I love my parents. All parents will make you crazy at some time or another. I've had my fair share of experiences with that. But today was different.

First, I called my dad. He asked about my jobs, and I said they were going pretty well. I told him I felt burnt out sometimes and that it was frustrating. He said, "Yeah, that happens."

Then I decided to ask him about his work. As a child, I always thought my dad hated his job. He'd complain about certain patients, and always seemed exhausted. But occasionally, he'd talk about a nice patient, too. Later, it became evident that he enjoys what he does, and I was under the bizarre impression that he always liked it. I don't know why I assumed that there were jobs in the world that you'd never, ever hate, not even for a moment. Maybe it's the optimist in me, I'm not sure.

So my dad said, "Of course there are times I feel like that [burnt out, frustrated]. There are periods of time in which my work feels very, very unappreciated and difficult. But then there are times in which I receive all this gratitude from people, and it makes me feel good about my job again."

"I guess all jobs are like that, aren't they?" I asked.

"Yeah. I mean, you just have to find something that you enjoy, that you find interesting, and that you'll continue to enjoy on some level even during the really hard times. And you just hang in there," he said.

I love my dad.

I was so happy about having such a nice conversation with him that I wanted to spend more quality conversation time on the phone. So I called my mom and we chatted for a long time. We talked about work, along with a billion other subjects, including her schoolwork, babies (and how they relate to career choices), my feet, her carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. And in talking to her, I made a realization about what I want.

I want a job in which I can sit for a good portion of my shift. Most animal related positions are on-your-feet-all-damn-day jobs, so I'd have to be in a different field for a little while, just temporarily. Answering phones, maybe? Being someone's assistant? I have no idea. But if I could manage to be on my feet only for short spurts throughout the day for a job, then I could learn to increase the time I spend on my feet (with my orthotics) on my own. I feel like right now, I'm stressing my feet out greatly, and it's hard for them to heal if I am constantly walking and in pain. I just need time to take it easy. After my feet heal properly, then I can go back to a physically active job.

In the mean time, a few things need to become a regular part of my lfie: Yoga, weight lifting, and swimming. These will help me in many, many ways. Strengthening my muscles and bones, feeling good from exercising, losing weight by getting in shape, developing flexible calves which will help my feet....... I can use all the help I can get. And being physically fit will prevent my feet problems from getting worse, or (once they're better) from returning at all.

My mom thought that was a great idea. She is always so supportive. She's all for any idea that involves my being happy and healthy. I'm telling you, I've got one cool mom.

I feel so lucky to have insightful parents that are also very supportive. After talking with them today, I got that sort of warm, fuzzy, "Wow my parents are cool," feeling in my stomach. Or maybe that was that hamster I ate... Regardless, it was a nice afternoon.

And now I know what I want to do with my life, at least in the short term. Even though I love working with the dogs (for the most part), and it would suck to give that up, I need to consider my health needs first.

Why, why can't I just get paid to watch "SpongeBob Squarepants" all day long??

I wish I were a millionaire.