1. I've decided that one of my passions in life is singing. Even if it's just karaoke, I feel so much better when I sing. Part of it is being the center of attention, in the crowd, receiving positive reinforcement afterward, but part of it is just the sheer joy of making music. I wish I were a better songwriter, I really do, because I would dive right into that. As it is, I'm planning on perhaps starting or finding a cover band that I can do vocals for. Maybe sing at weddings, etc.
2. I just turned 25 last Thursday (yikes) and I'm starting to feel a lot like that one person in every LDS singles ward that is just a little older and out-of-place than everyone else. Since my singles ward covers a whole stake area, there are actually a lot of us older people, but when you look around and realize that most everyone else in the group that you'd really like to be a part of is 5 years younger than you, it becomes surreal, and a little sad. I wish I fit in better, and sitting by myself because I don't want to barge into the younger group isn't really a great feeling, but at the same time, I've earned every one of those 5 years, so what do you do? Sometimes you just have to accept that you're NOT going to fit in, and learn to live with being "independent," until the right friends come along. Most friends closer to my age are now engaged or married, and that's been tough, not because I'm envious or anything, but because the luxury of spur-of-the-moment planning is gone for them, and it's hard to just hang out with them, even though I often feel more in sync with them than the singles ward crowd. I'm more than ready to go to BYU-Idaho and have more variety, not just with guys, but with friends closer to my age and life experience.
3. I got my hair done on Friday, just touching up the roots so I can be an official blonde again. I love being blonde, but anyway. The point of this finding is that while I was at the salon, there were a lot of "little old ladies" there for their weekly appointments. They were hilarious, but it got me thinking, as I looked at them with their unique style of putting on makeup and preference for hairstyling, is that just how they've always done it since their younger years in the 50s? Or is there a point somewhere in their later years where they start to do perms and stenciled eyebrows? It's like people who wear mom jeans. We know that there was a point where they wore acid-wash pegleg pants, so where did the mom jeans happen? When will I stop dressing "younger" and start dressing like a mom or a grandma? Or will this generation be able to eliminate the mom jeans once and for all?
4. I've just started week 3 of the Nutrisystem diet, and while I had some slipups at the end of last week (birthday party, food testing requirements for secret-shopping a fast food place), overall it's going well. I'm really, really ready for next month though, because there's several foods that I just have found to be gross, so I've put off eating them...now they're starting to become more dominant in my food box. blech. Still, having food provided is the best part about this diet. Except for a few isolated moments, I have been doing well resisting fast food. I'm learning a lot about myself too. I've realized I used fast food as a reward for myself, and I've done it for a long time. Now I can't do that, so I'm having to find other ways of making myself feel better (which may explain my shopping spree early last week..). It's really tough, and it means that I've been, not really depressed, but kind of on a plateau, with no real emotions up or down. It's slowly tipping though, and like I said in a previous post, I love not feeling guilty about what I eat. That really is making a difference in my outlook on, well, everything. I never realized how big of a role food played in my life before. As well, I'm learning to watch my calories, and take advantage of zero-calorie products like Splenda (I've concluded Splenda is better than Equal, which is too powdery) and diet 7up. I poured a small glass of Sprite at a potluck yesterday, and was shocked to realize that 8 oz. has 140 calories. That's an entire meal on the Nutrisystem diet! Diet soda, it is.
5. My parents are on this rather hilarious pre-retirement kick. It started just before I moved back home, and is really ramping up, with several trips just completed, and a new one being planned. They go on trips a lot, and have bought expensive, durable suitcases that are just the right size for carry-ons. My mom also keeps a ready-to-go toiletry bag with TSA-approved liquids underneath the bathroom sink so it's easier for packing. They have a well-used timeshare, and my mom just got an Alaska Airlines credit card that gives you extra miles when you use it to purchase Alaska airfare. I went with them to Houston last month, and they have a total regimen down at the airports. It's really interesting to watch, and it's kind of funny as an adult kid to see my parents actually enjoying themselves on trips, and spending money on themselves. My memories of childhood family vacations are basically good, but certainly they aren't as relaxing for the parents or the oldest child when you have a hyper younger brother and a frugal budget to remember. Certainly, I'd say my parents are making up for lost time a bit, but also, they ARE approaching retirement age, and I think they will have a good time when that arrives.
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