Looking Forward

I recently celebrated my 27th birthday. I thought I was going to be freaked out a little more by the fact that I am now 27. Maybe it's because I've been in my 20s for awhile now so I’m getting used to it. Even though I have now entered my late 20s; no matter how much I argue that 27 is still mid 20s. Apparently it doesn't work this way:

20 - 21 Early 20s

22 - 27 Mid 20s

28 - 29 Late 20s

I have to admit, one of the hardest birthdays was probably my 25^th. I was on the other side of the world, away from most of my friends and family and nowhere near where I thought I’d be in life at 25. It’s funny how we when we are in high school we imagine ourselves with a set career, committed relationship, our own home, a car, kids...etc all right when we graduate University. Goals aren’t always met, dreams change and we move on with our lives. Don’t misunderstand me, I am so happy I didn’t end up tied down doing something I hated or with someone that I would eventually divorce. I really should have listened to my 12 year old self and stuck with my teaching education path...because that's where I ended up.

Instead I listened to my Guidance Counselor - why don't you try Business?

It's really true what they say about aging. You become more comfortable with who you are and happier as a person. I am finally starting a stable career and I feel more at ease with who I am. When I think back to my university days...I was beyond shy. I was in a program I didn’t really love, but came fairly easy to me. I went to class, barely talked to anyone and went home to my roommates and played euchre. (Yes, euchre. We had an amazing scoreboard. Might have to get one for your new pad Lolo. Just a thought). My cousin Lolo so lovingly told me the other day I should've been 'macking' on all those business hotties. Well I missed that boat. But I would never have dreamed of doing that at 21. My face would've gone tomato red and I probably would've ran away. (I still turn that lovely shade sometimes though...can't really seem to get rid of it).

How you feel about yourself really does affect how other people look at you. We grow older yes, but we grow better with time (like a fine wine). At 33 you are your happiest and they say that 40 is the new 20, as celebs keeps getting better with age. Which is probably the argument for all the cougar love.

I'm a Big Kid Now

After countless part-time or "filler" jobs and contract jobs with an expiration date and two degrees, I am beyond happy to report I finally have a real job. The full time kind with benefits and everything! It only took me about 27 years. I'm very lucky in that the whole job really fell into my lap. It completely took me by surprise but I've always loved surprises. The whole process went something like this:

Former boss calls me on Family Day. "Are you currently working?"
Me: "Kind of."
FB: "Would you like to come in and chat about a position that has opened up?"
Me: "Sure! See you Wednesday."

A few days are between the phone call and the meeting. I really have no expectations leading up to this because to me a 'chat' is a very informal and indefinite thing.


Wednesday
FB: "This is basically the job description...you would be responsible for.... Would something like this interest you?"
Me: "Yes definitely. Especially with teaching not really being much of an option around here I would be interested in exploring other options."
FB: "Well you were the first person I thought of when this opened up. We're not even going to post it if you're interested."
Me: "I'm definitely interested."
FB: "Great. The salary is blah blah blah...benefits.... Do we have a deal?"
Me: (At this point my stomach is flip flopping and I just want to jump up and down). "Yes. Sounds great!"
FB: "Perfect! You just made my week!"
Me: "Best Wednesday ever!"

After that initial meeting I was so giddy that something had finally gone my way. It is so frustrating to apply to literally hundreds of jobs (some of which you are overqualified for) and not hear a lot back in return. I'm surprised I was able to walk out of that building without running around or dancing like a madwoman. I just finished my first week there and I really do love it. It's something stable in my life but it also is a job that I am able to put my expensive education to use. Who woulda thunk it?

As the self-proclaimed spokeswoman for the "Peter Pan Generation" of my small group of friends, 'growing up' into a functioning adult seemed unncessary. Career...It'll happen someday. Family of my own...I'm too young for that! But as it turns out, I'm not too young. Do I really want to live with my parents forever? No of course not. (I'm sure you can hear my mom yelping with excitement and high fiving my dad as she reads that). Not all 20 somethings are desperately avoiding the real world of course. There are those that are married, settled and basically have their shit together. I'm not exactly sure why our generation feels the need to hold on to our youth for so much longer. Possibly we're scared. Scared of making mistakes our parents have made. Unhappy or trapped in their jobs or even divorce. But, I am sure that it feels pretty good waking up every morning not wondering if I'll be able to pay my bills.

This full time job thing isn't so bad after all.