When Did THIS Happen?

I know it's common once you graduate college to look back and think "Wow, I'm a grown up now." There are the hard-to-miss signs...bills, rent, insurance...and, of course, the smack-you-in-the-face obvious indicator: a job you have to go to every day, even in the summer!

Once I graduated, my checking account became my lifeline. It was no longer an "Oh- Boy-I-Hope-There-Is-Money-In-There-So-I-Can-Go-To-The-Movies" kind of thing. Necessities seem to cost actual money and that money is not so easy to come by. While I tried to be frugal with whatever money I'd earned from summer jobs, babysitting, etc, in the back of my mind I kind of always thought, "My parents won't let me go hungry, right?"

I think they might.
I am a grown up now. I must take care of myself. I have to make tough choices.

Rent or cable? (Rent)

Allergy meds or chai lattes at Starbucks? (the drugs)

Groceries or an Entertainment Weekly subscription? (EW subscription, duh.)

But, now that I'm a few years out of college, it isn't the obvious adulthood transitions that have alerted me to my new "grown-up" status. Though I didn't want to, I saw those coming. My bank account didn't, but I did.

No, I have now started to see new signs that I no longer belong at the kids' table. And, because this is my blog, I'd like to share a few:

Farmers' Markets

I freakin' love some Farmers' Markets. (My liberal use of "freakin'" helps keep me young). I never understood why my mom would want to get up early on a Saturday to buy the same type of stuff you could buy at Harris Teeter. I get it now. You can't buy that home-grown organic goodness anywhere else. I look forward to Saturday mornings. I make sure I have cash, I bring my own bags, and I buy grown up food like fruits and veggies. (I may sample the cookies too.) Where else can you have a 10 minute conversation with a local farmer about the many uses of kale?

Kale

Who besides a "grown-up" would give a rip about kale nonetheless have a conversation with a farmer about it?

Alcohol

I'm a "grown up" because I can no longer stomach the taste of Milwaukee's Best. Cannot and will not do it. Refuse to do it. Along that same line, the thought of Andre champagne makes me cringe.

"Running Errands"

I use this term a lot, like a soccer mom with a to-do list. Before, even after college, my "errands" were to stop by the mall, go get my haircut, buy some groceries (unless, of course, I opted for magazine subscriptions that week), etc. But, I would never call them "errands." I would call them "Going to Target" or "Getting my hair did." (ok, the "hair did" one still applies). Now, like a "grown-up," I "run errands" and call it that...to other people. "Sorry, I can't meet for lunch tomorrow, I have soooo many errands to run."

Categorical Ages

I am part of the minority that loves to take online surveys. Recently, I was bumped. I'm no longer in an 18 - 24 yr old survey questionnaire bracket. I had to select a different button (or lie about my age which, at 25, would be pretty lame).

In case you are curious, the survey was about my opinions on environmental policy...but don't be too impressed, in the same week I also took a survey on my most recent "Gap" shopping experience...20% off coupon..what then?!

It didn't take long for me to jump age categories. I'm no longer early twenties. I'm right smack in the middle of my twenties. Before I know it I'll be checking 65+...they don't even care after that point! All you get is a plus sign. It's almost like they're saying "Congrats for making it past 65 and still knowing how to use a computer."

The DMV

OH SWEET LORD, THE DMV. I recently had the privilege of visiting the DMV 4 times in a two week span. Nothing will make you aware of the passage of time like the DMV. I am pretty sure I lost about 2 years off my life in that place. I had to have all my own important "grown up" paperwork and hold my own against the masses. It was scary, but I made it through.


Bedtime?

I'd say going to bed early but, let's face it, I've always done that. If I'm not out or on my way out by 9:30pm, guess what? I'm not coming.

The list could go on and on. Perhaps these aren't important to you. To me, they are signs. They are the moments when I say, "Did I really just get excited over buying new sheets?" "Did I really just cut out all those coupons AND ask the cashier to confirm that they were doubled?"

I could write about the common "grown up" milestones and wonderful experiences like celebrating weddings with friends, gaining independence, etc. but that would be the insightful, mature thing to do and, well, right now I want to go write a catty blog post about So You Think You Can Dance results. I don't think I'm fully a "grown up" yet.