Inbetween

There are so many stages of our lives that we accept different roles, values, and personas. I'm sure I can say that for most of us, a memorable one was the "tween" years (am I using this trendy phrase correctly??). It's that awkward time when your "not a girl, not yet a woman" (thank you Britney Spears). Well I think I've found the next "tween" years of my life. I'm stuck in the middle of that lively, young college student and professional adult. I look about my age, maybe a little young, but I'm sure I'll appreciate that later on in life. Right now, I just feel like I'm not really taken seriously and it has nothing to do with my work product or degrees I have.

I work at a University, and at 25 years old, most students and faculty alike think I'm an undergraduate student. I do my work well, VERY WELL, get paid nothing even with a master's degree alright, act professionally, blog on the clock, dress the part, yada yada. So this just makes things 10x harder when students think it's OK to say, wow you're young - can I ask how old you are? When is that EVER appropriate?

This doesn't just happen at work. It's with strangers, it's with old friends... I feel like since I look young, am not married, and don't have kids, I'm not taken seriously as an adult. I do want that in my future, but does it have to be that I'm not treated as an adult because I'm not there yet?

When do you really start to feel/get treated as a grown up with a little respect and acceptance?

The beautiful Coronado: A weekend getaway!

1 day off work (Friday)

1 plane trip

1 in flight beverage

1 taxi ride

= weekend of fun!

As a final hoorah before beginning the semester, a girlfriend and I decided on a quick trip to Coronado Island. Dashing, Dashing's family, and I frequent the island a lot for family getaways. This time it was time for a girls trip with my good friend Reenie Rose(this is her future blog name)! [See Dashing and I on previous outing here]

The beautiful island has film spot for Marilyn Monroe and vacation spot for Babe Ruth (just to name a few). The Hotel Del Coronado, a national landmark, is a highlight of the island in addition to it's military history. The island (actually a peninsula) creates a natural bay - perfect to protect our military ships and men. Therefore, you can imagine you get a fantastic patriotic feeling while you're there. The beautiful ocean, grand panoramic view of downtown San Diego, and picturesque homes add quite an extraordinary touch to the place. Here are a few pictures from our trip!

(Hotel Del picture from wikimedia commons - I couldn't get one this good :)

On the ferry boat

Great patriotic photo with the flag and Coronado Bridge

Our favorite island restaurant, Village Pizzaria

Fantastic statue of the famous Navy kiss next to an aircraft carrier

When life gets in the way of life

Whew! Today was a long day. Luckily, this past weekend I was blessed with a few days to get away with a girl friend to Coronado Island. More of that to come tomorrow once I can transfer the photos to my computer. In the meantime, I must spill my thoughts about what all is going on in my life.

I started my PhD program today. Wonderful, I know! This is one more ball I've thrown up in the air to juggle. Have I mentioned I don't know how to juggle? Right now, I'm thinking of all the mothers who are juggling ball, scarfs, elephants...mad props to them! I'm sitting here right now with the following things still left undone as the day is coming to a close:

1. fingernails and toenails look like a construction worker's from lack of care
2. the laundry pile needs a name of its own as it has become its own island
3. my "recent calls" list on my phone is more red than black (in IPhone terms that means I have a lot of friends that haven't received call backs...I'm so sorry and promise I'll ring soon!)
4. I haven't spent one-on-one quality time with Dr.Dashing in over a week. The Medical school v. PhD/Work game is currently broadcasting on your local TV network
5. Stationary I promised a friend is slightly delayed. I'm hoping she holds in her baby another week! (different woman than earlier post) Can I do that???

Thank you for listening dear friends. This is not to complain as I'm excited for what the future holds; just needed a moment of your time to process all the things going on. Let me know what you have going on and I'll keep you in my thoughts too!

Wide Awake

Last night was one of those nights; you know, the ones where you just lie there in bed with 1,000 things running through your mind. I was thinking..."I wonder if I could become a kickboxing instructor - maybe open my own stationary boutique - what should I pack for my weekend trip [yay! going to Coronado for the weekend!] - oh, my PhD program starts Monday - when am I going to have time to sleep....maybe I should do that now and stock up on hours - hmmm, I'm hungry..."


Whew! What a whirlwind that was. So I pounced out of bed at 11pm to jump on my computer to keep my overactive brain entertained for a bit. Yes, I pounced. I had that much energy/that wide awake! However, it's taking a toll on me today - total punishment! The positive? I have a new 10 things to do in the next 10 years list! Please tell me I'm not the only one that has these kind of nights? What do you think about when you're lying awake?

A wonderous weekend

I'm excited to submit my report on my adventuresome weekend. It was truly a blend of wonderful, sadness, congratulations, and irritation. How is this possible you ask??! On Friday, I spent the evening with someone I love getting to know better....ME! I very much believe that spending time by yourself can be so rewarding. I learn a great deal about myself this way (which would explain why on the Myers Briggs tests I'm an ISFJ - just took another one this weekend to confirm!). I spent time crafting and created [insert fantastic adjective here] stationary for my friend/boss who will be welcoming a new bundle of joy into the world this next week!

So I turned in for the night and looked forward to sleeping in just a bit on Saturday morning before a trip to the gym. No Such Thing. Our building's glorious industrial fire alarm roared it's ugly head at 6:30am. No fire - someone moving a couch hit the sprinkler causing the 2nd floor of our building to turn into waterfront condos. Sophie, our little lovie, was terrified of this disgustingly loud alarm that screamed for about 30 minutes. She is not the same even after the weekend. Skiddish, timid, and scared, she sits at home and doesn't move. Today's To Do list includes researching traumatized cat rehabilitation techniques. Odd.

Dr. Dashing and I spent Saturday evening with a friend who will be moving away this week for a new job; lots of congratulations and sadness as we are excited for his new opportunity but sad to see him leave.

On Sunday, Dashing and I crawled out way out of bed both desperately needing some sleep-in time, but headed to church. It turned out to be one of the best sermons about giving thanks to God for all He has given us. It touched my heart as most of us all so often forget to give thanks for all we've been given. Spending Sunday with Dashing's family that afternoon (just flew back in from an impromptu trip to Quebec City and Montreal, such jet setters!) was a delight and I thank God everyday that He put them in my life.