Small(ish) Victories

Yesterday, I had an experience that was nothing like I thought it would be.

For the first time in 22 years, I was done with school, with no immediate plans to return.

I had all the graduation festivities in May, but still had a History class to take. Not that I hadn't tried to take it. I had signed up for it during several different semesters and had attempted to test out of it a few weeks before my move to LA. Each of those endeavors had fallen through. So there I was, venturing into the working world with my mind (and stress level) still firmly connected to college.

Having already failed the test once, I was leery to commit to taking it a second time. If I failed this time, I'd have to wait 6 months for another shot. But finally, I committed to do it. I signed up for a time and studied day and night for a week and a half. And I passed by the small margin of 5 points.

I walked out of the testing center as an official college graduate. Being the dramatic person that I am, my immediate reaction was to cry and exclaim how bright the sunshine was and how the birds were singing louder and how the air smelled sweeter. But that wasn't really true.. I stepped out onto a crowded city street during a bizarre thunderstorm. So I just cried happy tears, called my mom, and then went home to make deviled eggs for our church picnic.

My life didn't change drastically. I didn't have a keener sense of smell. And I didn't stand up straighter as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

Instead, I simply felt proud of myself because I had accomplished something I told myself I was going to accomplish.

Sometimes, that's what life is about. It isn't about the dramatic flair of sunshine or exclaiming that your life is immediately changed. Instead, it is those victories that you work long and hard at (and fail at once or twice). It's the times when you give yourself a high five for succeeding before deciding what you want to accomplish next.

Lazy Weekend Double Feature

I haven't blogged or completed anything on my list in a few weeks, which makes me sad. But the reason for it makes me happy. I am working in development at TNT. Which has been intense and hard,  but also amazing and full of growth.

After a crazy couple weeks, I'm happy to announce that I completed not one, but two things over the weekend!!

First, I spent all of Friday watching Game of Thrones and am now officially caught up! Check. Also tears... Oceans of tears.

And secondly, I went to see Blue Velvet at Cinespia (the Hollywood Forever Cemetery Screening).

Honestly, neither item was life changing, or really impactful at all. But, I did learn from this weekend that not everything has to be. Sometimes, it's okay to veg on the couch on your day off or to go see a movie that you hate in the cemetery with your friends... Just because you want to.

I need days like those because I have some big decisions and adventures coming up very soon in my life. I'll tell you more about these decisions when I can, but for now... I love you all! Go have some fun with your Wednesday.

Beach Bonfire: Adventure #7

Yesterday was by far the best time I've ever had at a beach.

A group from my church went to the beach to celebrate someone's birthday. For some peoole it was an all day thing. They got there at 6:30am and stayed until we left at 10pm. I was not that ambitious, however, and getting up before six on my day off did not sound appealing. Instead, I got there after lunch, spread out my towel, slathered sunscreen on myself, and plopped down to read my book. I've been trying to finish Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates since before graduation and (success!!) I got to the end while slowly roasting under the hot July sun.

Beautiful, right?? I thought so... and I even remembered to put a second round of sunscreen on my face and shoulders!

I think the hardest thing for me yesterday was talking to people. When I'm in big groups, I tend to not interact a lot. This was no different, and, other than the time I spent playing in the waves with my friends, I sat on my towel for most of the day, talking to the few people that I knew. Finally, as more and more people started showing up, I realized that I shouldn't be rude. I got up, started talking, dancing, and having fun and (surprise!) I made some great new friends!

So... remember that time I said that talking to people was the hardest part of the day?

WRONG!!!

This was the worst part of the day... In my remembering to put sunscreen on my face and shoulders, I forgot to put it everywhere else.

OUCH!

However, I'll be okay because I don't have to sit in an office chair until Monday, and I have an endless supply of aloe and ibuprofen.

In the end... my beach bonfire adventure was a lovely and successful start to my 101 things in 1001 days adventure!