, and they love it). This is going to sound stupid, but I think shooting a deer with a gun seems a little too easy. HA! I know all you hunters out there are going to jump all over me with that comment (because it's not true, it takes a LOT of patience and accuracy to take down a whitetail), but I would prefer to shoot a deer with a bow and arrow, Indian/Katniss style. A coyote or a muskrat or a bear with a gun, sure, but not a deer. It seems to be more of a challenge using the archery approach, and therefore, is more glamorous. It is on my bucket list to shoot a deer with a bow and arrow this fall, though. I envision myself nabbing my deer by riding on a horse like the Native Americans did in Dances with Wolves when they go buffalo hunting. Then, when my horse bucks me off, Kevin Costner can save me from getting charged by a buffalo...

I'm getting off track. Back to the self-sufficiency.

I would like to get better at sewing, baking (buns, especially), and canning before I have my own house, too. There's just something to be said about doing things yourself. When we were growing up, we'd sit down to supper with a plate that had a pork chop from our pigs, one of mom's homemade buns, and potatoes and green beans from our garden, and dad would always say, "I wonder what the rich people are eating tonight?" The milk was always from the Farmer's Store, though; Dad says if you're going to have one milk cow, you might as well have 15.

I want to have a family. I want to start new traditions with my kids and continue some of my favorites (especially ones at Christmas time, like cutting down the tree together) from my own childhood. I want to play kickball and Clue and teach em to swim the coulee and read Little House on the Prairie and fairy tales before bed. I want them to learn to love gopher hockey (that is the most important thing, you know!) I want to be that mom that drives around to the neighbors selling pizza and girl scout cookies, who never misses a single game, concert, or awards ceremony. I want to take them to Disney world, the Grand Canyon, and the Black Hills. I had an AWESOME childhood (for the most part) outside in the Midwest wind and sunshine, and I would love to give my kids one similar to it.

I want to be involved in my community, whether I live in Kittson or not. I want to serve on committees like both my parents do - my dad is on the South Red River township board (Noel quote #3 for this post: "We will never have women on the township board!"), the Kittson County fair board, and the Red River church board. Mom is on Soil and Water, and she is a manager of the Cornerstone Food Pantry, as well as being a Sunday school and confirmation teacher at Grace-Red River. Oh, and she leads our bible study group. #nbd

I love how, for example, the town of Cavalier, ND appears. Every time I go there, I marvel at all the small businesses. Main-street windows are covered with orange and black signs that say "Go Tornadoes!" It's just such a cute little place. I'm jealous - I want Hallock to be like that! Mom tells me they have a chamber of commerce that organizes events (like the wine walk) and happenings in their community. . .I could be good at that :)

So, that's what I want to be when I grow up. It doesn't seem too unreasonable, does it?

*****

My bible study group is learning about Jonah right now, and we are using Priscilla Shirer's member book to help us along the way. Last week, she asked what gifts God had endowed on us, what our skills are. I wrote that God made me a friendly, approachable, and a people-person. (FYI, only me and one other person wrote down what our gifts are. I was feeling a little self-absorbed during those "sharing" moments. Haha). While that's all well & good, I don't know yet how I am going to be able to utilize that in my career. My problem is that I like too many things. I have too many interests. I joke and say, "I can't help it that I am so good at so many things!" but sheesh.

I kind of think I'd make a good teacher. Summers off?! Schwing! Haha, just kidding. When I was a senior in high school, my speech class organized Dr. Seuss day, and after I made a presentation (on how to create flubber, I believe), several faculty members approached me and said I was a natural at the front of the classroom. Now, it's just to decide exactly WHAT I should be teaching. I think I would enjoy preschool to 3rd grade, and then high school. I have enough swimming lessons under my belt to convince me that my patience would wear thin quickly if I was dealing with a bunch of middle schoolers on a daily basis. I am planning to attend UMC this fall (I go sign up for classes June 20th) and have declared an Early Childhood Education major. However, I have checked the requirements for other Ed majors, and they all call for basically the same classes (Educational Psychology, Intro to Education, etc.) so I figure that if I decide I want to major in another education field, I can (without wasting too much time + money). I still think it would be kind of fun to be a Home Ec teacher, but NDSU is SO BIG. I think I'll fit in well at UMC - small classes, and close-to-home (and if you know me even a little bit, you know I love home).

Love,

Kalli