Christmas Tradition

One of the best Christmas traditions I have is my holiday get together with my friends. Since we don't have money to spend on gifts for each other my friends and I decided that around every Christmas we would spend time going out and doing something. Last year we saw the play Spamalot, the year before we saw the play Animal Crackers. This year, we decided to go ice skating. It was my friend Meg's first time ice skating (she did awesome, total pro). I haven't skated in 15 years so it felt weird being out on the ice. Seeing some of the other adults on the ice made me want to continue ice skating just to keep up with practice. After skating we went out for dinner (best part we found a place where my friend Katie could have non-chicken, chicken fingers). Best part of our Christmas tradition is spending time with some of my best friends but also that I get to experience some things I wouldn't do anyways.

Things it took me a little longer to learn

1. What stores mean when they advertise BOGO (buy one get one)
2. Truth about Santa (about how he's real)
3. How to take a tequila shot (this took longer because I couldn't pronounce it)
4. How to back a car out of a parking space (I had my license for over 4 years before my sister taught me)
5. When to use who and whom (though now I need to learn the difference between the subject and object of the sentence)

Reminder I'm getting old

There are many time I forget that I'm in my mid-twenties and not a teenager. Sometimes I forget because I still live with my parents, sometimes I forget because I still have to borrow a car from my parents, and sometimes I forget because of my love of young adult books. Regardless of the reason, there are many times I am reminded of my real age. I was reminded of this when I started looking for full-time jobs and apartments. I'm continuously reminded of how I'm getting old every time a friend of from high school or grade school gets married, buys a house, or has a baby. Each of these announcements reminds me that I'm not 13 anymore. Luckily, I'm still young enough that being reminded of my actual age excites me.

Exciting Announcement!

My Not So Normal Life 2: School for Spies is now available here: Link to New Book. It's been years since I started the project making the publication that more special. However, the celebration can't last too long since I am working on the third and final book of the My Not So Normal Life series. I want to give a special thanks to Meg for the work on the cover and my sister for her edits.

Problem with "will they, won't they" couples

I am a fan of shows that feature a "will they won't they" couples. These couples are built on the notion that two people are attracted to each other, love each other, and meant for each other, yet they are never supposed to actually be a couple. I have two problems with these couples. My first problem is all the near misses. The times when they are about to kiss, profess their love and something interrupts them. These moments give me indigestion and make my blood pressure sky rocket. My other (and bigger) problem is all the wasted moments. I classify these moments when the couple should do something but don't. The moment when our hero and heroine believe they are about to die and there is nothing. No sidelong glances, no revelations, no attempted hug or kiss. Wouldn't a couple who are supposed to be so attracted and in love use what they thought is their last moment to say these things. So while I understand why writers have these wasted moments, they still aggravate me to no end.

Holiday Tradition

Today I undertook a Holiday tradition and watched It's a Wonderful Life. Unlike previous years I went to a special showing at my local theater. My local theater is very old, built in 1928. I thought it fitting I see the 1946 movie in a theater old enough to have played the movie in its opening weekend. Watching the movie on the big screen allowed me to see things I missed in previous screenings. What didn't change in this viewing is how easily I tear up. In the first minute of the movie as characters pray for the hero, George Bailey, I already felt tears burning in my eyes. What always gets to me with the movie is how real it is. Unlike other movies built on impossible premises, It's a Wonderful Life built it's entire concept on the idea that normal acts have a power impact. I would encourage everyone to remember that even the smallest actions have big consequences. And especially in this holiday season, let your friends and family know how grateful you are for the simple things they do for you.

Unemployment

I've been job hunting for two months. Dozens of applications and three interviews later and still no job. As the holidays approach and I go to social functions I find my optimism for finding a job lessening. Those who have a grudge against lawyers seem almost smug that I can't find a job, like karma is kicking me for choosing the profession. Others, upon finding out I'm unemployed, give me a look like the "special" kid who still has to use safety scissors. It's gotten to the point where my desire for a job for financial security and professional goals is being dwarfed by my desire to rid myself of the social stigma of unemployment. If there is one thing I learned from this experience is that no matter how high the unemployment rate is, you are still looked down on for being employed or under employed.