Getting Older but NOT Growing Up

     Let's be honest, the "real" world is going to hit me like a freight train going 100mph in a short year and half.  I can confidently say that I know what I want to do when I "grow up," and that I am somewhat ready to start my career.  But, the responsibilities of full adulthood scare the buhhhgeezzzesss out of me.  For the most part, I am on my own now, but I still have a safety net of sorts.  I, guess, the biggest thing that worries me is whether I will have a job or not when I finish law school.  I just want to be 17 forever...I mean let's be real it is the perfect age of (somewhat) innocence, fun, and optimism.  You are a HS Senior and "rule" your universe, you are naive to world beyond high school, you have no reason to be bitter (minus those Emo kids), and you have little to no responsibilities.

     The reality of it, though, is that I/we are getting older.  All of my close friends (with the exception of us law students) have graduated from college and started their "big kid" jobs.  With that being said, I have noticed a few things over the past couple of months.  I have compiled them into the Top Ten Signs We Are Getting Older....drum roll please:

1. Everyone has changed their voicemail to sound more business like - No more of this "Heyyy, it's Sally. Leave a message!" Said in a super cute voice.
2. I got excited because tupperware was on sale - 50 pc. set for $20, YES I WILL!
3. Looking forward to the Sunday paper for the coupons - then squealing over how much you save after your next trip to the grocery store.
4. My friends no longer have seasonal breaks (and neither will I soon).
5. This will be my last "real" summer until retirement (depressing).
6. More bills than magazine come in the mail.
7. Youngsters calling me "ma'am" - not that I am complaining because it is a sign of respect.
8. Constant alumni mailings asking for money.
9. I asked for a new suit for Christmas.
10. Trends - music, movies, & clothing - from high school are considered old school.

     Hopefully, I am not the only that feels this way or has experienced these things.  But in the words of Meredith Grey, "When did we become adults?  And, how do we make it stop?"

Soulfully,

Ashton