Little Things

Sometimes it's really hard to remember what counts. I've been extremely stressed out the past few days with balancing responsibilities of life, midterms to prepare for, thousands of sweets to bake for my friend's birthday ... I swear I haven't unclenched my jaw since mid-February. On top of everything, this morning I had the pleasure of standing in line at the San Diego Superior Court with some interesting El Cajon residents, due an administrative error I had absolutely nothing to do with. I honestly could not think of a better way to start the day (I hope you can detect my sarcasm here).

Needless to say, I drove to work around 10:30 am very disgruntled. "Urgh!", I thought, "My life sucks! Why am I always a common thread in ridiculous situations like this?!". Then I looked up and out of my window to see a homeless woman, begging. Gosh, I am seriously such a brat. Sometimes I feel like I need a swift kick in the ass to bring me back around to what is really important. Feeling sorry for myself because of a situation I have absolutely no control over ... what a waste! Why am I spending so much time scowling about it? Just roll with the punches, Autumn. Everything will work out somehow. You will get through your classes. No one cares that you burned an entire batch of birthday cupcakes. It will all be okay, I promise.

Which brings me to the little things in life that make it all worth it. After reprimanding myself for being such a complaining beast, I stopped at a coffee shop near my work. A dancing cappuccino was outside. I started laughing hysterically, something I desperately needed at that exact moment. What, I ask you, is more hilarious than a man dressed as an inanimate object flailing wildly around the sidewalk? Nothing! He barely missed clothes-lining an elderly woman coming out of the bank next door (that shouldn't make the situation funnier, but it does). There are plenty of things in this world that I experience on a regular basis that make me happy ... I need to show more gratitude for them. Like a cup of coffee, the paper and a morning full of possibilities. Like standing up to my parents and knowing they secretly respect me for doing so. Like diving into my bed made up with clean sheets or discovering other people's amusing blogs or getting off work early and doing absolutely nothing for once.

Embrace the little things, because after everything is said and done, they are the only things that really matter.

Slow Motion

I really love quick shutter photography, especially photos of bullets going through random objects. It looks so cool! I have some extra picture frames, I sort of want to start a collection of them.

Like, bullet-Golden-Delicious ...

Or bullet-Ace-of-Hearts ...

Or bullet-Crayola's-unsuccessful-shades ...

Or bullet-I'm-allergic-to-these?


Interesting idea for a theme wall, that's for sure.

It's Pimpin', Pimpin'

Tony, 1973 - I got 99 problems ...

Tony, 1975 - ... but a toof ain't one.

Photos courtesy of www.sexypeople-blog.com.

Choo! Choo!

I am a stressed out person. Always have been. I am constantly rewinding to-do lists in my head, figuring out how to stretch one paycheck until the next, trying to remember exactly what needs to be done and when, I feel guilty relaxing sometimes ... this overly-anxious nature is not necessary, but it's a part of my life nonetheless.

According to the professionals, stress is difficult to define because it is "a subjective sensation associated with varied symptoms that differ for each of us". Very true. Stress for one person could be revealed as distress and for another individual it could be interpreted as pleasure. Situations like riding a roller coaster causes fear and anxiety for some, but is seen as an adrenaline rush for others. Also, there is such a thing as good and bad stress. Situations where hard work and stress has paid off, like winning a race after practicing or doing well on an exam due to studying, is an example of the good stuff.

I believe I'm a classic example of "increased stress increases productivity", because I tend to work well (or at least get a lot done) under massive amounts of pressure. I just need to remind myself this title only holds true up to a certain individually-determined point, after which things start to roll rapidly downhill. People are fragile and resilient at the same time. Sometimes, I forget that and classify myself into only one of these categories. I imagine my mind like a rubber band. It's strong, it can hold many things together at once for long periods of time ... but add too much to that stack, the band begins to stretch beyond it's capacity and then before you know it ... SNAP!

Now, we shouldn't fear overexertion just because we are capable of snapping. Everyone needs to be able to find and manage the amount of stress that is right for them, test to see how far they can comfortably stretch their rubber band. The hard lesson I am learning (have been learning for years) is how to transform stress into something that will make me more productive and less self-destructive. I need to recognize my limits and listen when my body/ mind/ spirit is screaming for a break. Otherwise, I may be pushing daisies before I know it.

So, in the meantime, I'm working on it. Chuggin' along like The Little Engine That Could. I think I can, I know I can ...

When I Grow Up

I want to be an astronaut and explore the sky. I want to discover white dwarfs and new constellations. I want to confirm the existence of extraterrestrial beings and get way too close to the sun.

I want to be a healer and learn the ways of a shaman. I want to touch people on a spiritual level and connect on a different plane of reality. I want to feel like I am magic, if only for a little while.

I want to be an architect and build something that matters. I want to constitute a multifunctional piece of art someone can live inside. I want to create a structure that houses a family who loves each other.

I want to be a vigilante and slice through rain forest like a wild child with a machete. I want to carry dangerous weapons in a holster on my hip. I want my shadow to be rough around the edges and for others to fear the mere rumor of me.

I want to be a beauty queen and have a smile that lights up the room. I want to be perfect and proper and cut ribbon with giant scissors. I want to be judged on my outward appearance and wave in a parade, but not as a joke.

I want to be a secret and drift through life like a dream. I want to be invisible, know what you are thinking and spy on your daily activities. I want to be the only one who knows I even exist.

Unexpectations

I thought it was simple
that it was just fun
supposedly random, no need to run
Keep my attention
you've thrilled me again
these words flow so easy, out of my pen

Steal my doubt
if you're aware or not, that's okay
Break on through
I wouldn't mind, seeing you everyday

Just like a magnet
you drew me in
the most effortless, it's ever been
Time speeds on by
so quick and so crazy
I hope you can tell, you amaze me

Steal my doubt
if you're aware or not, that's okay
Break on through
I wouldn't mind, seeing you everyday

Eye of the storm
I'm caught inside
chaos excites me, I'm up for the ride
This air is electric
the future is near
unexpectations, I no longer fear.

Sneaky Check-outage

I do this. All the time. Does it make me weird?

Just a Thought (After Watching You)

Sometimes I need to get out of my head. It's a mess in there! Abandoned ideas scribbled here, never ending to-do lists over there, the old needs to be taken out to make room for the new, some dusting wouldn't be unwelcome either ... you get my point. I acknowledge that I over analyze and am uber-neurotic ... the first step is admitting it, right?

I generally do not consider myself someone who cares what people think about me. Yet, I can't help but wonder what others conclude from the normal-to-me actions or habits I participate in daily. Like singing in the car or walking a certain way down the street. People-watching is one of my very favorite things, so I can only assume there are others out there who enjoy it as much as I do. My mind frequently wanders to the thought processes and preconceived notions of those who may be watching me. What do my quirky behaviors say? What do others assume about my character after witnessing only 30 seconds of my life?

When you do kind things, people think you are a kind person. When you act selfishly, people will assume you are a selfish person. If you ask stupid questions, people will label you a stupid person. It's practically impossible to keep it all up at all times. I'm no dummy, but I've done idiotic things. There is at least one person walking around today who has dubbed me 'tard of the century' after witnessing yours truly walk into a glass door a few months ago. I would probably assume the same if I saw someone do such a thing. It was a completely random occurrence, only one minuscule event in my vast lifetime ... but to that person I'll always be 'stupid'.

There isn't much you can do to counteract the personal verdicts of other people. So, conclusion? Not entirely sure there is one. I guess, just think before you act or speak and people will think you are kind, generous and smart ...

Or just don't care, be yourself no matter what and suffer the consequences - that you may become the subject of ridicule when other people laugh about you later with their friends. After all, that's what I do.

WIN

Sorry Cox. Sorry SDG&E. Sorry Parkway Plaza Apartments. From now on, your checks from yours truly will resemble the awesomeness that is this promissory note. WIN!

College Transcripts

As a college student, you spend thousands of dollars on your education. You slave away during late night study sessions, pouring over books on subjects you couldn't give two craps about. Your weight fluctuates from the stress, caffeine becomes a major food group, you can barely balance your social and scholastic lives. I've even cried in the corner of the library once. These years are some of the hardest you will live through! Screw Paramedical Microbiology. And you, Biomedical Basis of Chronic Diseases, you can suck it. I've decided to take a break and enroll myself in classes that I am not only interested in, but am guaranteed to get A+ ... just look at these educational prospects!

1. Arguing with Judge Judy: Popular Logic on TV Judge Shows - University of California, Berkeley. I don't think I can even begin to explain how much I love Judge Judy and People's Court. My roommate rolls her eyes every time she comes home and I'm talking to the TV like Judge Judy cares about my opinion. First of all, she doesn't take any of your crap. She is so condescending and of the old school mindset, I love it. Secondly, she scares me ... but in a good way?

2. Learning from YouTube - Pitzer College. A good portion of my life is spent on YouTube. I can't fathom what life would be like if I were to earn college credit for this ridiculous practice. It makes me way too excited. It's true though, you really can learn a lot from this gem of a website. Where else can you watch a grown man play a trombone with his toes?

3. The Art of Walking - Centre College. Seriously, I am such an awesome walker. I can even stroll, prance, strut, skip and shimmy. Easiest A ever.

4. Joy of Garbage - Santa Clara University. I think I would learn a lot from this class, which is something I usually look for when deciding what classes to take each semester. I feel like I have never really found joy in garbage, something Santa Clara University is out to change. I'm sure I'll be a better person after finding the joy. In fact, I know I will.

5. Zombies in Popular Media - Columbia College, Chicago. WHAT?! Where has this class been all of my life?! I'd probably have to change my career goals if I took this class and major in the history of zombie culture or popular zombie slaying techniques. This course would be Pandora's box for me, so maybe it's best I stay away.

6. The Science of Harry Potter - Frostburg State University. I. Am. Speechless. I already know this would be the best class of all time. My hands are shaking in anticipation right now and I'm ruing the day I didn't think to transfer to Frostburg State University! Arrrgh!

Next semester is going to be fabulous! 4.0, here I come!

You Say Fate, I Call Farse

Destiny refers to a predetermined course of events, an exact future, the belief that there is a fixed natural progression to order in the universe. I am of a different mindset. I am unable to come to the conclusion that no matter what I do in life, there will always be a set path for me and that despite my choices, I will inevitably end up in the same exact place. What would be the point of life if this were to be true? Why would making decisions, easy or difficult, even be necessary? Cause and effect is completely negated in this situation, which throws off the balance of nature.

Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice. It is our choices that speak of our character, of our convictions and mold us into the people we choose to become. I've been reflecting on my life lately - counting my blessings, if you will. While I do believe that people are blessed in their lives, I feel my current content attitude is due the choices I've been making, not necessarily divine intervention. While I do sometimes attribute things to karma or good fortune, I am the most heavily reliant on my own elections. How I am feeling or what is developing at any moment in my life, is credited to the choices I make. Impulsive, calculated, completely off-the-wall ... they all impact my future in a different, but definitive way.

There is no predetermined course of action, there is no certain end point in life. It is what you make of it, what you choose to believe it is and yours to do with what you will.

Blech!

Prehistoric Bones of Sloth Found at East Village Site


Via San Diego Union Tribune — More prehistoric bones – this time, those of a giant sloth – have been found at the East Village construction site of the Thomas Jefferson School of Law ... the bones are in poor shape and may not be salvageable. The sloth bones were found at about the same depth as the whale bones, indicating the sloth lived about 600,000 years ago. Ironically there is a species of giant ground sloth that is named after the law school's namesake, Thomas Jefferson: Megalonyx jeffersonii.


This may just be my greatest nightmare. Confession: sloths freak me out. And this Megalonyx jeffersonii aka. Jefferson's Giant Claw aka. Ginormous Ground Sloth (which my friend just pointed out is bigger than a Smart Car!) is the epitome of revulsion for me. Why you ask? Well, there are a multitude of reasons, but for the sake of time and typing space, I'll only name the most personally prominent.


1. I do not appreciate their creepy eyes and 'smile'. I don't like that they look they are drugged 24-7, resulting in the outer corners of their eyes being pulled so far down they meet the corners of their disturbingly gleeful smile. They look about as sweet as a clown would, with those sappy eyes and fake grin ... right before it kills you. I don't trust 'em. You shouldn't either.

2. I do not appreciate their speed. Some might by frightened by things that move very quickly. I am nervously affected by the opposite - things that move way too slowly put me on edge. I feel like this is a trick. They move so slightly, that you kind of get bored with it's slothful nature and focus your attention on something else. Before you know it, 15 minutes has gone by and ... BLAM, it's right there next to you! "Hi, I'm here to murder you, slowly and with a smile!" Ahh!

3. I do not appreciate their limb-to-body ratio. Lanky things have a tendency to flail around, and with those prehistoric claw-toes, I'm not trusting it to be within a ten foot radius of me. I know it moves lethargically, but still. It's like a spider with how it's long, gross arms and legs protrude from it's tiny body. Do not want!

Thanks for the nightmares, Union Tribune! The only way I'm going to be able to sleep tonight is by imagining this grotesque creature in LOL captions.


Or this guy. Now, this is a Sloth I can get behind.

How's Your News?

How's Your News is a television program that delivers news from different areas of the United States via adult reporters with disabilities, who met at a special needs camp years ago. I remember I saw a documentary (4 or 5 years ago) about the news team and fell in love with them a little bit. All of the people involved in the program are so sweet and genuine, plus it's absolutely fantastic to see those who might not have regular opportunities to realize their dreams and potential, finally have the means to do so. Recently, MTV picked up the whole concept, including the original team, and created a show with the same name.

Susan Harrington is 41 years old, legally blind and has an undetermined mental disability. She receptionist for the Department of Mental Retardation and lives in an assisted living home in Massachusetts. A How's Your News reporter since 1998, she also has an amazing operatic singing voice and is very good at Scrabble. She actually sings the How's Your News theme song which I'm currently searching out to make my ring tone.


Robert Bird is a 51 year old with Down Syndrome and a speech impediment that sounds like he is speaking his own language. He has been a How's Your News reporter since 1998 and lives with his sister and her family in Massachusetts, where he does janitorial work. I love this guy! The rest of the cast call him 'Gramps'.

Sean Costello is 38 years old, has Down Syndrome and is a full-time custodian in New Hampshire, where he lives with his mother. A How's Your News reporter since 1998, he has been to the National Special Olympics several times, excelling in weightlifting and basketball. Sean also has amazing dance moves.

Larry Perry is 60 years old, lives in Massachusetts and has severe spastic cerebral palsy, which renders him unable to form words with his voice. He actually conducts most of his interviews with a word board and questions composed ahead of time. Larry is awesome and does stunts the rest of the group won't, like rolling down huge, grassy slopes without his wheelchair. I love that he has been a part of How's Your News since it's creation, you can just tell from the sparkle in his eyes it makes his life complete.

Jeremy Vest is 21 years old from Maryland who joined the news team in 2004. He has Williams Syndrome, which makes him hard to focus on one thing, instead skipping around from subject to subject. He also has great musical ability, excelling in both the drums and piano. Jeremy is so amazing, I wish he was my best friend. He says the most randomly smart things and is definitely going places.

Lucas Wahl is a 23 year old from Arizona and only recently joined How's Your News in 2007. He also has Williams Syndrome and can play the guitar behind his head and with his teeth, even though he accidentally cut off half his index finger a few years ago! Jeremy and Lucas are so hilarious together. I love watching them play off each other's eccentric observations.

If you haven't already checked out the show, you definitely should. Or at least look at some of their stuff online, I guarantee you will learn something and fall in love with these guys.
How's Your News ... recommendation of the week.

Sensation

Sensation: the capacity for or an act of responding to a stimulus.

'Five Senses Tag' is the name of the game, in which you list four things you love, and one thing you hate, for each category.

Smell:
1. Fresh, warm laundry
2. Coffee
3. Peonies
4. Morning air
5. Hate: Mold - or anything that is damp and has that steamy, stagnant smell. Like a towel that's been wet too long or a leaky under-the-sink cupboard. Yuck.

Touch:
1. Cold sheets
2. Fuzzy animals
3. Smooth skin
4. Sand in between toes
5. Hate: Things that are slimy and shouldn't be - not exactly sure what this includes, maybe things that are rotting? I just don't like the idea of it.

Sound:
1. Crunchy leaves
2. Half-conscious humming
3. Bells at Christmas time
4. Rain (when I'm inside)
5. Hate: Styrofoam - it makes my skin crawl and is in the same category as nails scratching down a chalkboard.

Taste:
1. Cinnamon-y stuff
2. Most things with Red No. 5
3. Peaches
4. Cucumbers
5. Hate: Pomegranates - they taste metallic like raisins. Disgust-o.

Sight:
1. Old people holding hands
2. Stars, space, sky
3. Random acts of kindness
4. Enormous shadows created by towering trees
5. Hate: Nasty feet - I have issues with this. Major, major issues.

Where Have You Been All My Life?

We all know and love those infomercial products we see on QVC, buy during a cookie-dough fueled purchasing marathon, then sometimes regret later. Oh, you don't? That's just me? I, uh, never mind.

Anyway, I used to think that the Snuggie, also known as most amazing product known to man, was the greatest thing available to order on television. C'mon, it's a blanket ... with sleeves!


Not only is the Snuggie warm, it is extremely fashionable. It's like a hospital gown (as it is open in the back) with long sleeves, but made out of fleece. I've also heard rumors you feel like a wizard while wearing one, which is reason enough for me! Yeeeah, reading a book Merlin style, what what!


But, I digress.

People, I am here on this soapbox today to announce the only thing in history to ever one-up the Snuggie. I present ... the Couch Dress.


Dude, screw fleece. Look at the crochet work on this beauty! Mesmerising. Yes, it doesn't have sleeves like that so-five-minutes ago Snuggie, but the Couch Dress is 100% handmade, covers the furniture you're sitting on and can be worn to any occasion. Grocery store? Check. Business meeting? Check. Dinner and drinks with friends? Double check. I can not only guarantee all eyes will be on you while wearing this little number, but no one else will have anything like it. Trendsetter alert! At only $349 for a couture, custom fitted garment masterpiece that is both blanket and dress, you really can't go wrong.

I need one! My next paycheck couldn't get here fast enough. I have the perfect bag and shoes ...

Inifinity and Beyond

Last night, I was conversating about stars and the expansive universe that contains them, which made me really think about my life in relation to awe-inspiring concepts I can barely comprehend. In comparison to space, I feel so insignificant. I am just one measly organism on one tiny planet within one single solar system ... it's almost laughable to even try to believe you really matter in the grand scheme of things.

Stars are basically just balls of old light, and when gazing at one of those flickering orbs from my gravity-enforced location, I often wonder how it's still burning, when it was created, how big it really is ... then my brain starts to ache from being wrapped around such exceptional thoughts. A star is just one anomaly of the universe that I can't even attempt to explain, but imagine what else is out there waiting to be discovered and analyzed. This concept reminds me of a fantastic book, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, more specifically the excerpt, "the eyes cannot see what the brain does not know". I'm not trying to get all existential or anything, but I believe this is true, to a certain extent.

I look at the stars and wonder if I'm really seeing them sometimes. If I can only see what I know (and I don't know much about stars), then how much am I missing? It's annoying to realize that I am not only sizably insignificant in this universe, but my sight is hindered as well. Maybe not being able to see what we don't know is an ingrained defense mechanism. I think I might become insane trying to explain everything around me I didn't understand. It would be impossible. So if our brains only allow us to see things we are capable of comprehending, I guess we just need to accept that and succumb to the ignorance (which doesn't have to be a bad thing).

Regardless ... I'll keep staring at the sky, wondering about life and my place in it.

Slutty Wildlife

"... he insists the raccoon was acting all slutty just prior to the assault." Oh man, I've always wondered what the whoreish behavior of woodland creatures looked like. Like the raccoon equivalent of Pepe LePew?

Hilarious, hilarious FAIL.

Plastination, Here I Come!

I have always had an obsessive fascination with the human body. It's so amazing! I love reading, studying and learning everything I can about it. Which is why I've always wanted to donate my body to science when I die ... it's not like I'll be using it and you can learn so much more from the real thing vs. textbook pictures and cat carcasses. Trust me.

A while ago, I went and saw the Bodies exhibit at UTC. It was incredible, even though Dateline recently reported that the bodies in that collection were illegally attained (they were unclaimed Chinese prisoners) and they weren't even dissected or preserved properly. That news was definitely a little disappointing, I have massive respect for the human body and learning about that kind of treatment is upsetting.

Anyway, this month Body Worlds is coming the The San Diego Natural History Museum! This exhibit is better than Bodies because it is one of six original exhibits, created by Dr. Gunther von Hagens, who actually developed the plastination process (which is basically replacing all fluids and fats of a the cadaver with silicone rubber). I was looking at tickets online and guess what? According to The Union Tribune, you can totally donate your body to this exhibit!

"Mission Valley resident Carrie Garrett agreed to donate her body after seeing the exhibit in Portland, Ore. As a nursing student, she has dissected bodies and was inspired by the people who had donated their corpses for her hands-on experience ... many of von Hagens' donors are medical workers and scientists, an exhibit spokeswoman said. Some are teachers who want to continue teaching after death. Others are environmentalists who see this as a way to recycle their bodies."

At last, my wildest dreams have come true! Plastination, here I come! Promise you'll come visit me when I'm stuffed full of silicone and posed shooting hoops or playing chess ... or maybe holding my own skin like this guy? AMAZING!!!

Rant

I stopped by Target today during my lunch break to pick up paper towels, conditioner, etc. because I've been out for a while and won't have time for errands before class tonight. You know how you get all discombobulated when you visit a different store location than the one you're used to, even if its the same store? I have my Vons, my Target, my 24 Hr. Fitness ... it frustrates me that the layout isn't the same. It's dumb, I know.

Anyway, today at the foreign Target near my work, this annoying employee kept following me around the paper towel isle asking me if I needed help finding anything. Usually I would have said "no, I'm just looking for the cheapest one so please leave me alone" but today I was going to search out flashlights as well (don't ask), so I asked her to point me in the right direction. You should have seen her face ... it was like no one had ever said 'yes' to her inquiry of 'can I help you find something' before. Her eyes got wide and she was at a loss for words. I instantly regretted asking for her assistance. Obviously, she didn't know where flashlights were so she had to go and call someone to ask. I should have just walked away and foraged the isles myself, I would have found it eventually, but I felt bad. She went to so much trouble and I might be the only customer she will ever get to find an item for.

So, like 7 minutes had already passed at this point and who knows how many more ticked by as I followed her up and down the isles ... she was looking for them like she was a customer herself. We eventually reached our destination and she literally stood there and watched me choose a flashlight. Should I have asked her what she thought about blue vs. green? Size preference? Battery life? I felt like I was picking out a naughty toy or something with how awkward I felt with her peering over my shoulder in silence. Not that I ever peruse racks of naughty toys ... but yeah, it was strange.

Which leads me to my rant about customer service. This girl was stationed in the household items section of the store and told to stand there and ask everyone that walked by if they needed help. Most of the time, people say no. Use this free time to learn where things are just in case, you know, you might need to help someone find something. When I worked retail back in the day, that's what I did! The fact that she was as lost in the store as I was shows that her offering of assistance is both forced and unnecessary ... which is the exact opposite of customer service.

An Observation

Throw your inhibitions to the wind, my friend
they're not nearly as important as living in the moment.

Theodor Seuss Geisel, 105 Years Old

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss.

You inspired me during my childhood ...

and continue to guide me through adulthood.

In a box, with a fox, in the rain, on a train ... thank you for being you!

Admitted!

So far, 2009 has been a real trip. It's barely March and already so much in my life has changed, including officially finding out that I will be a 'real', bona fide college student at San Diego State University, starting this fall. Health Science with an emphasis in Public Health, here I come! I don't know why I really doubted my admission ... it's not that competitive of a school, but I always have less than the desired amount of confidence in myself. Note to self: work on this.


Anyway, I am so excited to start learning things that strictly relate to my intended major and will lend to making me a more well-rounded RN someday. I'm borderline-ADD about organizing my pending class schedule and am intrigued by Emergency Preparedness & Disaster Response, especially since I deal with DMAT at work from time to time. Also, Plagues Through the Ages. Plagues, people! Awesome. Sometimes I get depressed about how long its taken me to get to where I am now in my education. Most of my friends have graduated and are looking into Masters programs, while I'm barely getting started on my BS. But, that's life I guess and the further along I get in mine, I realize that things really do happen for a reason.

First of all, I don't think I would necessarily know what I wanted to do or who I wanted to be if I had transferred two years ago when everyone else my age did. I was preoccupied with assorted unmentionables, definitely not ready to start the next stage in my life. Second, although I might not always realize it, I really have accomplished a good amount in the last 5-ish years since High School. I started working right away, which taught me a lot about taking care of myself and did tremendous things for my maturity level. I left the nest at the ripe old age of 18 and now, at 24, I am extremely comfortable in my independence. I've held a great job for the past 4 years, where I continue to learn new things every day and have resources I can definitely use to my advantage later when I need RN program recommendations/ job opportunities. I became certified as an EMT, got my AS degree, had amazing volunteering experiences, lived a bit ... and in a little more than 3 years from now, I will have two more degrees under my belt, a career to dedicate myself to and more proof that everything happens (in due time) for a reason.