Hi Klein, don't let go of your dreams, ever.  Dreams are what individualise us.

I have been reading these threads but hadn't thought of responding until I saw your last thread.  I trained in Hotel and Catering Management and for nearly two years was responsible for running a restaurant for a well known company.  To cut a long story short I "fell" into admin when I followed my (now ex) husband with his work.  That was 20 years ago.  

For the last 20 years I have worked my way up from a temp who had absolutely no experience in secretarial work to the senior position I am in today - all of my skills are self taught and I pride myself in the fact that I can do just a good as job as others who have the qualifications.  

But that doesn't mean I have forgotton my dream - far from it.  Everyone I work with knows that I want my own tea shop / restaurant / guest house / hotel at some point in my life.  Ok, it may remain a pipe dream but there is always the chance that it will come true.  It's what makes me me.  It will always be there but at the same time I have made admin my career and I put my all into my job.  So hang on to your dreams, you never know when your fairy godmother/father will wave their wand...............................