2012

2012.  A New Year.

"New Year"s have never been that meaningful or exciting for me.  I suppose this is partly because I don't particularly party, but in recent years, New Year's has meant little more to me than the passing of another ordinary day and a reminder to purchase a new calendar.

This New Year's was no different.  I spent most of New Year's Eve sleeping in my bed at my perhaps-more-teenage-than-childhood home.  I spent the evening lying on a couch, incapacitated by a rash that had sprung up on arms, feeling uncomfortable and a bit sorry for myself.

But that's a pathetic sob story for a different day.

Back at the farm (as Mr. Millard would say).  Today I realized that this year, 2012, would be the year in which I turn 24 years old.  Twenty-four. I know that claiming that this is "soooo old" is only asking for rolling eyes and other altogether unsympathetic reactions.  So I'll refrain from making this proclamation.

In all honesty, I don't think 24 is old.  But I do think it marks a definitive end to pre-adulthood, especially now that I'm no longer in school.  At 24, you are definitively an adult.  Some grow up earlier than this, but at 24, even the stragglers have difficulty holding on to the last rays of childhood.

Anyway, the bottom line is, I realized today that this is the year in which I turn 24.  (Quite a late and sudden realization, in spite of all those weekends practicing math problems in my youth...)  24 is only 6 years away from 30 (ha, I knew that math practice would kick in!), when you really really become an adult.  Which means I only have 6.5 years left in my twenties...

Well, in that case, I'd better get going.  Start figuring out my career.  Start doing all those things that I want to do.  Gotta get a move on.  It's taken me long enough.

As such, I'd like to propose just one resolution for the new year (again, something I've rarely considered seriously in the past, but I suppose forced adulthood is enough of an inspiration to change):

1. Start taking chances, rather than just considering them.  Stop always choosing the safe and sensible option.  Start living the exciting experiences I admire and crave.

2012.  The first year of adulthood.  And the time to start living.