Ehhh…What’s up Doc?

This past month I set the goal of visiting the doctor, the girl doctor, the dentist, and the eye doctor. Like most normal people, I hate going to the doctor, but I knew that it was about time to get checked out. My shoulder had been bothering me for awhile and I hadn’t been to the dentist for about a year.

I’ve been setting my own appointments for the doctor and dentist for many, many years now. But up until this year, my mother has been the policy holder on my health insurance. When I received my insurance cards in the mail I took a quick look and stuffed them into my wallet.

But when I handed my insurance card over to the receptionist for the first time, it sunk in. I was embarking on another rite of passage! Not only was I being a responsible adult by going to the doctor in the first place, but I was a responsible adult with her own health insurance.

I feel extremely blessed to have health insurance. I have taken it for granted as a young adult. It’s a shame that in this day and age there are people in our country who are unable to insure themselves or their families. I am thankful that through blessings beyond belief I am able to rest assured knowing that these needs are met in my life.

What about you guys? What was it like to go to the doctor with your own insurance card for the first time? Are you still on the hunt for health insurance? It’s a scary thing, graduating from college and then realizing that you have little time left to be insured.

Realizing all the things that you’ve taken for granted as a kid is just another part of growing up. That, and going to the girl doctor. Ugh.

The rarest things make me think sometimes...

In the middle of the Steelers vs. Browns game, an atrocity occurred.

The power went out!

Now, I wouldn't consider myself terrified of the dark, but sitting in a dark room does give you time to think. And as I looked out the window and saw the wind carry tree branches and other debris with it, my mind started to wander a bit. And the more it wandered, the more freaked out I got.

Then I realized, the majority of the blackouts I've endured in my life have been with my parents. Other than one in college and another at my boyfriend's house, this was the first time I've been in the dark without them. I could feel my bottom lip curl into a pout.

So I called my mother. I try to seize any chance I can to call her. I daily keep her and my father in the loop of my life because even though I no longer live under their roof, I know they have many more words of wisdom to share with me.

Our ten minute conversation made me feel so much better. And it feels good to know that I'm allowed ease myself into this thing called womanhood. Not even the power coming back on (during a Steelers vs. Browns game, mind you) could beat that feeling.

I like parties, yes I do. I like parties, how about you?

I like parties. Who doesn’t? Very few people want to pass up free food, free alcohol, and good conversation. I always knew that the second I moved out of my parents’ house, I would take any opportunity I could to have as many friends over as possible. I love being the hostess. Nothing makes me happier than cleaning my apartment, shopping for yummy junk food, and responding to my guests’ every beck and call.

So when I saw an advertisement for the MTV Video Music Awards, I thought that’d be as good of a reason as any to host a party. I sent out a mass Facebook message and prepared myself for a night of fun. With each reference to Britney Spears’ VMA comeback, I grew more and more excited. “This is going to be a blast,” I thought.

At around 8 o’clock, guests started piling in.

We gabbed as we watched the stars walk down the red carpet. We squealed when Britney appeared on the screen. We eagerly ate all but two slices of the pizza we ordered.

But by the time 10 o’clock rolled around, I saw the yawns. I couldn’t help but yawn myself. I knew these weren’t yawns of boredom. They were simply yawns of exhaustion and preparation for another work week. If I had a say in inner-workings of MTV production, I probably would’ve suggested for the VMA’s to be aired any night but Sunday night. I mean, I understand the logic of getting everyone riled up the night before another work week, in hopes of gossip-filled talks by the water cooler. But it certainly was not the ideal situation for my party.

Of course I am not upset with my guests, because as I said, I was just as exhausted as they were, if not more. But I couldn’t help but wonder when my body started to get used to this cycle. I’ve even been finding it difficult to sleep in on the weekend—formerly one of my favorite things about the weekend. And with every Saturday that I wake up at 8:30AM, despite every attempt to sleep until noon, it sinks in more and more…

I’m growing up. I can’t have silly conversations until midnight and not be falling asleep at my desk the next day. Eighty percent of my weekend plans involve all the errands I couldn’t fit in during the week.

And I dread Sunday evening more and more each week.

So, maybe that’s the reason why I tried to host a party on a Sunday night; to liven it up a bit and avoid the inevitable. But from now on, I think I’m going to designate Friday and Saturday nights as the appropriate nights to be a party animal. Yeah, God was definitely onto something when He rested on the seventh day.

Quarter-life Ladies: Unite!

I can still remember the feeling of anticipation I felt the weeks before college graduation. I was sick of reading assignments, papers, and I never wanted to look at another syllabus again. I had already choreographed the victory dance I would do across the stage as I accepted my diploma from the college president. My desire to begin adulthood trumped my appreciation for my college education.

But it wasn’t until I was home from college, in the midst of my job search, that someone told me that the first year she spent right out of college was “probably one of the hardest years” of her life. I was starting to see what she meant. I spent many days standing by my phone, praying for a job interview. After I (FINALLY) snagged my first job, I spent many evenings on the phone with customer service representatives, trying to understand exactly what it meant to consolidate student loans. And, after moving out of my parents’ house, I soon experienced the joy of paying bills.

Indeed, I had reached adulthood.

I’m not sure anyone could have fully prepared me for the lessons I have learned, and continue to learn, during this challenging season of life. I have been thankful for the things I have learned through experience, but MAN have I been thankful for the wisdom others have passed on to me and the encouragement I feel when my friends and I relate to one another in our similar experiences.

And that is my hope for this blog: that it may be a channel of support and encouragement to other quarter-life ladies. I know I have some things to share with others. And there have to be some other ladies out there who can share some insight with me as well. So what do you think? What should I write about? What have you learned?

Feel free to leave a comment or shoot an email to quarterlifelady@gmail.com. Thanks!