Because I work for a school now, I get magical privileges like, Christmas break. I haven’t had a real Christmas break since… wow, since I was 19. Working my way through college meant day-after Christmas sales at the campus bookstore. Not seven entire business days without a single obligation.
I hardly know what to do with myself!
This morning, I slept in ’til nine whole thirty. ‘Look at me,’ I thought, ‘still in bed after nine on a Tuesday!’ When laying there basking became boring, I got up, made tea, went grocery shopping, had the bathroom sink fixed, cleaned out the fridge, and did some yoga while I waited for the DHL man to come.
And all before noon! I was a very busy girl.
Then after noon, there was laundry, the gym, some baking, and well, the list goes on. This Christmas break thing is nothing like I remember it: all that sleeping in and watching reruns of Growing Pains. Clearly, this is not your teenager’s time off.
I mean, I’ve been out of my pajamas for nearly twelve hours. And it’s nowhere near time to get back in them.
So, with all this Christmas Break reformation business, what I want to know is, when the hell did I become a grown up? I mean, a real grown up. One of those people that finds getting things done way more satisfying than sitting around in my pj’s all day. When did that happen?
You know what? Now that I think about it, maybe this happily busy thing is just a symptom of grown-upness to come. I can’t be an actual grown up yet. I don’t do other old lady things like, say… own monogrammed stationery or consistently have more than a couple of bucks in my savings account. Nope. I’d be really worried if I started planning for my retirement or *gasp* questioning the meaning of life and caring if I got an answer. That is grown up.
I think I’ll leave that little crisis right there. No sense in getting all worried over nothing. I am still youthful and I got my Christmas break to prove it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a shopping list to make and a guided meditation to get to before bed.
Hmmm. Slippery slope, ain’t it?
I am a teacher, and therefore priveledged enough to enjoy breaks along with you … and might I add SNOW DAYS …ah, snow days – you have yet to enjoy the experience of an adult snow day – THAT is when you will re-experience your youth, for you won’t feel like venturing out to do your chores. Instead, soap operas will call your name, cookies will be baked and immediatly eaten, and, may I suggest, hot chocolate with vanilla vodka will be drank. mmmm snow days….
hello! love reading you. we seem to have quite the same issues about growing up. heee. love what you said about them symptoms. like,word.
loved the reminder of watching reruns of growing pains. what a show. either way, enjoy your break and do some relaxing.
Having recently graduated from college and entered this life as a (faux) grown up, all I have to say is that it sneaks up on you. One day, you’re procrastinating and aimlessly throwing away money on vodka tonics and the next day you’re contemplating saving and making a grocery list.
I really wish I could explain it, but if you find the answer, please please share.
So,
You’re a GIRL when you’re in your PJ’s and a WOMAN when you think about your retirement…???!!!
Noojes
Another teacher here. Look at me, up at 8:25am. Always been a morning person though, and love to cross things off my list. Off to the grocery store now. Enjoy your break!
Awwww – very envious as I get ready for work and wishing I hadn’t used up those vacation days. However, your list of accomplishments make me want to go back to bed from exhaustion and wanting the red bull to kick in already.
Enjoy the break Fish – maybe a spa trip is what the lazy kid in pj’s is asking for.
Growing up is overrated
I’m starting to think that no one ever really grows up; we all just stay kids in adult bodies. To me, growing up is collecting wisdom.
Laundry? This from the girl with the magical closet?
How’s this for wisdom? On Christmas Eve, my 2 1/2-year-old niece said, “I forgot to grow up.”
Geez! That’s gonna be my excuse for everything from now on!
Oh so jealous…
and I realized that on Monday when I had off. I didnt sleep til 12 like when I was young, I didnt going shopping for sales like when I was a 18. I organized the wrapping paper and ribbons scattered everywhere, cleaned the bathroom and actually folded my laundry after I washed it.
I did, however, do it all in my pj’s.
ain’t so bad the grown up thing. plus as a grown up, you get to choose not to act like one whenever you want!
On those wonderful days off, I love pretending that I don’t have to work, ever. And, as an adult (or a kid in adult’s clothing), I think you enjoy it more.
Oh how I miss Winter Break! I work in education too, but at the university level getting a whole week off for the holidays is a crapshoot. I hope you enjoy your time off and remember to at least set aside an hour each day to do something completely unproductive. Endluge in a mindless show, binge on ice cream, and flip through a Cosmo. Happy holidays!
I wish I has a whole week off from work. But I enjoy going to work most days it is my vacation from house chores and my kids. Dont get me wrong love my kids but when they are up before dawn and fighting for the 10th time by noon work looks really good. Enjoy your time off.
Monogrammed stationery doesn’t make you old, it makes you a lady.
Monogrammed stationery doesn’t make you old, it makes you a lady.
Growing up…ugh. I was thinking back the other day to how old I was when my Mom was my age..I thought she was sooooo old and boring and here I am so young and hip…LMAO. I refuse to grow up. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL, I am going out getting drunk and acting stupid, and I might even kiss a complete stranger at midnight! Muah!
Alright I’ve decided to uncloak myself as this blog was the last straw. I need your addy so I may bestow upon you monogrammed stationery so you too can be an “old lady.” Thanks for the laughs
I would say being a grown up meant not questioning the meaning of life, because by then you don’t give a shit, or you’ve figured out that life really has no meaning!
Some people are born adults and others never achieve life beyond the third grade. I am still just trying to get my pants to match my shirts when I get dressed in the morning.
i don’t care what anyone says, being a grown-up is not as much fun as it looked like in the brochures.
I like this French saying:
Life is not about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself.
Sparky…here’s to creating ourselves vs. growing up. Sounds much better. Also, fish, beginning to at least “think” about a savings account isn’t a bad idea. Wish I had sooner. Oh well, I do have a great shoe, purse, hat, glove and coat collection!
Happy New Year to all…
Teri
Very youthful! Enjoy your time off!
To the ‘teacher’ whose comments started this thread – please learn how to spell before you work on my kid! It’s ‘privileged’, with no ‘d’ in it my dear. And only 1 ‘e’, not 3!
Breaks are your time. Do with it what you will.