I just bought airline tickets. To where, you might ask? San Francisco! It's a city I've only been to twice, but still absolutely love. I think it's because I've always been there during the same time, - Octoberish - and it always feels like fall. Living in San Diego, you rarely get that fall feeling. There is something about waking up in the morning to crisp air and having to wear a jacket because, well, it's actually cold outside. So, I'm going. And, boy am I excited. Buying airline tickets is scary though. It's one of those oh my gosh I can't go back and change things kinds of purchase. I'm pretty sure I read over all my info at least ten times, but I'm still worried that I got something wrong. Why the distress? The money, of course. Being a grown-up means you have to handle your own money (in case you hadn't noticed yet), and that can be one very scary thing. I've made my share of mistakes, particularly when it comes to not checking my account to make sure I've transfered enough funds. This usually makes me mad because it's not that I don't have any money in my bank account, it's just that I'm too lazy to sign onto my account and actually make sure I've given myself enough funds to keep swiping away. For the most part, I'm okay though, and this is why... I've come up with a system that works well for me. And, while I by no means want to tell you all how to manage your dollars, maybe this will work for you, too. Per paycheck, I give myself $300. This is my spending limit for two weeks for basically everything food, fuel and fun related. The rest, I save. It's been a nice way for me to have fun and still have extra money, just in case. The best part about it is that I can go places like San Fran on a whim and not have to worry about spending too much. There's a ton or great articles about saving money, many of which I'm sure I should refer to more often. I'm pretty sure it's time for me to start a countdown though. 46 days, woohoo! Bring on the paychecks and bring on the days - I'll be in San Fran before I know it!
Spontaneity.
Mmm, Sunday
Sundays are great. Mainly because there's something about Sunday that screams you can and should do nothing. And, that is exactly what I'm doing. After church and my little sister's back to school picnic this morning, I'm back basking in the glory of a beautiful Sunday in one of my favorite places - my bed. Maybe I should be outside doing something active and enjoying yet another cloudless day in sunny San Diego. Maybe I should be cleaning my room (which seems to have exploded again), or finally washing my car. But, you know what? I don't have to, so I guess I won't. I've been thinking a lot lately about being able to do whatever I want, and I'm realizing more and more just how lucky I am. For a lot of people, it's all about growing up. Little girls want to be teenagers so they can finally wear makeup and fit into their mom's clothes and shoes. Little boys want to grow up so they can play football in the park with their friends way past dark. Even I (who would have liked to stay a kid forever) have daydreamed about being older, having kids and what my life will be like when I'm, say, 40. Sometimes I want those things. Other times I want to just lie in my bed for hours doing absloutely nothing. And those are the times that I realize how much I need to enjoy right now. Someday I'll have responsibiliteies more than work and taking care of myself and my little apartment. I'm excited for those days, but today, I just want to be happy knowing I have an entire, glorious 24 hours to just do nothing.
No more pencils, no more books, no more... WHAT?!
Graduating from college is a huge accomplishment. It means you've somehow survived something along the lines of 17 years of school (give or take a year for you super seniors). It also means you will soon be thrust into the world of adulthood. Even those who can manage putting off entering the big, scary grown-up realm by traveling or simply enjoying one last summer, will someday reach that moment where it's time to figure things out. And, while growing up is fine and dandy, realizing that it's all over - really, really over - is a big step. Since I graduated a semester early, I thought the equally hated and anticipated "back to school" time wouldn't affect me. Well, I was wrong. There is something strange about not having to buy books or pens or a million other things that used to encompass the shopping sprees leading up to school. It really hit me that school and all that goes along with it was over for me when I was shopping a few weeks ago. I didn't really have anything in particular to buy, but as I was browsing the aisles, I ended up face to face with the school supplies. It was like a standoff occured, an inner turmoil between my childhood self and the adult me, suddenly no longer needing these things. Would I ever need to buy crayons again? Probably not for myself, anyway. What about those cool binders that I used to decorate with pictures and stuff needless sheets of papers into until they were bursting at the seams? I guess not. Hmm, this was stranger than I thought. Since my shopping experience, I've realized that it's just plain weird to not be in school, but at the same time oh, so exciting. For those of you still experiencing the post-graduate freak out, check out this site. As for me, I think I'll start visiting the office supply room more often.
Why, hello there!
Somehow, it seems, you have stumbled onto my blog. Welcome! Since this is my first post, I think it's appropriate to introduce myself and explain why I'm doing this. My name is Amanda (as you may have seen in my introduction) and I'm in my twenty's. Okay, I'm 22, but I tend to avoid saying this as it makes me feel so young. It's much better than saying "hi, I'm 21" though, which I quickly got sick of a couple months post-birthday. Anyway, since I am 22 and have been going through a lot of personal and professional changes, I decided it might be beneficial to myself and others my age to blog about my experiences and tips I've found about surviving this trying time (okay, being 22 isn't that harsh, but I had to say that for the sake of pure drama). I'm hoping I'll be able to share what I've been learning (and believe me, I learn something new everyday) and maybe be able to make sense of it all. So here goes... This begins the thoughts of me, a twentysomething.