Short hair, Long commute: Find and celebrate the things in life you love.

A lot of porch sitting.

That’s what I’ve been doing.

Sitting & thinking & remembering & making lists.

This is what happens when you’re 25 and you move home after a year of service in AmeriCorps:

· First, you run out of money, almost immediately.

· But before that, for like a hot second, you are on top of the world. You can do WHATEVER YOU WANT. So what did I do? Well, I went to Walden Pond a lot, I went on vacation with my hilarious family, I reconnected with my friends, I celebrated life with friends, I said goodbye to some friends (not like “ GOOD RIDDANCE!" more like: “HAVE FUN ON YOUR ADVENTURE” type of goodbyes (which are the best kind), I took more pictures of all of the above, I ate more ice cream, I missed Cody while I sat on my porch, I ran more, I talked politics with J Kirk, I went to Kohl’s with Lo. I applied for jobs. I said YES when a friend asked if I wanted to do something (anything). What did I learn? I am a horrible row boater, seriously bad. I also had time to think about my friends, about how long I’ve known some of them, and about how freaking talented they all are. Everyone is into something different, but hot damn, they’re all working their shit. (Keep doing that, I love you.)

· Second, (after you are on top of the world, when the money is gone) you will clean a closet filled with memories for gas money. I kept my 7^th grade agenda. Why did I do this? I have no idea. But I realized I was busy in 7^th grade. Much busier than I am now. This made me think; I should get busier, so now, I will. (Thanks 7^th grade soccer & *NSYNC obsessed me.)

· Third, you might try to be an adult. I tried to be an adult. (Or I guess, I am being an adult?No, no, that sounds so scary, I'm "trying to be an adult" - okay.) I made some big choices. Choices that I would usually go against; like picking the “responsible” route instead of what I really wanted to do. So far, I have realized this: No matter where you are, you can find and celebrate the things in life you love. I may not be able to see my friends every day, but I can call them and remind myself how lucky I am to know them. I may not be able to go climb the Rockies whenever I want, but I can drive to Wazels and climb the rocks! It always goes back to attitude. Choose to be happy, to celebrate life and life will love you right back.

· Fourth, you might start wearing spandex. I started wearing spandex under dresses. Let’s face it, you might forget you’re wearing a dress or you might want to climb a tree. Plus it has a slimming effect, right?

· Fifth, you will try new things. Going forward, I’m going to try new things. I am going to be taking different type of Yoga classes and writing about my experiences. I’m uncoordinated and awkward so that should be interesting. One of the classes involves some aerial yoga, YIKES. That should be fun? I’m going to say yes more, I’m going to expand myself in ways I can, where I am. So look out for these new adventures, I’ll be writing about them.

· Sixth, you WILL eat Nutella – Oh my god. It’s unreal. It’s chocolate frosting in disguise. Eat it.

· Seventh, if you are 25 and home alone during the day you will start to have solo dance parties in your kitchen around 3:00pm.

· Eighth, 8^th grade. (This one might not happen for you.) I’m hopeful that I will be re-experiencing 8^th grade this year. Fingers crossed. 8^th grade.

· Ninth is a weird word to write and to say. (I think I spelled that wrong?)

· Tenth, you will take more pictures and listen to music. (That might really happen.) Okay here they are: my pictures, things to add to my "list of things to try" and Elton John. Some other things too:

This was a Monday , it took us 10 minutes to hike here. We got lost on the way back somehow, met a lady, got a history lesson, saw peach trees and met dogs....getting lost is excellent. (Most of the time)