What's my age again?

No one should take themselves so seriously With many years ahead to fall in line Why would you wish that on me? I never want to act my age What's my age again? What's my age again?

Read more: BLINK 182 - WHAT'S MY AGE AGAIN? LYRICS

No one should take themselves so seriously With many years ahead to fall in line Why would you wish that on me? I never want to act my age What's my age again? What's my age again?

Read more: BLINK 182 - WHAT'S MY AGE AGAIN? LYRICS

Read more: BLINK 182 - WHAT'S MY AGE AGAIN? LYRICS "

"With many years ahead to fall in line
Why would you wish that on me?
I never want to act my age
What's my age again?
What's my age again?" - Blink 182

No one should take themselves so seriously With many years ahead to fall in line Why would you wish that on me? I never want to act my age What's my age again? What's my age again?

Read more: BLINK 182 - WHAT'S MY AGE AGAIN? LYRICS

 Okay, I know I did not finish the thankful for a month posts, but other things took priority. Did I ever mention how short of an attention span I can have?

Anyways, lately my thoughts focus on how things are drastically changing for people my age (If nothing tells you about my age, the fact that I listen to Blink 182 should). It seems almost every time I log into Facebook someone is either pregnant or getting married. When I go home, my fiance's parents tell me so and so is having a baby or engaged. Seriously, right now I feel like pregnancy is a disease. That is not to say it's not a beautiful thing, but right now, babies are not what I want. However, the other group continues to grow, those who are getting married, and now I fit into this category as well. It feels weird somehow like it snuck up on me. I see others years younger than I get married or have children, and it's hard to believe we may be at that age where it's time to start families. Are we really there already? For all of us, no some probably are not.  Yet, here I sit now with a ring on my finger, soon to marry the love of my life, and not so long ago this seemed impossible.

Reflecting upon the past and how things change for others, I am so grateful that this is where my life headed towards. There were many chances for it to dive and blow up like a nuclear disaster. A very old friend contacted me yesterday. Over the years, we went our separate ways, because we each traveled a different path than the other. Life changes. We changed, but sadly, life did not go upwards for her. Instead, a series of extremely unfortunate events happened, because of poor decisions, drugs, and losing control. It can happen to anyone. Still, it's sad to see someone's life torn to shreds. When I asked her originally how she was, she responded she did not want to tell me, because it sounded embarrassing compared to how my life is going. That's why this subject is still strongly impressed upon me today.

Question: How many times do we try to plan our lives out?

I do not know about the rest of you, but I have constantly tried to sketch out my life the way I want it.

Next question: How often does life work out the way you plan it?

As far as my life and the others I know close to me, life never goes the way we planned it. For some, it ends up better; for some, it's worse.

For example, I planned to go to UMBC for four years, get a job, possibly get married, and then down the road have a few kids. Thus far, I transferred to Purdue, am still in the process of graduating, and am getting married next year. That's quite a change. Through this I learned not to plan everything, and I really do not anymore. Next summer, I have no clue what is going on. Besides a few things, I cannot plan a month from now, because life is ever-changing. Finally, I think I learned something quite valuable.

Dabbling in the future leads to trouble. We end up disappointed, saddened, or wondering where we went wrong sometimes. Honestly, for those I see who live out their lives the way they planned (or theirs parents have) seem awfully boring and colorless. Too many things are expected, and they lack adventures, learning new things, and many priceless opportunities.

The plan was always graduate high school, college, marry, and then have kids; I hear this for quite a few people. It's engrained is us through society and through our families. Very few of us live this formula, and I never will. Switch things around, delete one, add another, and make life your own. Do not let anyone ever tell you what your life should look like unless you are unhappy with it. I love my life, and I am excited to see where it takes not only me but my family. Soon, I will have my own, and in an odd ball way, my dreams are coming true.

If I have anything worth listening to today, this is it. Live for you, create your own beautiful story, and do it all to make yourself happy.

Being Thankful Everday (Days 8-14)

Here we go! It's round two of thankfulness, and this time the things I am thankful for are a little more all over the place.

8. I am thankful for love. Love comes in many forms. It may be for a partner, family, friends, pets, and many others. The beautiful thing about love is it's versatility, and the fact that we as humans can feel such a profound emotion. It makes this world beautiful and brings hope. Sometimes we fall in love, out of love, or love people we sometimes cannot stand (it happens to us all). Remember as corny as it sounds, with love anything is possible. I truly do believe that.

9. I am thankful for my friends (you didn't think I forgot you, did you?). Over the course of my life, I have known many wonderful people. Remember back in those younger years, we'd find a friend and say, "We'll be best friends forever." Some people do have that, and that friendship is something to cherish. My life is a little different with friends but no less great. Few of my friends have I been close to since I was little. Probably the longest friendship I have had is the man who is now my fiance. Yet, throughout my life, I have been friends with many different people in different place, and they have made me a better person. I love you all dearly including the friends I may not converse with as much as I used too. Life is busy and always changing, and I hope you know that I am thankful for you.

10. I am thankful for individually-sized food items. Maybe I am a bit OCD, but I love having things in individual packages. My fridge is full of them: lunchables, juice boxes, fruit cups, yogurt, string cheese, diet coke, and salads. These items make lunches very easy for a college woman on the go, and that would be me! I rarely have time to fix lunch, and living in a dormitory, it's more of a hassle than I want. Plus, these items remind me of when I was a child. I do not care how odd I look to my peers. I feed my inner child in more way than one, and I am thankful to the simple things that make life easier.

11. I am thankful for all the veterans who have fought for this country. Though sometimes, I am appalled at the things my government does, I still have more freedom and opportunities than many in this world. I have the right to free speech, an education, and to pursue happiness. Sometimes it seems surreal. However, when you look at a memorial with all the names of the dead, it is clear that they all felt our country was worth the fighting. To all those I know personally in the military currently, I am thankful for every time you come home safely.

12. I am thankful for those who help others, especially doctors and therapists. At some point in everyone's life, we all had to ask someone else for help. It may not be a doctor but rather a friend or family member. I have been there, and I am thankful those who helped me get back on track in life.No one is perfect, and sometimes things feel out of control. I still have days like that now and then. Who doesn't? However, for everyday I get through with even only a moment of happiness is steps beyond where I once was. Sometimes those dark moments seem surreal, and those memories feel like just bad dreams. Therefore, I am thankful to those who helped me get past those moments so I can handle today.

13. I am thankful for the internet and other newer technologies. Now, pay attention for a minute. I know there are a lot of risky things on the net, and most of them I do not want to see either. Yet, the internet has allowed for a global community, easy communication, and resources impossible to access before. As an English major, I am VERY happy that I do not have to venture to multiple libraries for every paper. I love school, but I can be a lazy student. As well, the internet lets me talked to loved ones far away such as my sister up north and my friends out east.Without the net, I am rarely ever talk to them again, because phones cost more than they are worth sometimes. At certain moments, I hate technology and the internet due to frustration or over-exposure. Regardless, I am thankful to all of it, because it improves the quality of life for everyone in more ways than I can describe here.

14. I am thankful for my health. Thank goodness I have decent health, because I am not always as good to my body as I should be. I do not sleep enough, drink way too much caffeine, and treat myself to bad food now and then (usually in the form of pizza lunchables!). However, I have been blessed to rarely be ill. I get colds now and then, my body aches constantly, but it could be much worse. I watch people with conditions struggle through and make the best of what they have. Regardless, I can still walk, see, talk, and am free of any serious illnesses. That is something to always be thankful for!

 Now that Thanksgiving is nearing, think of what you are thankful for. Many of you post things on facebook, but I am curious. What are you thankful for? Is it something serious, silly, small, or big? The important thing is to remember we all have something to be thankful for this month. 

Being Thankful Everday (Days 1-7)

Here is one thing for each day before Thanksgiving that I am thankful for:

1. I am thankful for my wonderful best friend and someday husband. He gives me everything I could want in a partner and so much more. He comforts me physically, emotionally, and mentally. He has seen me through the worst of times and still loves me regardless. We are best when we are together, and he pushes me to be better every day. He makes me happy, even after fights and frustration. It's rare in this world to find someone who loves everything about someone including their bad side. I love him more each day.

2.I am thankful for my sister. She is really my pseudo-mother, and not a week goes by without us talking for hours on the phone. When I'm sad, happy, angry, or hurt, she is there to listen, share, and relate. She supports me in all I do, and never gives up on me. I love talking with her whether it is funny moments to share, talking about food (which happens a lot!), or venting about the craziness each of us has in our lives. Honestly, she has been there for me more than anyone this past year. Our time together is never long enough, and I wish I lived closer to her. However, no matter what the distance, I still have the most wonderful sister in world. I love you and cannot wait to see you this Christmas. 

3.  I am thankful for my parents. They brought me into this world and raised me to be an independent woman. Though we struggle and fight a lot, I will always love them. They taught me an appreciation for food, and gave me a sense of humor quite different from others. They let me fall down and learn from my mistakes just as we all continue to in life. All of us are split up now, but that does not discredit the wonderful memories we made as a family. Some things change for the better for worse, but thank you for giving me life. Mom, I could not be in school without you, and you would do anything for me. That means more than I can describe, and I'm sorry it's been so rough for us lately. However, you and I are making it, and we will continue to make our lives wonderful. Dad, I miss you, but we each have to do what is best for us individually. I will cherish the wonderful memories, and I hope someday we will have more. 

4. I am thankful for my soon-to-be in-laws. After living with you for the summer, I am amazed we survived (just kidding!). You really have be there through a lot of the recent tough times, and Lyla, I know you understand first-hand all I go through. I am very proud to call you my second mom. You are living proof that no matter what life throws you, it is possible to have a wonderful family and life.  We have a lot to be happy for! David, I know you and I do not always see eye-to-eye, but thank you for caring so much about your son and I. Thank you both for bringing him into the world, because without that, I would not have him in my life. David, I hope to grow closer to you more and more as time goes on, and you do everything with love.  Thank you for taking me in, and continuing to be supportive. I love you both very much. 

5. I am thankful my education. Every day at school I continue to learn. I love learning even when I do not want to do the work (we all have those moments). My continuing education teaches me about the world, its communities, and its individuals. It is amazing to use my individual talents to prepare for a career. It isn't always easy, but I would not change a minute of it. Through my two schools, I have met amazing teachers, learned wonderful things, and met remarkable friends.  

6. I am thankful for having the means to get by month to month. If it may not seem important to all, but there have been days and nights worrying about bills. Whether I like it or not, I need money to survive, and I am so lucky to have all I do. I have more than a lot of people in this world. I have clothes, food, and a place to sleep at night. Sometimes, it gets too easy to worry about the things we do not have, but I have all I need. It isn't always easy, and I worry about getting by semester to semester, but somehow it always comes together. That is something to be very thankful for! 

7. Now, it time for something less serious. Therefore, I am thankful for coffee. If you could not tell by my background, I love coffee! I know this sounds silly in comparison to all the heavy things mentioned before, but coffee has a lot of wonderful memories associated with it. Many times I woke up to coffee on the weekends with my parents, would head to Starbucks to procrastinate homework with my best friend, or drink it late for those tough nights. It may just be a delicious, caffeinated beverage, but sometimes, it is just what I need.