Category: diary

The kids table is always the best table.

If you disagree… I mean, to each his own. But really? What kind of person would prefer to talk to older and taller humans about grown-up things (whatever those things are), when you can laugh at fart noises without being judged and nobody feels guilty about having three servings of cake?

I recently got back from a month long visit to Canada. I was born there, and that is where most of my extended family lives. My parents, sisters and I try to go once a year, but the past couple of years I’ve been visiting on my own. It hasn’t been the same, but nonetheless, I’m always so grateful to spend time with my family up North, since it’s really only an annual thing.

It’s so crazy how much can change within a year. I’m the eldest grandchild on both sides of my family, so everytime I visit, it seems that more of my cousins have outgrown me. I can’t believe that two of them graduate high school this upcoming week, and that another two are moving to California in August to go to school and all my little cousins aren’t so little anymore!!

I can always be my silliest self around my younger cousins, and it’s always the most fun… #kidstable4lyfe.

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Simply put, the kids table is the simplest. It’s a retreat back into the easygoing, good ways of childhood. No one is asking any serious questions (the most serious question being: can you break-dance?), and there’s no pressure (unless it’s to get up and demonstrate said dancing skills). Really, you don’t have to say or do much as an older, bigger kid at the kid’s table. Just sit back, let the kiddos do the talking, hence all the entertaining (their conversations are ten times more fascinating than any grown-up conversation I’ve been apart of) and be prepared to bring your a-game should you be challenged to a dance off.

The big 2-3

It doesn’t sound that intimidating: “twenty-three.” I’ve just never been one for odd numbers, so I’m expecting 23 to be an odd year. And I say bring on the dancing lobsters!!! Just kidding. I’m allergic to lobster.

So, after you turn twenty-one and before you turn twenty-five, you’ve got these in-between years that aren’t quite milestones… but that’s not to say these years aren’t a BIG DEAL. I mean, with Year Twenty-Two down, I’ve only got two more filler years to go and I think that’s something worth celebrating!

I had an exceptional birthday weekend filled with friends from out of town, and family. Saturday began with lunch at The Cheesecake Factory, followed by a scavenger hunt at IKEA, my favorite cake from Publix (vanilla with a raspberry jam topped with a cream cheese frosting… ahh! I’m so glad I saved some leftovers), & drinks at a dueling piano bar.

A scavenger hunt at IKEA? It's on!
A scavenger hunt at IKEA? It’s on!

Sunday was a well-spent afternoon with lunch at the Boardwalk Hotel and some Epcot fun with co-workers, and my birthday ended with dinner and dessert with my family at the Polynesian Resort (can you say dole whip ice cream?!?)

A lil post-lunch birthday adventure at Epcot.
A lil post-lunch birthday adventure at Epcot.

Not a bad birthday, whatsoever. In fact, I think it was one of the most special birthdays to me, for two main reasons: 1) this was my first birthday I’ve spent at home since I went away for college. I got to spend that time with my parents and sisters and it was so great! and 2) even though it was my first birthday post-graduation since I moved back home, I’ve really been missing my alma mater. That’s something I’m not afraid to admit that I miss everyday… so it really meant a lot to me that college friends were able to take time away from school and work and come from out of town to celebrate with me. Now, it’s past midnight and I can say I survived Day One of being Twenty-Three! So far, so good.

Disney + ice cream. Two constants in my life. I hope that never changes. ♥
Disney + ice cream. Two constants in my life. I hope that never changes. ♥

Things I’ve Done… Things I Will Do

I think it’s important to reflect on your achievements, however glorious or frivolous they might have been. They might not be the biggest nor most important accomplishments, but when you think about the people you may have shared some of those moments with, what doors those events opened up, and what obstacles you’ve overcome, everyone has something they should be proud of. You are where you are today because you’ve done something, because you’ve had the support of people who care about you, and you’re a human being with goals and their own battles to fight, just like everyone else.

I was the 2nd place winner of the 2006 Imagine Schools State Science Fair. I’m a blood donor. I once out-ate all of my cousins at Cici’s Pizza when I was like, 12. I’ve held a job since I was 16, supporting myself through college. I’ve been a pescatarian since I was 18. I recycle. I make magic happen on the daily for guests at work. I am a college graduate. I was the Maid of Honor in my best friend’s wedding. I planned and saved for a trip abroad to Europe for the longest time and actually made it happen as a post-graduation present to myself last summer… 

I’ve got things I have yet to do, goals I’m determined to make. When it comes down to it, aside from my accomplishments, I’m most proud of how good I feel about some big, somewhat nerve-wracking things to come.

Julia Child

Julia Child, great American chef. She took French cuisine and made it accessible for everyday Americans through her timeless cookbooks and television show (a copy of which I bet your mother or your grandmother probably owns).

Miss Julia Child. She didn’t start cooking until she was 37.

So. If I go completely broke visiting every continent before I’m 30, that could actually be considered somewhat of an accomplishment, no? C:

What do you do?

What do I do? This is probably one of my least favorite questions ever. It’s right up there with: “Where are you from?” A question which I almost always follow with an “um” as I try to decide whether to give you my entire location history or just say “Canada.”

If you ask me what I do, more likely than you are curious about how I support yourself (and because I’m 23 now, I guess it’s not inappropriate to assume that I’m doing something with my time). So, yes. I do work full-time. Yes and no I do and don’t work within my field depending on how you look at it. But I don’t just work. While my job is a huge part of my life, it doesn’t define me.

I also spend a lot of time writing long distance friends . I am passionate about making and keeping connections with people from all walks of life, visiting places I’ve never been to, reading books before their movie adaptations are released, thrifting on Wednesdays, and satisfying my sweet tooth.

And what are you passionate about?

A lot of pressure exists out there to graduate, find a job in your field, and “settle.” Because that’s what you’re supposed to do. But this is 2015. It’s not what you have to do. It’s nice to feel secure, and to know “I’ve made it.” But at the same time, it’s not what a lot of people want. Myself included. I think. I’m still trying to figure that part out.