I think it's because at heart I must have considered being an English/history teacher, and I'm fascinated by such things, and continually try to learn and impart new things.

   I would have become a teacher, but it dawned on me that I would have to, you know, actually go to school every day.

How do I make my fast an acceptable offering to the Lord?

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin taught: “Without prayer, fasting is not complete fasting; it’s simply going hungry. If we want our fasting to be more than just going without eating, we must lift our hearts, our minds, and our voices in communion with our Heavenly Father. Fasting, coupled with mighty prayer, is powerful. It can fill our minds with the revelations of the Spirit. It can strengthen us against times of temptation” (“The Law of the Fast,“ April 2001 general conference). 

Elder L. Tom Perry said: “The longer I live, the more impressed I am with the Lord’s system of caring for the poor and needy. Surely no man would think of such a simple yet profound way of satisfying human needs—to grow spiritually and temporally through periodic fasting and then donating the amount saved from refraining from partaking of those meals to the bishop to be used to administer to the needs of the poor, the ill, the downtrodden, who need help and support to make their way through life” (“The Law of the Fast,” April 1986 general conference).

More from the scriptures: Omni 1:26; D&C 59:12–16; Alma 17:3

How can I take greater advantage of the privilege of fasting?

Fasting can be a more spiritual experience and draw you closer to God. Consider the following: 

• Begin and end your fast with prayer.

• Fast with a purpose (see Matthew 17:18–21; Mosiah 27:22–23; Alma 5:45-46; 28:4–6; Helaman 3:35).

• Fast with a happy countenance (see Matthew 6:1–4, 16–18; 3 Nephi 13:16–18).

• Encourage your family members to fast, always following the wise counsel of President Joseph F. Smith:

"Many are subject to weakness, others are delicate in health, and others have nursing babies; of such it should not be required to fast. Neither should parents compel their little children to fast” (Gospel Doctrine, p. 244).

President Joseph F. Smith also counsels us to be wise in our fasting. "There is such a thing as overdoing. A man may fast and pray till he kills himself; and there isn’t any necessity for it; nor wisdom in it. … The Lord can hear a simple prayer, offered in faith, in half a dozen words, and he will recognize fasting that may not continue more than twenty-four hours, just as readily and as effectually as He will answer a prayer of a thousand words and fasting for a month. … The Lord will accept that which is enough, with a good deal more pleasure and satisfaction than that which is too much and unnecessary” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1912, 133-34).

• Attend fast and testimony meeting as a family (see Alma 6:6; Moroni 6:5).

• Fast for special purposes at times other than on fast Sunday (see Mosiah 27:22).

• Pay a generous fast offering, urging your children to also contribute to fast offerings (see D&C 104:14–18).

• Teach your family to give offerings willingly and cheerfully (see 2 Corinthians 9:6–7; 3 Nephi 13:16–18; Moroni 7:6–8).

What are the blessings of keeping the law of the fast?

Elder L. Tom Perry taught: “The law of the fast has three great purposes. First, it provides assistance to the needy through the contribution of fast offerings, consisting of the value of meals from which we abstain. Second, a fast is beneficial to us physically. Third, it is to increase humility and spirituality on the part of each individual” (“The Law of the Fast,” April 1986 general conference).

“When the poor are starving, let those who have, fast one day and give what they otherwise would have eaten to the bishops for the poor, and every one will abound for a long time. … And so long as the saints will all live to this principle with glad hearts and cheerful countenances they will always have an abundance” (History of the Church, 7:413; see also Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Law of the Fast,” April 2001 general conference).

"Be liberal in your giving, that you yourselves may grow. Don’t give just for the benefit of the poor, but give for your own welfare. Give enough so that you can give yourself into the kingdom of God through consecrating of your means and your time. Pay an honest tithing and a generous fast offering if you want the blessings of heaven. I promise every one of you who will do it that you will increase your own prosperity, both spiritually and temporally. The Lord will reward you according to your deeds” (Marion G. Romney, Welfare Agricultural Meeting, Sept. 30, 1967; see also Marion G. Romney, "The Blessings of the Fast,” July 1982)...