Sep 19

Sep 19 "Grow Up," They said. "It'll be fun!" They said.

A friend asked me what was the "funnest" * thing I did this summer. The question caught me off guard because after I graduated, “Summer” lost its valuable meaning. "Summer" no longer means 3 months of freedom, but rather just another season of the year. A very hot season of the year. So, I didn't really have an answer. After all, when did “Summer” even begin? Has it ended?

That's how I got the topic for this entry.

Originally, I was going to write about fun little adventures I had throughout the summer and tell you that it's not about one great thing but a series of small great things. Then I realized you probably don't care about the time I danced with a 2-year-old, or read a comic on a super-size lawn chair. So instead of dragging you through my memory lane, I decided to write about a topic most of you are familiar with ... life after college, a.k.a the grown-up life. Which, let's face it, isn't as glamorous as Hollywood makes it seem.

Here's a compilation of other things that had a different meaning, or purpose, while you were still in school. Let me know if you come up with any others.

Winter break: Last year I kept trying to come up with fun things to do for my holiday break. Then it hit me. THERE IS NO HOLIDAY BREAK! Imagine the sadness in my eyes when all my dreams were shattered.

Back To School: I can't say I actually miss this "season". Except for getting brand new school supplies.

School Supplies: This actually turns into "Office Supplies" but you usually attain these by searching the office supply closet for some free Bic pens and post-its. Sure, you can go out and buy some cool colorful notebooks and Pilot G-2 pens (personal favorite) but those cost money and, remember, you're drowning in student debt.

Money/Paychecks: Once upon a time you used to take the little money that was given to you and you'd run through aisles and aisles of pretty things, leaping with joy at the sight of the newest sneakers and accessories. You'd spend your money freely without a worry on your mind except, "if I buy these, will I have enough money for my Cinnabon?"

And then you graduated and now the thought of insufficient funds creates anxiety and makes you perspire until you collapse and your parents are yelling, "WHERE DID WE GO WRONG?!" Okay, slightly dramatic but still ... money is no longer a luxury but a necessity. You actually have to purchase things for pure survival. "IF I buy this Rolex, will I be able to eat for the next 2 weeks?"

All Nighters: This is bad. Very bad. Why would you want to spend your late nights doing anything else that isn't sleeping? Your body can't handle that kind of torture.

Texas Tea Tuesdays/Wet Wednesdays/Thirsty Thursdays: It's all fun and games until you have to wake up for work the next morning.

Health Insurance: Your whole life, whether it be health, car, home, life, or any other kind that exists, insurance has been this super cool, invisible thing that you got to take advantage of for free. Now you have to go through the stress of choosing the right plan for you, setting up your own doctor/dentist appointments and paying for your own prescriptions. Talk about responsibility.

Traveling: It used to be an annual family activity in which you had no choice but to go. Sometimes the destinations were cool, others not so convincing. The cool thing, though, was that it was free for you. An all inclusive trip, compliment of your parents.

Now you actually have to save up and pay for your own everything. At least now you get to choose where you want to go, when you want to go, and who you want to go with. I feel like you get a lot more out of the trip this way.