Monday, November 26, 2007

Growing Up


So, I'm just going to say it: I really miss freshman year.

Last night, I went to Anna's house to plan the Christmas party. After planning, we went to Catherine's room because we wanted to watch a video we made in their dorm room freshman year. I think we made it right after decorating our rooms for Christmas. We recorded ourselves dancing around to a Britney Spears Christmas song. It's hilarious, and could probably be used as blackmail.

We got sad after watching the video because we remembered how much fun we had.

We were dorks, and didn't care.

We would say "Howdy!" to every stranger we would pass on campus. Actually, we would yell it. If they didn't respond, we'd inform them, "You have to say 'howdy!' back!"

We would break into the boys' dorm and blow air horns, then run out before the RAs could find us.

One day, we took the Number 01 bus to Sbisa because we didn't want to walk from South Side because we thought it was really far. It took about an hour.

We didn't have cars so one day, Catherine and I walked to Barnes & Noble from the dorm just to buy a book. I think it started raining on the way back.

I miss eating in Rumours for almost every meal, because it had the best food on campus. One time, it started pouring while we were eating, so Catherine and I made umbrellas out of the plate covers. They didn't really work.

We had a lot of fun.

I miss it.

On a different note, Thanksgiving was great. The food was amazing. I think it's my favorite kind of food in the world! The ham is actually my favorite part. I don't know where it's from, but it's amazing. I'm drooling right now.

I got to meet a lot of family members that I didn't even know existed.

I got to talk to my dad about money during the break too, which was really good. He is very good with money, and I found out that our family has been debt-free for the past 20 years. I think that is incredible! My mom doesn't work, and there are five of us girls. I think that's pretty amazing that my dad is able to do that. I have a lot of respect for him! I learned a lot about investing (that's the secret) and saving. We came up with a plan for me to save continually once I start working.

Slowly and surely, I am becoming an adult. It's really weird. I expected growing up to happen the day you graduate from college. One day, you're still a kid, the next, you're a grown-up and you do grown-up things.

That's not really how it happens, thankfully.

You learn a little each day.

One day, you learn how to go to the doctor's all on your own.

One day, you learn what to do if the air in your tires gets low (I probably learned this later than most).

One day, you learn to take care of yourself when you are sick, or to suck it up and get on with life instead of staying home and watching tv.

One day, you learn how to set up an account with the gas company.

One day, you learn that you aren't so young anymore.

It's a slow process, and it happens gradually.

Your friends start pairing off and getting engaged and getting married right in front of your eyes, faster than you would like.

They get that "Mrs." in front of a new last name. Soon, they'll start having babies. Their own families.

Then you have to start choosing whose family to spend the holidays with.

It's really weird.

One day, that will be me. I'll be a grown-up.

Until then, I continue to learn a little bit each day and allow God to slowly mold me into the woman He wants me to be. I'm okay with that.

-katie

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I feel ya girl! If it makes you feel better, I wouldn't know the first thing about putting air into my tires.

Anonymous said...

Your blog makes me want to cry...
-I'm not ready to grow up!

Anonymous said...

Man I loved that post! Even though freshman year was so tough for me, I find myself missing those fun times we had! Man i can't believe you rode the bus to sbisa and it took an hour! I really like how you said we learn a little bit each day! That is soooo true! It's weird, and sad at the same time because I miss all the past fun times and I don't know what my future holds. But I do know that God does and he has a plan for both of us!