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I have been in Mortgage Underwriting since 1998 because I happened to know someone at a bank who knew someone & there I was in underwriting school.  being fresh out of college, I was excited, but over the years, discovered that I was working a lot of hours, struggling to meet fluctuating market challenges (ups & downs in economy) & this wasn't even remotely my passion, BUT was beginning to make very decent money, and I got comfortable.  NOW, i'm not comfortable, after having been laid off 2 x's in last 2 mos, and I'm now 41 & this does NOT work for me anymore!!!.  I've realized for sometime now that I'm much more creative than any interest in financial related areas;  I would love architectural interior design (restaurants, theaters, clubs); love & am fairly well-traveled, speak French with beginning working knowledge of Italian; LOVE other cultures & countries...the experiences are exciting, new & different.  I also have developed a serious interest in photography & have been increasingly told that I have a very gifted natural eye.  So, what to do...the $$ keeps me tied in to mortgages, but I can't continue in it; but I also can't afford to start at $13/hr to start all over again...not at my age.  Any ideas, anyone???