“I’m twenty-two now, but I won’t be for long.” — Simon and Garfunkel

My birthday is in less than two months.  It’s still a ways away, but I am currently trying to get everything prepared to head to Boston for a few days to get away and celebrate the anniversary of my birth.  I am quite excited.

With this entire birthday thing looming in the back of my mind, I’ve realized that I’m making an awkward transition into my mid-twenties and I now have to be an adult.  I have to be at work each morning, I have many responsibilities to take care of each day, and I’m not allowed to live the undergraduate lifestyle of putting off tasks and taking cat naps whenever possible.  Now I have to take care of myself and put my best foot forward out into the real world. And this transition has been scary.

All of my good friends are back to school at my alma mater.  I miss it dearly, but know that I am beyond ready for the next stage in my life.  It was good to visit them for my friend’s twenty-first, but it was such a strange feeling being back and it not feeling like home.  Everything will survive without me being there, and everyone has their own important things to be doing in their lives, but I feel as though a part of me is missing out on those experiences.  But, I had them.  I’m ready for the new adventures I am about to embark on.  Even if I need to remind myself of that a few times, it is still true.

To really take care of myself, I’m purchasing some major items for my apartment and wardrobe.  (Yes, it is responsible to dress well!)  I went to REI today after a meeting with the alumnae association of Alpha Delta Pi, and I got a super adorable down-filled coat that will stand the tests of a Madison winter.  It was originally $180, scoped it out for $40.  Yes, I am that good and thrifty of a shopper.  I also got some North Face fleeces and goods the other day, so I am almost stocked for the winter.  I just need a new North Face puffer vest, and maybe a fuzzy coat and I’m good.  It’s sad that I’m getting my mother’s obsession with winter coats.  But at least I’ll be warm!

As far as my apartment goes, I’m just ensuring that it’s cute enough to show off to my parents.  I’m pretty sure my mom wants to move in.  I just need a new iMac to get me through the next few years — this MacBook I’m using now has been well-loved.  But I need to upgrade to Snow Leopard instead of still using Tiger.  :(  Oh, and I need to replace that digital camera that took a little dip into Lake Mendota.  Ooops.

I’m off to get ready for bed and another day in the library.  Such a fun adventure.