I’ve officially entered my “late twenties.” 27 doesn’t feel much older than 26, but I think it sounds older. When I was younger, I figured that by 27 I’d have it all together; I’d be working at some amazing job, have a mortgage, and be married. But things rarely turn out as we planned. Instead, I’m a full time graduate student living in an apartment (albeit, a very cute apartment), and single. Not that I’m complaining. The fact that I (especially with being a woman) have the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree puts me far ahead of many people in the world (and for that matter, in this country).
Last night I went out with friends and had a birthday dinner. That was a lot of fun. I remember last year I did the same thing in Brooklyn. We went to The General Greene, which is one of my favorite resturants in New York. This year we went to Victoria’s which is a italian restuarant on Campus Corner. I brought my own precooked pasta (due to being gluten free) and they added the sauce. It was quite good. We also ordered stuffed mushroom caps. They were stuffed with pesto and garlic and topped with cheese. So good!!!
I don’t have any big plans today. I went to work this morning and have to go back for a meeting tonight which means that I’m going to have to miss class. I think I’m going to go to The Library with a friend after my meeting. (This Library is filled with food and drinks, not books.) This morning I did get to Skype with my friend Julianna who is in Cape Town South Africa (branandjuli.com). It is amazing to me that I can (at no cost) talk with and see someone who is across the ocean via computer.
I think the biggest lesson I learned during my 26th year is that I always need to be flexible and that it is important to keep things in perspective. Living in New York (a.k.a. “the big dream”) didn’t work out. I moved back to Oklahoma thinking I was going to return to my previous job. Due to State budget cuts, that didn’t work out. Then I applied for other jobs and was never hired. So then I decided to go back to school, which in the end, I think will benefit me more than returning to work would have. However, during that time I had a place to live, I had food to eat. I was never in danger of homelessness or starvation. I am incredibly lucky and I think when life gets unpredictable, it’s important to put things in perspective and think about what you do have.
I hope my 27th year will be a little less tumultuous but I also hope that I continue to learn and grow as a person.
