24 things for my 24th
Well, here it is, my 24th birthday. Was I excited about turning one year older? Yes, very much so. I celebrate my birthday like a national holiday- no school, no work (if I can swing it), wonderful food and, of course, CAKE. Cake, the dessert that ties the world together.So, in celebration of my 24th birthday, I am going to compose a list of 24 things I have learned in 24 years.
1.)If Mom says that it's hot, it's hot. How many of us have scars from touching a hot stove, iron, oven, etc.? Curiosity can be your best friend and worst nightmare leaving permanent scars and many tears in its wake. But Mothers,Moms, Momma, and Mommies really do know best so always listen to your mother, not matter how old you are, she only wants to best for you.
2.) Don't stick you paci in bird bath. Yes, I did this a the ripe old age of 1 and it was, luckily, caught on film perserve it for years to come. It was probably the grossest thing I have ever done and I probably have some strange strand of bird flu running through me like a ticking time bomb.
3.) Don't kiss two boys in one day. You will get caught by your kindergarten teacher and told on to your mother.
4.)Grape medicine does not taste anything like grape. Cherry medicine does not taste anythign like cherry. But, surprisingly, liquid amoxicillin taste like bubble gum.
5.) Enjoy your grandparents to the fullest while you have them. Unfortunatley, one of my Grandfather's was taken by a freak accident when I was 10 years old and he never got to see the woman I have become, though I hope that I would have made him proud. Two years ago, my grandmother was taken suddenly by sickness. Even on her death bed, though I didn't know if she could hear me or not, but because I never got to tell my PawPaw, I told her everything I never said- how much she meant to me, how much she shaped me into the woman I am and, most of all, how much I love and respected her. Now, I live so that I might one day see them again.
6.) Smile often, you worst day would be many other's best day.
7.) If you beg your parents long enough for a sister, you will evetually get one. Well, at least it worked on my parents. At the age of 16 (though I had been begging since the age of 6- my baby brother wasn't cutting it) my parent's offically adopted my little sister from China. I couldn't imagine my life not with out this little spark of joy and craziness.
8.) Make time for alone time with yourself. Now, don't get me wrong, I love talking to and being around people, but some of my favortie nights involved me going to Starbucks in my home town with my computer in tow and spending hours sipping on coffee and spending alone time. It's important to make time for yourself- it keeps you sane.
9.) Despite the fact that they are, most of the time, impractical and illogical, continue believing in fairy tales. Yes, I am well aware fairy tales are the product of the Grimm brother's vivid imaginations or John Hughes creative writing. But they do supply us with a healthy dose of hope that many of us, me especially, need. If this were a John Hughes movie, my greatest would have come true today. I would have arrived home to find the love of my life leaning casually against his car while a Thompson Twins ballad played in the background. Did that happen? Of course not. But that little inkling of hope that it might left a smile on my face.
10.) Read. Reading is the gateway to the world. I started reading for fun at the age of 13 and I haven't stopped yet.
11.) Set realistic goals...but not just realistic goals. What are my goals: To graduate undergrad-finally-, grad school, get married , have kids, and work as a PA. What are my unrealistic goal(s): to be a published writer. Yes, my grammar is horrible and my spelling atrocious- but I have always wanted to be publish ever since I started making up stories in my head at the age of 5,(Little fun fact- the stories always involved a horse named Rose) and maybe one day I will me.
12.) You reap what you sow- so don't give half of the effort.
13.)Posting vague and sappy lyrics on your Facebook is stupid way to try to get some poor guys attention. I am guilty of doing this, many, many times in fact. Did it work? Of course not because then I would be married and expecting my first child by now. Will I do it again? Probably- but this time I'll do it on twitter.
14.) "If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." Oh Sirius, why did you have to fall through the veil. (Spoiler alert if you haven't read or seen the 5th Harry Potter book/movie) But Sirius is right. Kindness against other should not be determined by their status in life, whether it be financial, physical and mental. The Golden rule says to do to other what you want others to do to you. No, that does not mean that you have agree with their viewpoint or life style, but you must treat them with the respect they deserve as a fellow human being. Now, because you disagree with their lifestyle or view point, they may act harsh and mean towards you- just turn the other cheek.
15.) Don't accidentally open your mouth while kissing your boyfriend unless you are mentally prepared for what follows.
16.) Be unique. If everyone was the same, the world would be boring.
17.) Never be ashamed of you strangest likes. Years ago, I didn't want anyone to know that I like Harry Potter to an extent that was probably borderline psychotic and that I read (and wrote) fan-fiction. Now, who cares? I still love Harry Potter and have added many more loves to that list and some of theme are a lot nerdier and geekier that good ole HP.
18.) Cherish the time you spend with you family. I used to hate sitting down with my family to eat dinner some nights, I could have been reading or watching sometime instead of having "family time". Now that we are older, it's a rare thing for us to all come together for a meal without it being a major holiday. That is why I have come to cherish our family vacations each year. It's more that just going to Disney- it's spending time with (most of) my family without any interruptions or distractions.
19.) Really clean glass doors look nearly invisible. Therefore, always pay attention when walking into a strange house and check for a second door before you walk straight into it. Just saying.
20.) Play pranks. Now, I'm not encouraging vandalism or other misdemeanors, but go post it note a car or roll a house. Some of my best nights in high school involved me and my girlfriends driving over to our favorite guys' houses and plastic wrapping and post-it noting their cars. (Editor's Note: From my personal experience, I do not recommend doing this in freezing rain.) As long as the pranks are harmless and easy to clean up, some of the best ways to show people how much you love them is by girling out their car.
21.) Always stand for the right, no matter how many are against you. Now, I know that you are probably thinking "Duh, Catherine, everyone knows that." But . have you ever had to do it? Have you ever lost a friendship because they wanted to do someone that you knew wasn't right? I have and it's hard to stand in the light while the darkness creeps around you. Stand strong and steadfast in your faith and remember, it's okay if you offend someone- that means that you have morals.
22.) British guys are hot. I don't know if its that accent or just their adorable little faces, but they are just hot.
23.) "Men, babies, it doesn't matter. We're soulmates." This famous quote from Sex and the City has meant a lot to me since I heard it for the first time a few years ago. My friends are my soulmates. I am luckily that I have 5 wonderful girlfriends that I can could on for anything- and I actually got to see them all today. Distance may separate us, but I know that if I am having a bad day, they are just a phone call away with an encouraging word or joke to ease my troubled mind. One day, I may find my male soulmate and, fingers crossed, their will be babies. But, until them, I'm happy with the soulmates that I have.
24.) Cheesy as it sounds, love conquers all. Tonight, I watched my favorite Disney movie of all time: Sleeping Beauty. And when Prince Phillip leaned into kiss his sleeping princess, a tear welled up in my eye. No, this won't happen in real life- or coma wards would be full of people trying to wake up their love ones with a kiss. But, love can break the spell of hate and discord. Love has been here since the very beginning and will be here till the very end. Love is what we all strive for in our lives. Leonardo da Vinci said that a "life without love, is no life at all." Yes, that is true, but I think I prefer what Paul wrote about love.
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing---
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.." 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3, 8
I hope you have enjoyed my list of the 24 things I have learned by the age of 24. I hope it made you laugh and inspired you in some way- as long as it doesn't inspire you to do anything too crazy.
I look forward to my new year and all it would bring.
Love,
Catherine
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