Adult (in progress) and adventures.

These past couple of weeks, I've been thinking about life. Often I forget that I'm 23. Today on my timehop, a picture from my first trip to NYC showed up... from seven years ago. Two thoughts crossed my mind: one) how was the seven years ago already? two) It was only 7 years ago? I remember that trip very well. It was three days after Christmas, my junior year of high school, and it was with Student Council. The tree was still up in Rockefeller Plaza. I saw NBC Studios for the first time (one of the most exciting parts). We also took pictures with the Trump Tower Doorman. That was when Trump was riding the high life with Apprentice, before he was seen as somewhat of a joke. 

Life has been weird, as it should. It's funny to think I'm 23. When I was growing up, I had to ask for permission for things, as a kid often has to do. I realized the other day that I don't have to anymore. Then another thought crossed my mind, I feel as though I'm as much an adult as I still am a kid. Yes, I'm on the other coast, paying my own bills, paying rent. Yes, I have a full time job. But, I still call home just to say hi and to also ask life advice questions. I'm an adult in progress. I have much to learn, but I am well on my way. 

When I was younger, 23 seemed much older. I thought at 23, I would be working my dream job, in a serious relationship, and I wouldn't have days where I literally do nothing just because I can (one day off a week leads to relaxation and days spent in pajamas when possible). Some people are at that stage in their live where they are working their dream jobs and getting married and having kids. Everyone is different. What may be right for one is not right for all. Marriage is something I don't see in the next five years (maybe even the next ten) and kids, kids terrify me at the moment. That doesn't mean I'm not happy for my friends who are ready for one or both of those. I just know I'm not. I like living for myself at the moment and not having to be responsible for anyone else. I spent so long worrying about others and not putting myself first. I think this is making up for all those lost years on myself. Now I'm living for myself while I can and doing what I want. 

With that being said, the week before Christmas, my sister came and visited. We are some kind of stupid and some kind of insane, but some kind of adventurous. I was off Monday at 6PM. Then I had Tuesday and Wednesday off. So what did we do? We hopped in my car and drove to the Grand Canyon, 8 1/2 hours away. You know what, first, we didn't kill each other. Second, it was worth it, 100%. Seeing the Grand Canyon has been something I have wanted to do since I was a little kid watching the Brady Bunch. I'm happy to have finally made it. It may be a ginormous hole in the ground, but it is one of the most breathtaking ginormous holes in the ground. It's beautiful. We hiked a bit in the canyon, and despite it being below freezing, I actually took my winter coat off a few times and wasn't freezing. I haven't seen snow in over a year and a half and haven't been in temperatures below 38 since last January (and that was for a night and only five minutes outside a warm car). It was a nice taste of winter (the only one I need this year). Driving to the Grand Canyon with my sister is one of those adventures we'll always have, just like the trip to NYC for the first time. 

It was something fun that we made the choice to do because we are adults and our twenties are the years to go on these adventures. 

This trip also made me realize how much I am my parents' daughter. I've never really seen myself in them until more recently. I'm a great mixture of them, as different as they are. I'm happy to see that.

Anyways, 2015 is coming to a close which means I have 2 more days to finish the year off on a high note. I very much plan to do so. I don't know how yet, but I'm sure I'll think of something in the next 48 hours. 

Happy New Year, here's to seeing what adventures 2016 holds! (and how much more of an adult I become)

peace.love.happiness.

Am I a Functioning Adult... and a morning person?

At the beginning of this year, my New Year's Resolution was to become a functioning adult and to not sleep in so much. I'd say being a manager and staying on top of my responsibilities and paying my bills qualifies as a functioning adult. As for the sleeping in, I have become a morning person (except the last few days because I've been sick). For the most part, my I go to work at either 5 or 6 in the morning. That means I actually go to bed at a decent time (between 8 and 10). On my off days, I still wake up early without an alarm. 10 has become sleeping in to me instead of waking up early. 
New Year's Resolution 2015: check.

I haven't really put thought into my new year's resolution for 2016 yet. I've had a lot on my mind lately and am unsure of what this year will bring. Here's what I know: I will make it back to Massachusetts for Kim's wedding. I want to make it back for Christmas. I will find a job related to film or television. Three big things for 2016. I'm excited. 

2015 has been another eye opener. It brought many adventures from nights out that turned into the next day to day long adventures to making the most of every moment in one day to learning who some of your best friends are to being the bigger person to learning what is more important to learning value to learning to live. 

I work a lot. As a manager at Dunkin, I work 6 days a week every week (with the exception of the three day vacation I took to spend time with my dad and stepmom which still required my phone on). A fifty hour week is a "short" week. At 23, I didn't think I would be working 6 days a week all the time. When I took this position, I thought I knew what I was getting in to, but I didn't. I've adjusted to working 6 days. Sometimes, it sinks in that I get one day a week to myself. That means one day to do laundry, run errands, maybe hang out with friends. Sometimes, it's tiring. Then I realize, this is real life, isn't it? I used to think I was so tired and had so many things to do in college. I remember one of my professors laughing at me for thinking I would have so much more free time after college. In the "real world", you don't get a week off at Thanksgiving, five weeks for Christmas, and a three month summer. You can't just skip a day because you're tired or sick. There are things that need to get done that won't get done if you don't do them. There are people relying on you to make sure these things get done in a timely and efficient manner. Some days, I really want to go back to the college days. I miss my five weeks at Christmas and three month summer to do whatever. This is normal. 

In the adjustment from student to adult, I'm learning. A Lot. Whatever tomorrow has in store for me, I'll be ready. I come from a family of taking what life throws at you and overcoming struggles and being far away. Whatever tomorrow brings, I won't be waiting, I'll already be fighting it. Regardless of how tired I get and how many mornings that alarm goes off I just want to ignore it, I'll keep going because I can.

As usual, I don't know how I got from where I started to here, but welcome to my mind.It doesn't always make sense, but it has a plan that unfolds as it goes.

Anyways, I guess I should probably get to bed. Hopefully this cough will be gone tomorrow (day 9 and counting).