My Quarter Life Crisis- The Trials and Tribulations of a 20-Something

Photo Credit (http://the20somethingcondition.tumblr.com/)

Let me begin by saying, I think I’m having a quarter life crisis – 

Everyone idealizes their 20’s. Our parents reminisce over those “wonder years” with sheer fondness, and teenagers can’t wait to transcend their teens and land in their magnificent 20’s. Yes, every decade has its ups and downs, but I’m finding my 20’s to be specifically difficult to navigate. I’m not the first person to think this. I just recently watched Meg Jay’s TedTalk and finished the book, Girls in White Dresses, and sociologists have done loads of research on what they call “the changing timetable for adulthood.” My mom’s friends, family members, and others ask me about my 20’s as if I’m living out some fairytale, but let me tell you, I’m no Cinderella. I am beyond grateful for my college education, and my parent’s ability to support me during this confusing time, and, yes, it’s great to be young, my skin still has its elasticity, and none of my body parts have migrated south, BUT…

Photo Credit: (http://foreveruntiltheend.com/2012/03/going-nowhere-3/)

20-Something Isn't So Glamorous:

1.     We all pretend to have our life together but 99.9% of the time we have no idea what we are doing.
2.     The majority of all job postings require at least three years experience – it’s lucky if I have three months worth of experience in anything I set out to do.
3.     In college, classes like the “Science of Beer,” “Herbalisim,” and “How Hip Hop Happens” were among the most popular courses. Alternatively, courses on how to be a grown up - “APR 101,” “How to Land a Job, Not Another Unpaid Internship,” or “Why Long Credit History is Essential”- would have been helpful. 
4.     My e-mail is never empty. It isn’t Facebook updates validating my popularity; it’s my mom’s daily heap of job postings (majority of which list three years experience as the principal requirement.)
5.  I have become chronically indecisive. One morning I wake up wanting to change and travel the world, knowing that this is my one and only life to live. Five minutes pass, and I’ve now decided I need to start my life; I need to become a “real adult” with 9-5 responsibility and a stable paycheck. Lunch rolls around and I’m hungry, next thing you know, I’m moving to Italy to become a chef…
6.     You are forced to join Meet Up because meeting people in your 20-somethings is near impossible. I eagerly joined a ladies book club only to find that they meet after Lamaze class on Wednesdays…
7.     The two most popular conversation topics are, “what are you doing with your life?” and “what are your plans are for the future?” These questions are commonly asked by people going on to attend med school or have just landed some glamorous job gallivanting around the world. I’m more than happy to discuss my current internship, but my future remains embarrassingly vague. To avoid humiliation I am forced to either (a) embellish the truth (b) mumble something and quickly change the subject or (c) hide, run, or pretend like I don’t recognize that old friend waving at me from across the street who just got accepted to law school. 
8.   Although you are more than happy for your successful friends, you can’t squash that little bit of bubbling envy. The majority of your 20-something friends are floundering in the same sea of confusion, however, a select few have clung onto that rare piece of driftwood for dear life. Neither law nor medicine have ever been subjects of interest, but as I pathetically bob and gasp for air, I secretly envy/loath those friends drifting down a path going anywhere but here.
9.     Just because college ended, doesn’t mean the party stopped. If you know me at all, then you know I have an 80-year-old soul. I like to go to sleep early and wake up early. If I’m feeling extra frisky, a few drinks at happy hour beats any club or late-night bar scene. Over the past three months of post-grad life I’ve learned it isn’t yet acceptable to fully relinquish your college partying ways until you’ve settled down and joining the Lamaze book club is actually a viable option. When 20-somethings think about their future, they want to be able to reminisce about their “crazy youth” as they sit at home frustrated and tired as they burp the newborn baby. I’m no where near wanting to settle down, but I much prefer a glass of wine and an early night in over feeling the effects of a hangover. Is that such a crime?
10. Songs start to make serious sense. Queen’s Under Pressure has never rung so true.  Brittany Spears hit the nail on the head with Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman - we contemplate life when someone calls us “mam”, but want to punch the bartender when he asks us for our ID. Jimmy Cliff speaks to us 20-something as we are all Sitting Here In Limbo.
11.  Up until recent, our lives have been more or less mapped out for us via school-time milestones. We have always had a vague idea of what came next whether it be middle school, high school, or college. Things like where we would attend school, what groups we would be a part of, and what classes we would take were always uncertain, but at least there were always traces of solid stepping-stones. Now that college has ended, those guiding milestones have disappeared. We are forced to find a path to success in a timeless, milestone-less abyss where the options are endless. As idealistic as unbounded opportunity may sound to the “got-it-together 30-somethings” and beyond, just remember the last time you stood dumbfounded at Baskin-Robbins trying to choose a single flavor out of the 31 original flavors...    

A Post Graduate Girl's Guide to Los Angeles

The Hollywood sign!

 I spent the last week in sunny Los Angeles with my “California gurls” –aka my best friends from college. We spent the day’s outdoors, relaxing at the beach and hiking to the Hollywood sign, and the night’s exploring restaurants and bars. Although only recently graduated, I couldn’t help but notice how fast the college stage has flushed out of our systems. Our friendships have remained the same, picking up right where we had left off, but needless to say, the “real world” has obviously run its course. Instead of drinking “Natty Ice” or shots of Smirnoff vodka, we casually sipped on handcrafted drinks at Public School 612and Sassafras. 

It's an uphill battle to reach the top...

Public School is a quintessential LA hotspot that plays up a school time vibe. The menus are composition notebooks, and the napkins are reminiscent of lined paper. It is “education in the art of wine and beer.” Menu Here!

Sassafras is a speak-easy saloon located in central Hollywood that features ginger beer and barrel aged cocktails to fit the 1933 feel. I sipped on a cucumber mule and soaked up the essence of my favorite era. Menu Here! 

Instead of eating at cheap and predictable, we tried multiple LA restaurants like Terroni and Short Order. We also explored places like The Brentwood Country Mart, a shopping district full of trendy shops. My favorite shop was Roberta-Roller-Rabbit. (I’m dying to get some of their patterned sheets -check em' out here!). Also make sure to check out Sugar Paper. It's great for little gifts, wrapping, and home decor. For lunch I’d recommend Lemonade, a healthy lemonade stand with great lemonade.

Brentwood Country Market Botiques

The Denver Guide to Summer 2013

Grab your sunnies, SPF, and hats because it's the first day of SUMMER - below is my summer guide to Denver, enjoy!

Image via wikimedia

- Get your tickets for some Red Rocks Concerts (Calendar Here)
- Cherry Creek North Food and Wine Festival (August 10th)
- Cherry Creek Arts Festival (July 5-7th)
- Get a group together for a game of "Keg-Ball" in Washington Park
- Take advantage of Denver Beer Co.'s outdoor patio while you sip some brews
- Pearl Street Music Festivals
- Make a morning out of exploring Denver's Farmer's Markets
- Grab a blanket and head out for Denver Movies Under The Stars
- Grab your bike and join the Denver Cruisers
- Ride your bike to a near by bar or restaurant or explore the 850 miles of Denver's bike trails
- Venture down to city park for City Park Jazz
- Drive up to WinterPark's Alpine Slide
- Go on a Hike
- Get your tickets for Westword's Music Showcase (July 22nd)
- Go Camping
- First Friday's Arts Walks are so much fun
- Explore the exhibits at the Denver Art Museum
- See celebrity chef demonstrations the at Cultivate Festival (August 17th)
- Every Thursday in July at 6:30 p.m. go to the Confluence Park Concerts
- Go to Civic Center Eats for lunch and test out a new Food Truck every Tuesday and Thursday
- Walk Boulder's Pearl Street, the "happiest" city in America
- It's expensive but if you have an event to plan, check out Denver Bike Bar and pedal around town while drinking some local brews.
- Make your reservations far in advance or enjoy Linger's rooftop bar.
- If you're like me, and you go to baseball games for the company and not necessarily for the game, get cheap Rock Pile tickets for a Rockies game
- Grab your picnic basket and get your tickets for a Botanic Gardens concert (I'm sad to see that the Indigo Girls are already sold out)
- I've yet to try this, but go on the LoDo to RiNo's Beer Walking Tour
- For those yoga lovers like myself, whip out your mat and go to Yoga Rocks the Park (Select Sundays)

30 Facts

I haven't been keeping up with my 30-day writing challenge too religiously (I'm only on day six) but since I finally got around to it, I thought I would share.

Day 6: 30 Interesting Facts About ME

1.     My favorite day of the week is Sunday.

2.     Mornings are the best part of my day - nothing beats a cup of strong black coffee.

3.     I want to learn how to garden and know plants by name.

4.     My left cheek is decorated with a port-wine stain – a birthmark consisting of dilated capillaries under my the skin.

5.     It is my best friend and my greatest adversary. It knows all my secrets but broadcasts my internal tides; turning red when I am angry, pale when I am calm, and purple when I am cold.

6.     I rarely venture outside red hues when painting my toes.

7.     One of the only things I want out of life is the opportunity to travel.

8.     I am a synchronized swimmer (no I don’t wear a flowery swim cap or dive in sideways).

9.     Two things I hope to learn before I die is the art of relaxation and true self-love.

10. Peanut butter is my absolute favorite food.

11. I’ve seen a chicken run around with its head chopped off. (It’s not just a saying)

12.  I am a vegetarian.

13. I’ve rode in a hot air balloon.

14. Someday I want to sell a work of art – preferably my own.

15.  Nothing annoys me more than cell phones at the dinner table.

16. My photography has been featured in an Italian art gallery.

17.  I’ve hit a pedestrian with a car.

18. I don’t like watching T.V. or movies but I have my exceptions (The Bachelor).

19. I try to do the Kings crossword puzzle every morning, but I’ve only finished it once.

20. I’ve been on two private jets and the 7th largest private yacht in the world.

21. I’ve hitchhiked to a bus station. The man that picked me up didn’t speak English.

22. I’ve sat on the Friends couch in Central Perk.

23. I’ve literally ran into Hulk Hogan, it was like hitting a brick wall.

24. My grandparents live four houses away from me.

25. I wish there was a job that involved writing, travel, photography, art, culture, and design all wrapped into one splendid package. If you know of one, LET ME KNOW!

26. I am most thankful for my family.

27. I wish the world smelled like the Tommy Bahamas store.

28. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

29. I can crook my left eyebrow and can’t whistle.

30. I’ve over come many struggles and have the perseverance to overcome many more.

Day 2 Of The 30-Day Challenge

I thought I would share my response to day two of my challenge...

30-Day Challenge:

Day 2: Where you want to be in 10 years:

Just like driving and looking through the rearview mirror; the next chapters in our life are partially dictated by our past. As we drive onward, time passes and we get older, but before we switch lanes, and change the course of our path, we must check the mirror and look over our shoulder; we must look to the past. “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.” Ten years ago, I was 12 years old, amidst the woes of 6^th grade. I had braces, tight fitted clothes and “best friends” that I never talk to today. Looking in the rearview mirror, my time as a twelve-year-old girl appears further away than it truly is. That girl had not yet experienced high school or college, the writhing pains of a broken heart, or importance of family. These life experiences are what make our past appear further away than it really is. The 12-year-old girl innocently walked around with concerns that seem foreign to the 22-year-old girl driving today.

Looking at the road ahead we need a safety warning, “Objects ahead are further away than they appear.” When we think about our future, we often think of it as a mirage looming right around the corner. The 32-year-old girl that looms large in my future appears closer to my 22-year-old reality than the 12-year-old girl of the past. Gaining this type of perspective allows for a more hopeful picture of the future. When I compare the 12-year-old girl to the 22-year old girl, I can only think of all the things I wish I could have told her. Although I am struggling with the girl I am today, the past ten years of experience have drastically differentiated me from the girl I was. I can’t imagine what another 10 years will teach me. Instead of speeding down the road with the idea that the future appears closer than it does in reality, we must remind ourselves to look back to the past and notice that objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.

That being said, in 10 years, I hope I will have a career that I love, friends that I cherish and regularly see, and a husband or boyfriend that loves me for my faults. More important than anything, I hope that I will have learned true self-love and the gift of living a true and fulfilling life. It’s nice to know that I have time and so many life experiences ahead of me before I truly am 32. I can’t imagine all the changes and things I will learn before that day arrives.      

A Little Soul Searching

Ever since graduating, I’ve been able to put a lot more time and thought into myself. Between work, friends, and family we often lose sight of who we truly are and what is most important to us. I’ve decided to take this precious time that I have been given to focus on what makes me truly happy. What better time to do a little soul searching than now?   

Here are five activities that I’ve done. Maybe you can try them too. 

1.     Commit to a 30-day challenge like the one I’ve started here. For the next thirty days I’ve decided to eat my breakfast outside and write a response to every one of these prompts. It’s surprising how much you learn about yourself.

2.     Write a thank you letter. We all do little things for each other every day; however, these selfless acts often go unnoticed. It feels great to sit down and tell someone just how thankful you are for their friendship, their role in your life, or for leaving you the last cup of coffee.

(image via weheartit.com)

3.     List your top 10 values and ask yourself if your way of life coincides with those values. I took the late afternoon to sit outside with a cup of tea and think it over. I found that the things I cherish most were family, nature, and health. 

4.     Go for a walk and try to remain in the present moment. Try not to let your mind wander, but just appreciate the exact moment your in. (This one is hard)

(via allthingseurope)

5.     Find a favorite place that you can easily get to. Mine is in my backyard. 

(via rufflesandstuff)

A Day Well Spent

I spent my Saturday sucking up all that a Colorado spring day has to offer- spending most of the day outside. I started out the day at the first Cherry Creek farmer’s market of the season. I bought some delicious local cheeses, spicy chilies, and sweet rolls (the yummy chocolate croissants and the cinnamon rolls have been a family tradition). Later, I went to the outdoor antique market where we found so many treasures.  

I tasted different cheeses to find the perfect one for the grilled cheese and fig sandwiches I plan on making this week. See the recipe here. 

These artichokes were the size of my head!

These are the cinnamon rolls my family has always loved.

At the antique market, I talked to the woman who made these hand-painted tiles. 

I just recently bought two succulents for my room and now I have a growing obsession.

I couldn't help but fall for this lamp's charm, I ended up purchasing it at the end of the day.

Weekend Do's!

After Wednesday's spring snowstorm, I'm in desperate need of some weekend inspiration to cure my lost spring spirit. Here are a few things to try and do this weekend - I'm crossing my fingers for better weather than predicted...

This weekend marks the start of the Kentucky Derby. Throw a "Southern Traditions" inspired party or just dig out that springy, floral dress for the festivities. 

Saturday morning I plan on venturing down to the farmers market. Instead of buying the week's veggies at the grocery store, the farmers market helps Colorado family farmers stay in business. Not only do you get the most nutritious and fresh produce, but it helps the environment by cutting down the average 2,000 miles most produce must travel to reach your grocer.  

My family is in the midst of redecorating so we've spent our weekends shopping for furniture and fabrics. Antiques are about the only thing we can agree on plus it gives us another reason to support local businesses. A list of the more than 50 vendors can be viewed here.

Lastly, Cinco De Mayo is a great opportunity to throw a fiesta! This grapefruit margarita is a great twist on the traditional recipe. Not only do we plan on making some margs, but some chicken and vegetarian fajitas as well. 

Happy Weekend! 

Denver, Spring Has Sprung This Sunday!

As I’ve said before, Sunday is my favorite day of the week. Now that I’ve finished school, this splendid day has gotten even better. The impending doom of Monday isn’t even there to taunt me- at least until I get a job… For me, Sundays consist of multiple cups of leisurely coffee, crossword puzzles, and CBS’s Sunday Morning. This Sunday morning was especially brilliant now that the Colorado’s snow has melted and signs of spring are in full swing. Last night, we wheeled out our patio umbrella and made burgers for our first outdoor dinner. This morning was just as nice, as I spent the later part of the morning in the garden. I dug out my favorite gardening hat from the depths of the closet (see the 2013 collection here) and planted a few Dianthuses around the garden.

Keeping the sun off my face with my packable San Diego Hat!

These were on sale for only 30 cents each!

Dianthus are annuals, meaning they re-bloom every year. 

The final product, happy Sunday!

Big Yellow Taxi - Don't It Always Seem to Go?

As of five days ago, I am officially a college grad! I spent the last few months of school counting down the days until graduation. The “real world” loomed large and exciting, a luring brunch buffet of opportunity. I had spent the entire semester working on my thesis, studying for finals, and I had grown tired of the college social scene. The excitement for the next chapter of my life drove me into a frenzied hurry to the finish line -no matter how uncertain and vague the impending path appeared.

Now that I am back at home, the exhilaration has yet to fade, however, returning to Colorado with high hopes has illuminated one of my biggest faults. That fault being that I rarely relish the moment. This inability to exist in the moment is the late cousin of another dictating trait of mine, “drive”. I never fully enjoy any one moment, as I seek out aspects that can always be better. My optimistic face understands these two familial traits as my innate strive for success and my inability to settle for nothing less than the best. My pessimistic face, however, rears it’s ugly head and understands these traits as a fault, a failure to delight in life’s small gifts. I guess it’s not only my flaw, but human nature’s as a whole. After all, both Joni Mitchell and the Counting Crows cashed in with the famous lyric, “don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone?” Since the song hit in the 70’s, that lyric has universally rung true and sums up my tenacious yet fast paced manner in which I accomplish things. I am a slave to my schedule with an addiction to productivity; I meet the deadline without looking up. This way of living has served me well, having graduated with departmental honors, Phi Beta Kappa, and magna cum laude. But as I look at the blueprints to my future, I need to find a happier medium, one that allows me to exploit the positive face of my traits, while simultaneously letting some of my more “relaxed” traits shine through. Now that the stress of finals has subsided and reality has (not so gracefully) waltzed in, I’ve realized that I didn’t quite know what I had until now, when it’s gone. I was blessed with an amazing education that opened my mind to new views and a newfound love of learning, I was fortunate enough to have created my own family of friends that will always remain true, and through this experience I’ve learned a lot about myself. I don’t long for added collegiate years, but rather a new pair of lenses that allow me to count my blessings in the moment rather than after they happen. When walking down a new street we often notice the tree on our right, the gap in the cement that almost makes us trip, or the hand panted pots that line the entryway to someone’s home. It’s over time, that we forget what it was like to not be able to read or ride a bike. As I layout my cards and decide the direction of my next step, I hope to make a conscious effort to unearth the little delights, to breathe, and slowly sip my coffee. 

Things I Learned In College

 I am more like my mom and dad than I ever thought possible; I am abnormally clean and go to sleep abnormally early.

I am smart, some people just have to work harder than others but in the end hard work does pay off.

I have a truly amazing family; and that is surprisingly rare.

Home at Christmas and Thanksgiving time never smells and feels more perfect.

True friends are those that accept and love you for your faults.

After finding those kinds of friends, they become the family you chose for yourself

“Pre-gaming” with vodka shots is never a good idea

By senior year, the excitement of going to a frat party is replaced by the excitement of sharing an early 

night in with a friend and a bottle of wine.

Things are meant to happen for a reason; sometimes it just takes longer to discover that reason.

Being sick away from home is awful, the common’s soup pails in comparison to mom’s.

I love black coffee and hate Dubstep

Country music isn’t horrible.

I love Denver; water does taste different.

Be cautious in choosing whom you surround yourself with; it is human nature to be easily influenced.

True friends are a mirror we often neglect to see ourselves through; but it is through this mirror that the 

faults we hide from ourselves are often revealed. 

You can’t love yourself through the eyes of others; learning to love yourself through your own is quite the battle.

Lulu Lemon makes amazing yoga pants.

For many people, a slice of pizza is a snack?

Early mornings with a cup of coffee and NPR are my favorite part of the day.

Sit at the front of the class and actually do the readings, it’s interesting.

Looking at yourself in the mirror when you are drunk is never a good idea.

Own a lot of underwear and socks; laundry day only comes once a month.

In the long run, he did me a favor

The other one taught me a lesson

Gender inequality still exists

My drive and perfectionism are my best and worst qualities; crossing something off of my “To-Do” gives me a scary amount of pleasure.

Drinking a glass of water before bed after a night of drinking often divides the difference between feeling good and having a hangover.

Washing your clothes in the sink is never as good as the actual washing machine.

I don’t know how to spell.

Classy is much sexier than sexy.

Going abroad gives you a type of independence you can’t learn anywhere else.

Four years of college is neither too long or too short, it’s the perfect amount of time.

St. Peter's Square

With graduation right around the corner, I spend a lot of time thinking about how fast time has passed by. I stumbled upon this picture and couldn't help but feel some sort of connection. More than a year ago I was in Italy, studying abroad in Cortona. I stood in St. Peter's square and experienced St. Peter's Basilica for myself. It's hard not to get wrapped up in the daily schedules of our lives, but seeing a tangible representation of passing time made me relish the moment I'm in (well at least for at least a brief second...)