A few weeks ago, I turned 34. That is almost halfway to 70. 15 years ago, if someone asked me where I'd be when I was 34, I would have replied that I'd have several years under my belt in a career that I love and maybe a kid or two. Obviously, that is not the case.
I do not regret for a second the choices that I have made. I do not regret for a second the experiences I've had. I'm 34 and I have been to Paris more times than I can count (yet it never ceases to take my breath away). I've slept in a tent in the Sahara Desert. I've fought back tears at the American Cemetery in Normandy. I've walked on the Great Wall of China. I've shoveled elephant poop in Thailand. I've ridden in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia. I've seen funeral pyres burning on the banks of the Ganges. I've gawked at Mohamed Al-Fayed in Harrods. I've been to the 38th parallel and looked into North Korea's fake city. When I'm in a place far from home, looking at something so amazing that it doesn't feel real, I have to stop and catch my breath and ask myself what I did in my life that brought me there. I felt it driving though the Atlas Mountains. I felt it watching the sunset at Monsoon Palace. I felt it sitting on the beach in Malaga. I've never done any type of drugs, but it's not possible that the high is better than that feeling.
However, now I am 34 and looking for entry level jobs. My fellow 34 year old friends all have well established careers, homes, and their own families, while I am competing with 22 year olds for jobs and hoping I have enough money to pay rent while working as a nanny. No regrets, but my current situation in life is somewhat demoralizing. This week I accepted a job as an assistant teacher in a Montessori school on the north side of the city. I'm excited for this change. It is a step in a careerish direction. The money is not great for a 34 year old. The commute will be longer than I'd like. I'll have to get a summer job. But again, I'm 34 with no real work experience. Beggars can't be choosers. This is important experience and I am excited. Whether or not it turns into a career remains TBD. Truthfully, my only real aspiration in life is to travel as much as possible.
Also, if Americans could stop shooting each other, that'd be great. Seriously guys, stop.
Also, I spilled ice cream on my keyboard while writing this. It's possible I licked it off. #adult
I do not regret for a second the choices that I have made. I do not regret for a second the experiences I've had. I'm 34 and I have been to Paris more times than I can count (yet it never ceases to take my breath away). I've slept in a tent in the Sahara Desert. I've fought back tears at the American Cemetery in Normandy. I've walked on the Great Wall of China. I've shoveled elephant poop in Thailand. I've ridden in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia. I've seen funeral pyres burning on the banks of the Ganges. I've gawked at Mohamed Al-Fayed in Harrods. I've been to the 38th parallel and looked into North Korea's fake city. When I'm in a place far from home, looking at something so amazing that it doesn't feel real, I have to stop and catch my breath and ask myself what I did in my life that brought me there. I felt it driving though the Atlas Mountains. I felt it watching the sunset at Monsoon Palace. I felt it sitting on the beach in Malaga. I've never done any type of drugs, but it's not possible that the high is better than that feeling.
However, now I am 34 and looking for entry level jobs. My fellow 34 year old friends all have well established careers, homes, and their own families, while I am competing with 22 year olds for jobs and hoping I have enough money to pay rent while working as a nanny. No regrets, but my current situation in life is somewhat demoralizing. This week I accepted a job as an assistant teacher in a Montessori school on the north side of the city. I'm excited for this change. It is a step in a careerish direction. The money is not great for a 34 year old. The commute will be longer than I'd like. I'll have to get a summer job. But again, I'm 34 with no real work experience. Beggars can't be choosers. This is important experience and I am excited. Whether or not it turns into a career remains TBD. Truthfully, my only real aspiration in life is to travel as much as possible.
Also, if Americans could stop shooting each other, that'd be great. Seriously guys, stop.
Also, I spilled ice cream on my keyboard while writing this. It's possible I licked it off. #adult
