Cate’s Backward way of Life

I decided I was done with High School in my junior year. I

dropped out and never looked back. I always knew I would

further my education and that is how I live my life now… You have to have goals, the path you take

to get there is up to you.

Then I moved out on my own…

I took a road trip…or 3

Spent 2 weeks in San Miguel, Mexico riding horses in the desert

2 weeks in Amsterdam

I felt free….

And then not so much

At 17 years old I had been to 6 different schools before I decided enough was enough. I worked full time, had a roommate I loved, friends that were so dependable and a dog that slept with me at night. Things were great until I

realized I hated my job, my friends were going to prom, graduating, going to college. I decided I wanted to start moving forward with myself again.

I got a GED and started at the concord technical institute for 1 semester. Then I went back to work. Then I started at the Laconia and that felt like a better fit. I

did well there, enjoyed my classes, liked my professors. I transferred from the Laconia tech to the University of New

England… this was not a decision I made for myself, it was a push from my

mother and it didn’t feel right. I quit after 1 semester and returned to the

Laconia Tech a year after that. When I decided, in my own time, that I was ready for something bigger I started

looking. I found PSU and never looked back.

Eventually I didn’t feel so worn out. I had a routine. I created structure and I was moving forward. It felt good. I was ready

for some company other than my dog!

Wyatt Christopher Ahern 12/16/2011

The best thing I ever did

A baby really puts things into perspective

So here I am…I could have made things a lot easier on myself if I had chosen that beaten down path at the beginning of my journey, but I have had FUN on the path less taken. I

have grown and learned. Im a mother, a partner, a woman and a free spirit.

Mother

Partner

Free Spirit

The EndI hope that my message is MOVEMENT. It doesn’t matter how many

detours you take, you should absolutely take them just keep moving towards something that you care about.