If I could have it my way, I'd like to live my 20s a few times over. This decade of life makes all the difference once it is completed and none when you're in the midst of it. Not accomplishing anything substantial by the time you're 25 is not really a big deal. There are flimsy excuses and legitimate reasons aplenty to offer if you're not well-established and successful--at least by the world's standards--at that age. As a twentysomething, life is an exciting and frightening welter of possibilities; you can dip your toes into the pool of adulthood without being required to get all the way in. But come 30, your stars should be aligning...or, you should be calming down, anyway.
I actually believe that these years are vital, irreplaceable for the development of character, real values (not what Mom and Dad so graciously conveyed to you), and the lifestyle that will typify the rest of your adulthood. Still, there is an open-ended and giddy quality to the twenties that I'm keen to hold onto. If I could be in my 20s several times over I would opt for the following...
...a PhD before age 30. Serve as a TA, slave over a dissertation, get an impressive credential, move to a small town to teach ungrateful undergraduates who don't look much older than me...
...service overseas. Work among the poor, speak another language, write about what I see, have an open door policy, own less clothes, never want to come back...
...a few kids--have more energy for this in my 20s than I will in my 30s. Buy small shoes, read children's books before bedtime, take trips to the library, nap in the afternoon, have no kids in the house after age 50...
...independent musician. Quit my job, live out of my car, sing in interesting bars, play piano and learn guitar, get a few tattoos, make a living by age 30...
About Me
- Elizabeth
- One of my mom's favorite stories about me regards my behavior at an airport terminal as a small child. Instead of sitting quietly, whining, or begging for food while waiting to board, I walked up to the chairs of strangers, stood in front of them, and stared for a long time. With my blonde hair and innocent expression, surely they initially felt that I was just cute and naive. But after a while, I'm sure it made them uncomfortable. While I no longer stare noticeably at strangers, observing ordinary people and events is still a favorite pastime of mine. Sometimes I like to jot down my observations, which are sometimes quirky, and almost always verbose. This blog is an outlet for my mental ramblings in the hope that my thoughts will interest and entertain. The more mundane details of my life are as follows: recent college grad, degree in English Education, living outside of a large city, member of a large family, daughter of a pastor, and lover of good books.
7 comments:
I'm just slightly offended; you are the daughter of a pastor. Do you have a mother? Is only the male member of the household important?
i don't understand the above comment considering your #3... however, all but the PhD are still possble before you hit 30!!! why not all at once? =P
<3
I kind of thought the same thing as anonymous...I wonder if anonymous is a mother? :)
bryan, if only all at once were really possible...to do well.
bissy, i think you can already guess i'm shooting for number 2. :)
number 3 sounds better and better though.
you would rock at number 4.
and as for number 1...looks like i'll be skipping straight to the ungrateful undergraduates next year, without all the slaving first (saving that part for later maybe?)
i miss you, elizabeth tatum.
april, i would shoot for #2 as well but you could always bring an instrument and form a traveling band with your spouse and kids! =) why not dream big? =D
My versions.
1. Get a different PhD by 30.
2. Become more integrated during time spent over-seas than I was in MX.
3. Not planning to have kids of my own, but would like to be a part of (not unlike RPF) community where I can help others with their kids.
4. Script writer for films or success as novelist.
dlw
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