“Emma, you should be a lawyer when you grow up. You get to help people in court, and everybody respects you. Or you should be a plastic surgeon. They make a lot of money.”
When I was younger, my parents reiterated these words to me countless times. In a typical Asian household, often the only acceptable job aspirations are doctors, lawyers or engineers. But I never wanted to hear about the difficult careers I’d be forced to pursue in the future. I wanted to live a fun and eventful life.
After watching “Sofia the First,” a TV show for kids on Disney Channel, I wished to build a similar connection with animals that the protagonist, Princess Sofia, had when her magical amulet gave her the ability to speak with critters.
Disregarding my parents’ plans for my future, I decided I wanted to become a farmer. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Why would a little girl want to work on a farm?
When I was little, one of my favorite things to do was watch people riding horses. It looked so fun and liberating.
It’s weird, I know, but this is what encouraged me to audition for the role of a cowgirl in my kindergarten spring play. Expecting a real horse to ride on, I was disappointed when I got a stick with a horse head on it instead. Despite not getting to ride a real horse, I fully immersed myself in the role.
When I got home that night, I fervently watched my dad’s recording of me dancing in place with a cowgirl hat, sunglasses and a stick. I looked so cool playing the role that I decided I should be a cowgirl when I grew older.
Shortly after my experience of playing a cowgirl in the school play, I also discovered a new passion for animals at my friend’s kindergarten birthday party.
My friend had arranged for a petting zoo to take place in her backyard, and I was immediately entranced by all the farm animals trotting freely around in the enclosed space. I had never seen real farm animals before, except for baby chicks, which was an unpleasant experience that I won’t go into detail about.
I was beyond excited to play inside the pen. Feeding all types of animals, from goats to rabbits, I felt peaceful and relaxed, since it was adorable to watch the animals eat out of my palm. It also made me feel as if I was doing something useful. As I watched the caretakers pet and feed the animals, I realized that if I became a farmer, I would be able to work with animals for a living. To a little kid, doing something you love and not having to do actual work seemed like a win-win situation.
I now realize that being a cowgirl would not bring me very far in life, but they were aspirations that shaped my childhood and make me laugh every now and then as I grow older.
