Me at 23

So, I recently started a project at work—an introduction letter. A letter about me and my experiences to tell my “clients” about my life and my experiences. Obviously I am writing with a different perspective than I would if I were writing to my friends—or someone who could be my friend—or someone who knew nothing about me, but it was completely unrelated to my job…

Then I got to thinking about Sara Jane’s Borrowing Blogging Brilliance—a long survey about herself. I stole it and tried to fill it out for me, but I never got it done…

Which leads me to this—my letter. My letter about me.

I am 23. I am constantly searching for complacency. I am a wonderer, a wanderer, a writer and a reader. I don’t know that I will ever be satisfied—and in a way, I am totally okay with it. This itch to know and do—to move however ungraceful I may be, it’s what keeps me going. Granted, I may complain about it a lot, but I wouldn’t change this “itch” for anything.

I appreciate my family more now than I ever have in life. They are fun to be around, and I have fully recognized that. Of course, they drive me nuts sometimes, and the good ole’ guilt trip from dad for not making it to his place on the weekend is still often in place, but really, they’re pretty cool people. My niece is pretty spectacular, too. It’s weird to think that a year and a half ago, she just wasn’t here…I think one of the coolest transititons I have experienced in my family was when my sister became one of my very best friends. I am also very grateful for the rest of my friends—they are some of the greatest people I have ever known.

I think traveling in college changed my worldview. Living in London was amazing, but visiting the slums in Bangkok was definitely an eye opening experience. I’ve been to something like 10 or 12 countries, and am no longer afraid of what else is out there. This has also left me with an unbelievable urge to go and see more.

I’m pretty bad at letting people in. I think I am independent almost to a fault. I’ve made myself believe that I don’t need anyone, and so I am not very likely to let them even try…This also explains my single-hood and inability to let anything go past a 6th date.

I am quite liberal. Let the gays get married, I say. And keep your hands off my biology. You get the picture. Go Hillary! We'll see you in 2012, girl! Suck it, conservatives.

I want to go to graduate school so badly I can taste it. My problem lies in what to study.

I have an extreme fear of disappointing people. Thus, I am one of the most loyal friends you’ll ever have. I once passed up a free trip to Mexico so I wouldn’t let my partner down in representing Kazakhstan in a Model UN competition.

I am terribly sarcastic. Sometimes I offend people. I’m really only trying to have fun. Honest.

My best friend from my childhood is still my best friend in adulthood. She’s in NYC and we chat basically daily. She challenges me. She doesn’t let me see my world through rose-colored glasses. She’s always there for me—she always has been and always will be. Even though sometimes we have gone for months at a time without speaking—once we pick back up, it’s just like nothing ever changed. I can't wait to visit her in August!

I have a ridiculous obsession with my music. Especially Missy Higgins. She’s amazing. You should probably check her out—especially all you girls who like depressing ballads—this music is for you.

I enjoy weird TV shows: Deadliest Catch, Black Gold, Kathy Griffin: My life on the D list, Ace of Cakes, Ice Road Truckers, etc. Mostly anything that isn’t on a network station.

Sex and the City changed my life.

I play on a softball league, and am not in the least athletic.

I love blogging. I often wish I could think of meaningful things to blog about, but usually just end up with random stories about my life. I think it’s a great tool to keep a journal as far as where I am on this day and read back through, but also to keep my friends updated. It’s a creative outlet—a place where I’m quite certain I can be myself and ignore your judgment—because if you don’t like it, stop reading!

That’s me. At 23. In a nutshell. I want a lot. I think a lot. I have loved a lot. I have lost a lot. I wonder a lot. I have plans to do a lot. I have a lot to be thankful for. And day to day, I try to live all of this with grace...