I’ve done a lot of thinking as I embark on turning 25. When I
was 15, I thought I knew exactly what I would be doing as I turned 25. I had it
all figured out. It is interesting to look back and see that many things are so
different than how I thought they would be. Things have changed, evolved, and
turned into a life I had never really imagined. This is another list of 25
things…so get ready!
1.
The obvious- I really thought I’d be married by
now. When you are 15, you think graduating college and marriage happen at the
same time. Luckily, that isn’t how it went down for JAS. Boy, am I thankful!
2.
When I was 15, I thought I was going to be an
embryologist or attorney. As you know, I am neither. I did graduate with my BS
and my MS and have plans to attain a PhD, but I am not on my way to having my
hand stuck up a cow’s rear or fighting divorce cases every day. I like people
and like helping others, but nursing or med school weren’t in my cards. Working
at TAMU allows me to combine agriculture and people- two of my biggest
passions.
3.
I thought I’d have at least 1 child by now. I
mean, come on, you get married at 21 or 22 and in 3 years you ought to have popped
out a couple of kids. Nope- not for JAS. I barely take care of myself. I had a
dog for a brief stint…but he now resides at BSJ. No kids for me until I am 30!
4.
I thought I’d be driving a sports car. I know
that is really random. Not sure where those kids I thought I was going to have
would fit, but I just knew I’d be driving a red sports car.
5.
I also thought I’d be living closer to my
parents. Wrong. Love B&J, but Aggieland is where my heart is for now.
6.
I never thought my group of best friends would grow and change…more
than once! I have one constant best friend from when I was 15. My inner circle continues
to grow and build based on folks I have met at stock shows, in college and
after.
7.
I thought I would hate stock shows by now. I
never thought I would keep going back to the same nasty barns every year. It is
the people that keep drawing me back. Can’t get enough of my stock show family.
8.
I never thought I’d be a runner. A swimmer- yes.
A golfer- maybe. A tennis player- possibly. A runner- heck no. That is one of
the positive differences!
9.
For those of you who knew me before- I never
thought I’d love broccoli. I always thought I’d be a meat and potatoes kind of
gal. Well- 60 lbs later- I had to find something besides potatoes to eat!
10.
In addition to broccoli, I never thought I’d
like to cook. I also never thought decorations and domestic things would make my heart beat fast! Hmm…how things change.
11.
I thought I would own a home by now. Yes, I was
a homeowner once when I lived in Oklahoma. I got over that real quick. There is
no handyman to call when you’re a single chick owning your own home and anyone who knows me knows I have problems with the easiest things...even smoke detectors. Apartment
life is where it is at until I have my own built in handyman!
12.
I never thought I would consider my parents
smart. Geez, was I wrong. Boy, were they right!
13.
I never thought I would appreciate my work
friends SO much. My mom didn’t work out of the home when I was younger, so I
never heard any fun work stories growing up. Boy, do I have some great stories
from 515 to share with my unborn children that I won’t have until I’m 30.
14.
I never thought simple things would make me so
dang happy. Hand written notes and cards, a kind word, a good belly laugh,
someone remembering my favorite food, or an afternoon looking at cows…those are
a few of my favorite things. They’re pretty simple and don’t cost a dime for
the most part.
15.
When I was 15, I thought I would surely get over
loving my birthday by the time I was 25. That, however, hasn’t changed. I love
my birthday and the birthdays of others!
16.
I never thought I’d still be living in a college
town. Aren’t you supposed to graduate and move away??
17.
I thought people would live forever. When you’re
15, you don’t think about people you love not being around 10 years later.
18.
I really thought I’d probably be making a lot
more money by now. For some reason when you are 15, you think a college degree =
a large paycheck. Well, that isn’t the case.
19. That being said, I never thought I would love my job as much as I
do. Even though I’m not an attorney or an embryologist, I love what I do!
Encouraging young people to pursue their dreams is more rewarding than any
paycheck!
20.
I never thought I’d be such a free spirit- going
where the wind blew. As a teenager, a change in plans made me cringe. I had a
teacher tell me one time that if I didn’t learn to chill out I would have a
stomach ulcer by the time I was 20.
21.
I also never thought I’d have the diverse group
of friends I have. I have friends of all kinds and without my interaction with them;
I would not be half the person I am. They help keep my eyes open and keep me
accountable.
22.
At 15, I thought life was a lot about winning
and not about the experience. Although I am highly competitive, I am learning
that winning doesn’t always mean a purple ribbon. Sometimes winning means you
learned something. Mama always asks me “Well, did ya learn anything?” when I
have a life changing experience.
23.
Speaking of mama, at 15 I never thought I would sound
so much like her or act like her. Sometimes I open my mouth and I swear she
comes out!
24.
At 15, I never thought people I met at a livestock
show would end up being my mentors or personal “board of directors.” I sure am
thankful for those black cows and show rings.
25.
Finally, at 15, I never would imagine life like
it is today. The journey has been fun and from what I can tell, it is just
getting started.
I am excited about turning 25 in a little over a week. I
love birthdays and although this one is going to be different than I originally
planned and I am not doing exactly what I thought I’d be doing at 25, I sure am
lucky to be living this little thing called life!
