So, I’m going to be twenty this coming September. Yes, this is shocking to many of the people who know me personally, but I can’t stop time…no matter how bad I want to. In the almost 20 years I’ve been alive, I’ve learned a lot of things that have helped define me as a person, and here are the top 10 that have affected me in either a positive or negative way.
1) Family and Friends are always there for you
Yes, both of my friends and family have gotten on my nerves on several occasions and really know how to push my buttons, but I don’t know what I would do without them. They have helped me become who I am today, and given me the morals and values I live by. They are my reality check, and I can go to them for pretty much anything good or bad. They can make me laugh so hard I cry, or give me (in the words of Abby Scuito) “ a patented Gibbs head slap” when I need it and for that I am forever thankful.
2) Nothing is better than Grandma’s cooking
Everyone knows Grandma’s cooking is absolutely amazing and nothing is better. My grandma’s cooking makes me miss home, her house, and all the weekends I used to spend at her house. Every time I go home, I try to see them at least once and eat some of her cooking-especially some of her famous chicken, rice and gravy.
3) I am going to lose patience
Patience is a virtue…that is something I really do not have. I am a very impatient person, and this really comes through when I’m driving. Since I’m from New Jersey, my driving is a bit crazy and I know it. Everyone I know tells me I need to be more patient if I want to be a social worker, and believe me I am trying. Though, really, it’s not my fault that people test my patience.
4) My mother is my best friend
No matter how many I tell my mother to stop singing, to put her seat belt on, or to stop dancing in the hallway, I know she’s my best friend and has my back. She knows how I am and I don’t know how I would function without her. She makes me laugh until I cry or pee my pants, and she also makes me so frustrated I could pull my hair out. My mom’s amazing and I don’t know what I would do without her.
5) Coffee becomes a lifeline
I never really liked coffee as much…until I got to college. Coffee has become an important part of my life since I started college and I’m not looking back.
6) It’s ok to have a sweet tooth
Ok, this is more of a reassurance for me because I have a huge sweet tooth. I love sugar, cookies, ice cream, cake and all things sweet. I’m a child at heart so sugar is my weakness. And now I think I’ve reassured myself enough
7) Dogs can make a day better
As a nanny to a family who has a dog, I can honestly say I love going to work everyday to see him wag his little tail. Seeing him makes my day better, and I go from feeling really sad to really happy in a matter of seconds. This dog has a personality all his own and it makes me laugh to see what he does next.
8) My real friends will always stick by me
Friends come and go all the time. Friendships grow and people change all the time. But once I started to reach my high school and college years, I realized that the friends I have are amazing and make me laugh through every difficult situation. Yes, I have made some new friends and have lost some, but it’s all a part of growing up.
9) Watching my younger sibling grow up makes me feel old
Though I only one sibling, watching him grow up made me feel really old. He’s going to be a senior in high school, has a girlfriend and he is going to be a great person as an adult and he makes me really proud to be his older sister…even though he is a giant and I’m well not.
10) Catholic church parking lots are dangerous
Ok this one is probably just for me, but every time I go to church, I walk through the parking lot and feel like I’m going to get run over. I just about lose my patience every time I go and leave church ,and that’s not a good thing. I’m supposed to be calm when I go to church-not about to punch a wall.
It took me almost 20 years to learn most of these lessons, but that’s all a part of growing up. You live and learn…now if you all excuse me I have my 20s to party through.
