This is the end, the story’s old and it goes on and on until we disappear. (1)

Well, this is it. My last day as a twentysomething.

I really would like to have some sort of epic last journal entry but I just don’t have one.

My twenties have been hard. Sometimes they were downright horrible. Other times were the best of my life this far. I’ve traveled up and down the California coast, to the South, across the country to the Midwest, and across the world to Belfast, Northern Ireland.

I’ve made some amazing friends, fallen in love, gotten my heart broken, found God, lost my way and sorta found it again, and discovered that I have the strength to pull through difficult times with enough help from my friends, family, and God.

I’ve had a couple of okay jobs, a very horrible job, and finally have a job working for a company I love. They’ve all taught me something new. I’ve had a lot of money, a little money, and practically no money. Somehow, I usually have enough money to get by.

I’ve taken risks. I’ve had some wins. I’ve had some losses. I’ve wished and hoped and seen some come to be and others have remained a dream.

I’ve lost two of the most important people in my life – my grandpa first and my grandma second. I had the privilege of holding a newborn baby, hours after she was born. I’ve met some amazing little girls who aren’t my own nieces but whom I love just like they were. I see hope and a future in them. I can only imagine the life ahead for them and how they will grow and experience some of the same things I’ve experienced.

I’ve learned that, as alone as I feel sometimes, I’m really not that alone. There’s always going to be someone to reach out to. Things aren’t always going to be easy but they won’t always be tough either. I’m not a twentysomething anymore but I’m still me.

I don’t feel like I should be thirty but I am. Time to deal with it and face this new day tomorrow with a hope for a future that is fulfilling, meaningful, and full of love.

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Sometimes having an “adult” job really sucks -or- In retrospect, getting laid off can be a good thing (83)

I work in Payroll and today was the first day that I wasn’t exactly thrilled with my job.  Up until now, I didn’t really personally know anyone who got “termed” but today I did.  I don’t really know the person super well but we had hung out outside of work.  So we weren’t super close but I could still say we’re friends.  It was awkward and sad to have the knowledge that they weren’t going to have a job at the company anymore and I knew about it before they did.  But I knew this was part of the job and I also knew that this was going to be the most difficult part of my job for me.  

 

I’ve never been fired before but I have been downsized.  It came at me and all my coworkers from left field.  We were working hard and our branch was doing well when, all of a sudden, the regional manager comes in, talks to the manager for a few minutes, our manager comes out of his office and calls a meeting, and the regional manager says. 

“I’m going to keep this short and sweet.  As of right now, this branch is closed.  You have 5 minutes to pack up your desk and leave.  Your final check will be sent to you through the mail.”

And that was it.  It was at a crazy bad time of my life for that to happen too.  I had just signed a one year lease on an apartment that I loved and I was living 2,000 miles away from all my friends and family and in a really bad relationship with a guy who just got fired – on the same day that I got laid off!  Luckily, my mom came out to visit for my birthday a week later and she kind of rescued me and told me I could move back home to Cali and start over.  So I did.  

 

I guess, in retrospect, getting laid off was the best thing ever to happen to me.  It was the catalyst that set in motion some really good things that would happen a few years down the road.  It still sucked for a really long time (like 2 years) after but it happened and now it’s in the past so…there ya go.  God used it for good and I ultimately was able to get out of that relationship which I probably would be miserable in right now had that not occurred.  

 

But back to my current job.  I really love the people I work with and the “family” like atmosphere we have.  But the downside, which I know clearly see, is that, when you’re that comfortable with people, it’s hard to see them leave.

 

O’ Night Divine! O’ Night! O’ Holy Night! or I Finally Learned Some Christmas Carols (293)

My Christmas tree from 2011 since this year I have no tree. 😦

 

I’m officially exhausted!  I had a long day at work followed by shopping, essay writing, baking, learning Christmas Carols on my guitar, and packing.  Realistically, one more night and my room will be packed.  I’m so ready for moving to be over.  I’m in the home stretch (pun intended).  Other good news, another girl at work (roughly my age) might be looking for a roommate in the next couple of months.  Her job might include some traveling in the future so I’d basically live by myself all week long and have a roommate on the weekends.  Not too bad a deal if you ask me.  I’m not home that much on the weekends anyways.  We’ll see though.  She’s not sure if she wants to have a roommate so I’m going to continue looking for other options in the mean time.

 

It’s weird going through the things one accumulates over the years.  I have a lot more stuff that I never even look at which makes me wonder why I still have it.  I think I’m going to make myself go through boxes at least once every 9-12 months and get rid of stuff that I don’t care about anymore or even think about nonetheless use.  Yeah, sounds like a good plan.  Someone remind me in 9 months please.  🙂

 

I’m currently watching Friends.  I have literally seen every episode at minimum 6 times.  The episode right now is the one where Chandler and Joey’s chick is turning into a rooster and it makes Rachel and Monica mad so they play a game of Who Knows Who Best.  Rachel and Monica end up losing the game so, instead of the guys having to get rid of their rooster, Monica and Rachel have to switch apartments with Chandler and Joey.  My favorite part has to be when we discover that Chandler gets his TV Guide mailed to Ms. Chanandeler Bong. Even though I know all of the jokes before they happen, I still crack up when they’re said.  Oh 90’s TV shows, how I love you.

 

Well, I’m off to sleep now.  Hopefully I can wake up in the morning for my last day of regular work before vacation!!!!  Technically we all have Friday off but I’m working it and possibly Saturday so I don’t have to come in during my vacation.  I am soooo blessed with 2 full weeks off from work to spend some much needed down time with my family and my friends (all of whom have barely seen me in the last 6ish months).  Yup…

 

Peace, love, and happy holidays,

Jenn