He said that at that stage, you're young enough to still have youth on your side, but old enough to have saved some money (assuming you got a job right after college and stayed employed, of course).
I'm finally understanding what he meant.
---
On my first year as an employed person, I was still figuring out the work environment and the general American culture. I was still getting used to waking up every morning and going to the same place and seeing the same people for 8 hours. I was basically just internalizing what life would be like after graduation and after moving yet again to another country.
I barely travelled that year; I was still thrilled at the concept of earning a salary and knowing that everything I buy was from my own money and not an allowance from my parents or from a scholarship. I bought a car for commuting, got to know some people and familiarized myself with the area around work and where I live.
There were definitely some necessary adjustments here and there, and I was still discovering the intricacies of the "working life" (as opposed to the "student life"). I still have not made a lot of friends then, so I didn't really go out much.
---
The second year was a little different -- I travelled a little bit more. I went to a couple of different states around the Christmas holidays as I have already saved some vacation days (and a little money). I was able to see some of my relatives in another state and spent the New Year with them.
As for "working life", I was starting to get the hang of it and I was learning to deal with personal and professional "break-ups". As with all things relating to friendships and relationships, I took them really hard. I remember a friend telling me that the next "break-ups" in my life will be just as hard, but that I will be more skilled in dealing with it because of that experience.
Socially, I was able to get to know some of my co-workers more. I grew closer to some of them. Some of them love to snowboard. After promising a couple of them that I would go on at least three snowboard trips before I make up my mind about it, I was hooked! I also discovered how much I love Japanese food and how much I liked trying out new restaurants. I rediscovered my love for the awesome combo of heavily buttered popcorn and summer blockbuster movies.
At the end of my second year (well, it was technically the start of my third year), I finally flew back to the Philippines to spend Christmas with the rest of my family. It was VERY expensive, but it was worth it. I think I'm pretty good at saving some money, so flying home was a good reward of sorts. I was also able to see some of my high school and college friends!!! I also attended a wedding of a co-worker who has become a very good friend. I had a really good time, even if my vacation lasted for only about two weeks =)
---
I'm now on the third year of my working life. Needless to say, I feel very fortunate to have a job, especially when the economy is not doing so well. I am also glad that I have saved enough vacation days to go on a couple of short trips.
I went to L.A. with a couple of "tennis buddies" (even if I don't really play tennis, hehehe) and got to see some tennis stars and my biggest celebrity crush! (He has not been doing as well lately, which makes me sad, but that's another story.) I was also able to catch up with some friends and classmates from grade school! We had REALLY good ramen and I was able to snowboard in South CA too! I was also able to meet up with my cousin, who showed me around the area.
A couple of weeks ago, I also went on another snowboard trip to Mammoth Mountain! It was SO MUCH FUN! My legs gave out later that day, but I kept snowboarding even when I kept falling like a rag doll since I couldn't really bend my legs anymore. I was with good company, so that just made the trip more memorable. I also learned a new Japanese card game, hehehe...
---
I'm not saying everything is great all the time. For instance, a couple of months ago, I got pulled over by a cop for a "California stop" on a stop sign. I was having a really bad day that time so I actually teared up while I was talking to him. I completed my traffic ticket requirements though, so that's over and done with. =)
I had my wisdom teeth removed too. I was really dreading it, but it wasn't so bad. I was prescribed some Vicodin for the pain, so it was interesting to be able to somehow relate to Dr. House, hehehe...
---
I was thinking of taking some classes this year, but it seems like my schedule right now is not permitting it. I might be just lazy, but I'll think about it again one of these days. I finally tried taking some yoga classes and I tried wall-climbing for the first time a couple of days ago. I really liked it, so I hope I get to do it again.
I'm thinking of visiting a couple of my college friends in the East Coast in a few months. It would be nice to see them again after 2 years! I will probably start making plans later next month, just to check which days are most convenient for everyone involved so that we can coordinate our schedules somehow.
Materialistically (is that a word?) speaking, I'm still debating whether I should get a new laptop and a new digicam. I haven't been saving as much as I wanted to (mainly due to the wisdom teeth extraction and the trips I just took recently), so maybe I'll put that on hold for now.
I can't complain much about my job either. First of all, I'm employed, which counts for a lot. Second, I get along well with my co-workers. Third, I've been lucky enough to feel challenged with my tasks from time to time.
As for my social life, well, most of my friends are still my co-workers. I hope I get to meet some new friends while I check out a couple of activities, but let's cross the bridge when we get there.
---
So yeah, those were last 2 1/3 years of my life in a nutshell... I was originally planning to just post some updates on my L.A. and Mammoth Mountain trip, but I realized how thankful I am about how my life is going right now, so might as well write about those things. Count your blessings, ikanga.
My New Year's resolution for 2009 was to STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR MYSELF, so I've been trying to tell myself that if I want to try something, JUST DO IT and stop overthinking. This is the perfect time to do that because I think I still have time on my side and I have been working long enough to have saved some money and be able to afford the things that I want to do (and buy). I'm still trying to save more money of course, so I'm still trying to be reasonable about my spending habits. I have to admit, it's really nice to be experiencing the things that I've been saving my money for (i.e. snowboarding, travelling, eating good food, seeing Roger Federer in the flesh, etc.).
I'm still 24 and will be turning 25 in a few months. I guess my friend was right, the mid-20s *is* a pretty good stage in your life.
---
We usually dwell on the negative side of things, so I thought I should write about something that focuses on the positive.
So yeah, the pursuit of happiness... it's still ongoing, but it's good to know that it looks like I'm on the right track =)
I'm now on the third year of my working life. Needless to say, I feel very fortunate to have a job, especially when the economy is not doing so well. I am also glad that I have saved enough vacation days to go on a couple of short trips.
I went to L.A. with a couple of "tennis buddies" (even if I don't really play tennis, hehehe) and got to see some tennis stars and my biggest celebrity crush! (He has not been doing as well lately, which makes me sad, but that's another story.) I was also able to catch up with some friends and classmates from grade school! We had REALLY good ramen and I was able to snowboard in South CA too! I was also able to meet up with my cousin, who showed me around the area.
A couple of weeks ago, I also went on another snowboard trip to Mammoth Mountain! It was SO MUCH FUN! My legs gave out later that day, but I kept snowboarding even when I kept falling like a rag doll since I couldn't really bend my legs anymore. I was with good company, so that just made the trip more memorable. I also learned a new Japanese card game, hehehe...
---I'm not saying everything is great all the time. For instance, a couple of months ago, I got pulled over by a cop for a "California stop" on a stop sign. I was having a really bad day that time so I actually teared up while I was talking to him. I completed my traffic ticket requirements though, so that's over and done with. =)
I had my wisdom teeth removed too. I was really dreading it, but it wasn't so bad. I was prescribed some Vicodin for the pain, so it was interesting to be able to somehow relate to Dr. House, hehehe...
---
I was thinking of taking some classes this year, but it seems like my schedule right now is not permitting it. I might be just lazy, but I'll think about it again one of these days. I finally tried taking some yoga classes and I tried wall-climbing for the first time a couple of days ago. I really liked it, so I hope I get to do it again.
I'm thinking of visiting a couple of my college friends in the East Coast in a few months. It would be nice to see them again after 2 years! I will probably start making plans later next month, just to check which days are most convenient for everyone involved so that we can coordinate our schedules somehow.
Materialistically (is that a word?) speaking, I'm still debating whether I should get a new laptop and a new digicam. I haven't been saving as much as I wanted to (mainly due to the wisdom teeth extraction and the trips I just took recently), so maybe I'll put that on hold for now.
I can't complain much about my job either. First of all, I'm employed, which counts for a lot. Second, I get along well with my co-workers. Third, I've been lucky enough to feel challenged with my tasks from time to time.
As for my social life, well, most of my friends are still my co-workers. I hope I get to meet some new friends while I check out a couple of activities, but let's cross the bridge when we get there.
---
So yeah, those were last 2 1/3 years of my life in a nutshell... I was originally planning to just post some updates on my L.A. and Mammoth Mountain trip, but I realized how thankful I am about how my life is going right now, so might as well write about those things. Count your blessings, ikanga.
My New Year's resolution for 2009 was to STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR MYSELF, so I've been trying to tell myself that if I want to try something, JUST DO IT and stop overthinking. This is the perfect time to do that because I think I still have time on my side and I have been working long enough to have saved some money and be able to afford the things that I want to do (and buy). I'm still trying to save more money of course, so I'm still trying to be reasonable about my spending habits. I have to admit, it's really nice to be experiencing the things that I've been saving my money for (i.e. snowboarding, travelling, eating good food, seeing Roger Federer in the flesh, etc.).
I'm still 24 and will be turning 25 in a few months. I guess my friend was right, the mid-20s *is* a pretty good stage in your life.
---We usually dwell on the negative side of things, so I thought I should write about something that focuses on the positive.
So yeah, the pursuit of happiness... it's still ongoing, but it's good to know that it looks like I'm on the right track =)
