So, I hit "the big 24 today." Work is a little calm right now as the little one has thrown herself into Fortnite after finishing up her homework and given I'll be gone for the evening, I thought I'd take this opportunity. Twenty-four isn't exactly a milestone, but I think with every age that comes and goes we're still a little more "worldly" than the year before. I only joined RPR in January but my brief time here has already landed me great stories and wonderful RP partners. I just thought I'd share with you all 24 things I have personally learned.
Some are a tad silly, some are serious. There will undoubtedly be cliches and platitudes.
1. For cleaning blenders, stick dishwashing soap and water then blend. I still scrub afterwards, but it's less tedious.
2. If you have the bread to spare, you can use it to pick up tiny pieces of broken glasses. I don't eat much bread anymore and I'm not saying glass gets broken often, but's a winning combo. The little fibers snag them up easily!
3. You will definitely regret the things you didn't say more than the things you did say. It's situational, but by far, my regrets have been words I withheld.
4. Coming into adulthood, we're all busy. Your friends might not be there for you at the drop of a hat every time , but it doesn't mean they love you any less.
5. By the same token, you shouldn't love them any less either.
6. As long as they don't hurt anyone, don't let people make you feel poorly for your interests and hobbies.
7. It's true that sometimes the most difficult people are the ones who need love and care the most, but don't expend yourself in that role.
8. Try new things, whether it's a new restaurant or a media genre you're not the biggest fan of. I'm not a big sci-fi lover but I still loved the Lost in Space no less.
9. Experience new cultures. I've been to a Turkish wedding, a Honduran birthday party, and every lunar new year (or when the Chinese new year begins) I'm given red and gold envelopes with a few dollars inside for prosperity. Watch TV shows, look up recipes.
10. Bond with the little ones in your life. I started out as a hired nanny, but the child I watch looks at me and sees an Aunt or an older sister. I took an honest interest in what she enjoyed, and soon enough, she wanted to learn of my interests. It's brought us a lot closer. She looks forward to finishing her homework so that afterwards we can play games together, watch shows (I highly recommend The Dragon Prince for those with young ones interested in fantasy), and movies.
11. Always, always have something put away. Whether it's gift money from a relative or your income, take some of it and save it. I know it's commonly parroted advice but we tend to get into the habit of assuming nothing will happen, so we stop saving. Always be prepared.
12. Be prepared to accept an apology you might never get. But Mae! Why should I accept something that never comes? For yourself. Sometimes the wounded have to tend to themselves, and that's okay. It's not okay that the other person won't offer you that, but that's why you need to give yourself the closure they won't. Don't forget whatever it was that happened, but move on from it for you. It will take time, maybe a very long time, but you'll always be farther than you were.
13. It's okay not to be okay. Hear me out, but listen to Barbie. I'm now a 24 year old adult but I still watch this every now and then. It even came out on my birthday, so in a weird way, I think I was meant to find it.
14. You can do everything right and things still might not work out. This was probably one of the hardest lessons I've had to learn. Admittedly, it's one I don't always come to terms with. It sucks and it's hard, but just maybe, it's because there's somewhere else you're supposed to be.
15. The universe has 3 answers: yes, not yet, or I have something better. I believe everything happens for a reason. If something doesn't work out, it's not the end all be all. This mantra of, "the universe's 3 answers" has gotten me through some really rough patches and maybe it'll help some of you, too.
15. Don't. Put. Avocados. In. The. Fridge. The cold slows down the ripening process. I love to make avocado smoothies from time to time and I learned this the hard way.
16. There's a faster way to peel garlic cloves and hard boiled eggs. Stick them into tightly-sealed containers and just shake. Shake for maybe 20 seconds. I don't get the science behind it, but it works.
17. Save a cup of the water you used to boil your pasta. Dump it into your spaghetti or pasta sauce. It will make the sauce stick better to the noodles!
18. You and your friends don't need to be total clones in interests and personalities. Some of my closest friends in life have been stark contrasts to me as a person. (I like pastels, one of my closest friends likes darker and dramatic colors. I'm talkative, she's a little more reserved. I like pop, she prefers country.) But, because of our "clashing" preferences, we've also introduced each other to new things.
19. Take advantage of the timers and alarms on your phone or your laptop. For anything and everything. If you feel like you might forget something, make a timer and title it that. Dishes in the dishwasher? Set an alarm. Paper due? Set an alarm everyday and title it, "do paper" or something.
20. Smile at people you see. Even if they don't smile back. More often than not, they do! It's one of the small joys in life for me. ♥ And I mean if they don't smile back at least you tried.
21. Friendships deserve anniversaries, too. Romantic relationships aren't the only meaningful ones in our lives. Keep dates for the friends you've made, like when you guys met, or when you went somewhere new. If you don't remember exactly when you met, make one up! This especially goes for online friendships.
22. There is such a thing as break-ups for friends. Sometimes, it hurts even worse. People just grow apart. Be happy for the memories you made and never stop wishing them well if you can help it.
23. We've all said or done something hurtful. We'll probably always say or do something hurtful. I'm not an exception to the rule. I sometimes still remember something less-than-pleasant that was of my own doing. All I can do is remind myself I'm not that person anymore and I'm trying my best to be better. If I slip up, I'll try to make it right.
24. Treat yourself. Get your hair and nails done when you can. (This goes for guys, too!) Everyone deserves to feel preened and pretty.
Some are a tad silly, some are serious. There will undoubtedly be cliches and platitudes.
1. For cleaning blenders, stick dishwashing soap and water then blend. I still scrub afterwards, but it's less tedious.
2. If you have the bread to spare, you can use it to pick up tiny pieces of broken glasses. I don't eat much bread anymore and I'm not saying glass gets broken often, but's a winning combo. The little fibers snag them up easily!
3. You will definitely regret the things you didn't say more than the things you did say. It's situational, but by far, my regrets have been words I withheld.
4. Coming into adulthood, we're all busy. Your friends might not be there for you at the drop of a hat every time , but it doesn't mean they love you any less.
5. By the same token, you shouldn't love them any less either.
6. As long as they don't hurt anyone, don't let people make you feel poorly for your interests and hobbies.
7. It's true that sometimes the most difficult people are the ones who need love and care the most, but don't expend yourself in that role.
8. Try new things, whether it's a new restaurant or a media genre you're not the biggest fan of. I'm not a big sci-fi lover but I still loved the Lost in Space no less.
9. Experience new cultures. I've been to a Turkish wedding, a Honduran birthday party, and every lunar new year (or when the Chinese new year begins) I'm given red and gold envelopes with a few dollars inside for prosperity. Watch TV shows, look up recipes.
10. Bond with the little ones in your life. I started out as a hired nanny, but the child I watch looks at me and sees an Aunt or an older sister. I took an honest interest in what she enjoyed, and soon enough, she wanted to learn of my interests. It's brought us a lot closer. She looks forward to finishing her homework so that afterwards we can play games together, watch shows (I highly recommend The Dragon Prince for those with young ones interested in fantasy), and movies.
11. Always, always have something put away. Whether it's gift money from a relative or your income, take some of it and save it. I know it's commonly parroted advice but we tend to get into the habit of assuming nothing will happen, so we stop saving. Always be prepared.
12. Be prepared to accept an apology you might never get. But Mae! Why should I accept something that never comes? For yourself. Sometimes the wounded have to tend to themselves, and that's okay. It's not okay that the other person won't offer you that, but that's why you need to give yourself the closure they won't. Don't forget whatever it was that happened, but move on from it for you. It will take time, maybe a very long time, but you'll always be farther than you were.
13. It's okay not to be okay. Hear me out, but listen to Barbie. I'm now a 24 year old adult but I still watch this every now and then. It even came out on my birthday, so in a weird way, I think I was meant to find it.
14. You can do everything right and things still might not work out. This was probably one of the hardest lessons I've had to learn. Admittedly, it's one I don't always come to terms with. It sucks and it's hard, but just maybe, it's because there's somewhere else you're supposed to be.
15. The universe has 3 answers: yes, not yet, or I have something better. I believe everything happens for a reason. If something doesn't work out, it's not the end all be all. This mantra of, "the universe's 3 answers" has gotten me through some really rough patches and maybe it'll help some of you, too.
15. Don't. Put. Avocados. In. The. Fridge. The cold slows down the ripening process. I love to make avocado smoothies from time to time and I learned this the hard way.
16. There's a faster way to peel garlic cloves and hard boiled eggs. Stick them into tightly-sealed containers and just shake. Shake for maybe 20 seconds. I don't get the science behind it, but it works.
17. Save a cup of the water you used to boil your pasta. Dump it into your spaghetti or pasta sauce. It will make the sauce stick better to the noodles!
18. You and your friends don't need to be total clones in interests and personalities. Some of my closest friends in life have been stark contrasts to me as a person. (I like pastels, one of my closest friends likes darker and dramatic colors. I'm talkative, she's a little more reserved. I like pop, she prefers country.) But, because of our "clashing" preferences, we've also introduced each other to new things.
19. Take advantage of the timers and alarms on your phone or your laptop. For anything and everything. If you feel like you might forget something, make a timer and title it that. Dishes in the dishwasher? Set an alarm. Paper due? Set an alarm everyday and title it, "do paper" or something.
20. Smile at people you see. Even if they don't smile back. More often than not, they do! It's one of the small joys in life for me. ♥ And I mean if they don't smile back at least you tried.
21. Friendships deserve anniversaries, too. Romantic relationships aren't the only meaningful ones in our lives. Keep dates for the friends you've made, like when you guys met, or when you went somewhere new. If you don't remember exactly when you met, make one up! This especially goes for online friendships.
22. There is such a thing as break-ups for friends. Sometimes, it hurts even worse. People just grow apart. Be happy for the memories you made and never stop wishing them well if you can help it.
23. We've all said or done something hurtful. We'll probably always say or do something hurtful. I'm not an exception to the rule. I sometimes still remember something less-than-pleasant that was of my own doing. All I can do is remind myself I'm not that person anymore and I'm trying my best to be better. If I slip up, I'll try to make it right.
24. Treat yourself. Get your hair and nails done when you can. (This goes for guys, too!) Everyone deserves to feel preened and pretty.
if you read this entire thing b l e s s
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAE!!!!
From just shy of a decade farther along:
Love - It's the only currency that grows as you spend it
Know how to fry an egg, throw a punch, and change a tire. You never know when one of those is needed
Get your passport. Adventure awaits you, but it doesn't wait for paperwork.
Life's too short to drink cheap wine.
Life's definitely too short to care about how expensive the wine you're drinking is.
Your favorite beer should always be free. Your second favorite beer is cold.
You don't have to be an idiot to laugh at fart jokes, but you do have to be one not to.
Fear is a warning sign, not a stop sign.
If you like someone and you don't know if they like you, ask. Worst that can happen is they say no.
BS games will always be a part of your professional life, but don't let them infect your private one.
Good stuff, hun. Also, for number 14.
Cause damn Star Trek was so on point sometimes.
Cause damn Star Trek was so on point sometimes.
Happy belated birthday!! 
I hope you had a lovely day!
I completely agree and second #13.
Barbie has honestly grown into this really incredible role model. Her YouTube channel is full of so many inspiring and honest videos,
I hope you had a lovely day!I completely agree and second #13.
Barbie has honestly grown into this really incredible role model. Her YouTube channel is full of so many inspiring and honest videos,
like this one about the word 'sorry'.
The messages are good but am I the only one a bit weirded out by the CGI? It's just in uncanny valley for me.
Man, I can hardly remember 24. I remember getting a job after a summer of unemployment, and that I would work at that same company for a quarter century.
Quite a good list. I get the garlic peeling, but I got this silicone tube thingy with my Alpha One garlic press that makes quick work of garlic cloves.
Number eleven was my dad's mantra. He always had something stowed away, and I picked that up from him. I get a bit nervous when the finances start to get low and the side fund is getting hit too much.
Anyway, enjoy 24! I think I did. I had a 3 year old son and a rocky marriage, and decisions and things could have gone differently, but it was what it was, and all is well with the world.
Quite a good list. I get the garlic peeling, but I got this silicone tube thingy with my Alpha One garlic press that makes quick work of garlic cloves.
Number eleven was my dad's mantra. He always had something stowed away, and I picked that up from him. I get a bit nervous when the finances start to get low and the side fund is getting hit too much.
Anyway, enjoy 24! I think I did. I had a 3 year old son and a rocky marriage, and decisions and things could have gone differently, but it was what it was, and all is well with the world.
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