All the reasons adulthood is overrated

1. There is no allowance. Sure, you get a paycheck (hopefully!), but it's not the same as an allowance. Although, I never had an allowance as a kid, so I can't say for sure.

2. All the decisions you make are higher stakes. It's not that kids don't have decisions, but there aren't as many life-altering decisions when you are ten. And, there is generally someone to steer you right if you make the wrong one. 

3. All the games from childhood are now real. And somehow, not play. I love to make messes in the kitchen, but there's a certain element of imagination that is gone from it these days. Plus, the dishes have to be washed for real. Although, driving a real car is way better than pretending.

4. People don't think you are as inherently funny and adorable as an adult. 

5. There's no one to cuddle you when you are sad, no lap to sit on so you can just be held as an adult. "Let me kiss it better" isn't an option anymore. 

6. Meetings. I'm just saying. 

7. There is no summer vacation. Welcome to the real world, where life keeps going for all twelve months of the year. 

8. You are supposed to know the answers, but you still haven't gotten the handbook. And, yeah, don't forget number 2, higher stakes. Good times. (Honestly, adults are just winging it. Don't be fooled). 

And now, for the honest truth. Even though adulthood isn't all it's cracked up to be, I wouldn't go back. To be happy as a child, I'd have to give up everything I know and have learned and become, and I think the price is more than I want to pay. But I wouldn't say no to a handbook. Or summer vacation. Or something.

The Ordinaries #2

Well, Time magazine released their 100 Most Influential People. I usually look at those lists, and I always wonder what their definition of 'influential' is. Anyway, I figured with the 100 most influential people, it would be a great time do award some more Ordinaries. So, here goes:

1) The bus driver, who recognizes me and a lot of other frequent riders and says hello and will keep an eye out for the riders he recognizes.

2) There was the guy in the post office, who was the only one working at the counter, because it was close to pick up and ship out. And he saw the really long line, and he tried really hard to make sure that he gave everyone good service, but you could tell he was also trying to hurry, so that he wasn't keeping people waiting.

3) My friends M. C. and M. R. I look forward to seeing them on Sundays.

4) A. M. and J. K., some more of my friends. They are just trying to live and work and be happy. They are really good at giving moral support, because they can relate to the average Joe. Or Josefina as the case may be.

5) The people I work with. It's so encouraging to see so many good, nice people doing what they can to live a good life and make their corner of the world a better place.

I know there are some mass awards there, but that's the thing about ordinary people. There are a lot of us :) And, so to all the ordinaries out there, keep up the good work.

So close, and yet so far away

Last weekend, it looked like spring had really and truly finally arrived. And then it started to rain. And it rained and rained and was cold and windy. And today, there were even traces of snow. I don't mind the rain. In fact, I'm a fan of rain. I love walking in rain. I spent a semester in the Dominican Republic, and I would walk in the rain there, and it was like heaven, because the rain was warm--not hot, but just the right kind of warm. And the family that I stayed with would freak out when I got home all wet. They swore that I would get sick and die from walking in the rain! Then I had to find reasons to walk out without an umbrella so I'd have an excuse, but it was worth it. Anyway, I digress. It's not that I mind the rain. It's just the cold I'm opposed to. I'm ready for sunshine, or at least temperatures in the high 40's and 50's.

I don't really mind too much, I suppose. It just seems so much like my life. So close, so close to having things settle down. And yet so far away. Ah well. At least it's close. And there is still the hope of spring to enjoy.