Growing Up

I was able to catch up with a couple friends this past weekend and in general the theme was about how we are "growing up". One friend, Dungeon Daddy, was telling us about the two weddings he is attending this week. Another, El Bandito, was lamenting about his impending 25th birthday. Most of my peers have accepted that grad school is our next step as very few of us have jobs that leave us in position to move up. And those that do are looking to reach the next level. So while some of my *cough*older*cough* readers may laugh at the lament of growing up for those of us now in our mid twenties, what we are really feeling I think is the disintegration of any last shreds of the delusion that we are still kids or even undergrads.

When I was a kid, I wasn't one of those that always wanted to be older. Maybe that's because I'm the oldest of three and didn't have any immediate peers that I wanted to be like. Or maybe that's because I knew in my heart that being a kid meant no real responsibilities, no drama, and the freedom to have "fun today" as my only ambition. When the Toys R Us song "I don't wanna grow up I'm a Toys R Us Kid" came on, I absolutely agreed. I didn't want to grow up. I still don't wanna grow up. The joke in undergrad was that me and my best friend were 9 years old. And our nerf gun fight in the lounge of our residence hall probably didn't help our reputation.

I regret nothing.

I think that "growing up" which life is finally forcing us to do if we hadn't yet, isn't so much about losing that childhood love of fun, carefree attitude, or idealistic outlook on life, its just about knowing when to tap into that and when to face reality sort to speak. Maybe adulthood is just knowing when its OK to act like a kid. Sadly, there seems be less and less opportunties to act like kids when you're an adult. I guess that's why we have movies, books and video games. To escape.

We were on spring break this week so Summercamp's been quiet. We did do a really cool Zombie program this past quarter where it was an emergency preparedness program with the zombie themes making it marketable. It's a lot of fun to take a concept that we think is important but too serious to get residents to attend and finding a way to "sell" it to them. My dad's in public relations. I can tell its in my blood because I'm always looking at spin and angles to make things more appealing. In another life, maybe Spam Boa and I would have opened a marketing agency.

Finally a tale about Brock. He bought a house. Yes, we are all having our "ohmygoshimalmost25lifecrises" and he is buying a house. On one level we are jealous of his opportunity for a prudent investment in a bad economy that can only get better. On another end, I think a lot of us are going, are you crazy?? I think money is so hard to come by right now that the thought of spending it on something so big is beyond us. I hope it turns out to be more than a get rich quick scheme and really works out for him. But as money isn't really one of my end goals but rather a means to end's meet, investments are really beyond me right now.

I guess that's all on my mind. Sorry its not a terrible funny week. I've been on youtube a lot lately so I recommend this video for you Disney viewing pleasure. In the spirit of nostalgia, its one guy who you may already know for his rendition of Whole New World singing both male and female parts accurately. Check out his new vid.

http://www.todaysbigthing.com/2011/03/22

Goodnight!

Currently reading: Just read Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, an amazing story about Chinese parents and the differences and similarities between Chinese and "Western" parenting styles. It was fascinating to see how different a childhood other people can have then me, how much I could disagree with the parenting style, and at the same time marvel in disbelief at the results. It really makes me think about how I could incorporate a best of all worlds parenting style, if there is such a thing.

Currently listening to: Nostalgia Critic on thatguywithglasses.com review old movies. Highly recommend him.

Currently playing: Starcraft 2 UMS stuff like I did in seventh grade only updated.

Told you I'm on a nostalgia binge.