20 Somethings

I remember when I was eleven. I'd be walking with my Mom through the grocery store with my tapped-down bangs, hair wrapped up in a messy bun, with baggy-ish pants and my addidas T-shirt. Yes, I was a more than slightly awkward girl trying to fit in, and even more, simply attempting to figure myself out and understand who I was.

But then we'd get to the check out counter where all the magazines would be lined up and... I would see it.

Seventeen magazine.

My stare would linger on the cover of some teenage girl smiling back at me. I wanted what she had. I wanted to experience what she experienced and I couldn't wait to actually be seventeen. That's when my life would miraculously make sense. All the boys would like me. All the girls would want to be my friend. And I would be living the good life.

Well, seventeen came along, and as good as it was (seriously... my high school experience was awesome), it wasn't what Seventeen magazine made it out to be. But now, 25! That's the year that things happen! Or so I believed.

And now I'm 24. I'll be 25 next month. And just like that seventeen myth... I wonder what my twenty fifth year will bring.

More change? Undoubtedly.

More heartbreak? Most likely.

More joy, more questions, more struggle, more decisions, more adventure, more fun? Absolutely.

And I look forward in expectation to it all.

Am I going crazy?

Oh my gosh... I can't decide if I'm losing my mind or if I'm finally finding a remedy for my deep need for some puppy love... like the real puppy love... the kind that licks and wiggles and runs like the wind until he can't any longer and collapses in a heap of exhaustion and joy.

The remedy you ask? Well... I'm not really sure if I should admit this... but I will...

I just emailed a company in Greenlake that runs a dog day care/over-night boarding facility and offered to VOLUNTEER my time.

That's right. Volunteer. Free of charge. No money required. I just want to play with their dogs... maybe take one for a walk or run... simply love them a little. Because, I just want a dog so bad, and I know I can't have one, so perhaps this will remedy my heartache for a puppy of my own for a while.

We'll see what they say. I hope they at least want to meet me... because I'm pretty sure once they do, they'll see how utterly OBSESSED I am with dogs and will let me stop by from time to time to play.

And if they don't... well then I'm back to square one and may end up with a little pup of my own sometime soon... because I just can't say "no" forever...

Simple Ramblings

• Remember in your pre-adolescent past when you longed for a puppy? Remember how it consumed your every thought as life simply hung on the edge of need as the longing grew deeper and deeper? Well, I've discovered that puppy syndrome is contagious in adults too. Crazy. Maybe I've read Where the Red Fern Grows too many times... or maybe I simply need to give in... for now I'm holding on to someday.
• How are you supposed to deal with feelings of disrespect? Feelings of being unappreciated and taken advantage of? Especially when you can't do anything about it? Makes you want to just stay home and watch Millionaire Matchmaker... yep, its that depressing. Ha. I'm holding on for something better.
• Variety is the spice of life. Seriously. Without possibility of un-sameness, life would be consumingly boring and unfulfilling and dry and... well... dead. Therefore, I will never surround myself with sameness.
• I just bought some girl scout cookies... and I'm excited :)
• My knee continues to heal. But I wore heels to an event the other night and ruined it again. It hurts. It needs to get better. I have mountains to climb this summer.
• Friendlies are the best thing in life. I am consumed by gratitude and thankfulness for the friendlies in my life. Without them I would be lost.
• It is Thursday... Friday tomorrow... and then the weekend. Oh happy weekend! You came so fast. Thank you.