Let’s play a game: Two truths and a lie…

1. I’m really enjoying my post-grad life living at home with my parents.
2. I got an internship at a very well respected and well-known Public Relations agency.
3. I know exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life.

I’ve always gotten along with my parents; they’re my best friends (to some extent, not to worry). Living with them after college wasn’t out of the question, and to me it seemed like it was the best option. And so it goes, 7 days a week I live at my house, trying to find that balance between social life, boyfriend time, and family togetherness. I’ve struggled to realize I’m not completely on my own anymore. I have to respect the rules my landlords have put in place, the time they’d like to spend with me, and the spotless room I have to keep. I make my own bed, don’t do my own laundry (most of the time), cook dinner every Monday, and do some chores. It’s the least I can do when they don’t make me pay rent.

So moving on. It’s fun to play games to get to know people especially those you just met at a new fast-paced internship when you’re scared out of your mind, hoping you won’t make a mistake or have a dull moment, or even those lax 15 minutes when at the end of the day you have to do the ‘time entry’ and for a solid 15 minutes you have nothing productive to write. Well, I haven’t experienced that yet considering it’s my first day and I wasn’t given specific assignments to do other than “get to know things” around here. I can tell you that I’m so excited to be doing the projects I’ll be working on, meeting new people and hopefully networking like crazy. This internship, maybe, will make me realize what exactly I want to do with my life…

My next point, if you chose number 3 as my lie, you receive a gold star. I’m fresh out of college, and yes I’m at a PR agency, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what I want to do. I have new ideas, I have dreams and goals and desires that I can’t quite sort out. Get your head out of the gutter-- I want things in my life, I want to do things in life, but don’t know what those are yet. I’m sure I’ll figure it out. But until then…

- SwimmerPR

My cat bit me in the face yesterday. Maybe he doesn't think there's enough space in my parent's house for the both of us. Since I know that it's not permanent, I, on the other hand, have been quite comfortable here. That is not what I expected. I never thought I would move back in with my parents. To me, that would be a step backwards; a step towards what I used to be, and not what I want to be. But now, I'm sitting here in the t-shirt from my first job and my high school shorts, typing away in my cute little bedroom. I look like the past, but I don't feel that way. To me, I'm getting opportunities that I had not thought of during graduation time. I'm getting the chance to know my parents better. I'm learning patience and the ability to not only appreciate situations that seem shitty from the get-go, but to truly love them for what they are. My life is beautiful right now (as it always has been) and no level of independence, no matter how great, could make me feel more like that.

When I had graduated college three months ago, I had a colorful and solid plan for my life: Move out west to San Diego and then go with the flow. Then something occurred to me: I don't want to be a useless piece of shit forever. . .just for the summer. Maybe I should care about my job. Maybe I should pick a job that is not useless. Perhaps one that helps people that aren't useless pieces of shit. Well, it turns out that the place to find jobs like that is right where my ass is planted right now: Maryland/D.C. area. So now my plans have changed. I realized one more thing: Being in an office is hell to me. That's what pushed me to do the thing that is the most important on my list: Apply for the Peace Corps.

I'm skipping details here. Many important details. This is why I can't keep journals. I'm too lazy to talk in detail about my day-to-day. I like talking more about what I feel like rather than what I did. Anyway, I'll get to the point about what it's felt like ever since I applied to the Peace Corps; comfort, relief. Suddenly the painstaking task of applying for jobs/internships feels weightless because I know it's only temporary; I can do those jobs well and love them because I may be getting to do what I really want to do soon enough. I'm not much of a planner, but the Peace Corps seems like a way out of getting stuck. As I said, my life is beautiful as it is right now, but it's not what I want forever. I hate thinking too much about the future. It makes you forget to appreciate the present. The thing is, if time keeps moving at the pace that it has recently, the present will come and go in a heartbeat. That right there is the reason all of us have to care about where we're heading.

- The Brown One

How did I end up living in a retirement community?

I am 22 and living in a de facto retirement community. How I ended up here? I ask myself that everyday. I did very well in school and I even know what I want to do with my life (be a teacher). The problem is that there are not enough jobs. I recently graduated from a school in New England with a major in history, a minor in political science and I am licensed to teach Social Studies in grades 7-12. I moved back home after I graduated and I live in a house that is walking distance from my aunts and uncles who are all retired. They dine and do activities with each other every day. I have become the newest member of their little retirement community. I dine with them most evenings and the conversation often goes to subjects that I cannot relate to (i.e different heart medications). I am not trying to complain because my family is fun and entertaining. The only problem is that I do not really know anyone my own age here. My family moved after I graduated high school so all my friends do not live in the area. My only social outlet is with my relatives. This lifestyle has spurned me to try even harder to find a teaching job or anything that will get me out of my house and living somewhere else. I have applied for teaching jobs, paraprofessional jobs and recently am attempting to become a tour guide in a major city. I have not lost faith I will find a job and escape the retirement lifestyle.

- Turtle