Pants are Overrated

Growing up is overrated... and so are pants... Just say 'No' to both.

A few days ago I became a college grad. My family was there, I got to walk with one of my best friends (Melissa Mae), and we had a fun family dinner afterward. It was a great day, but the thing is, it hasn't actually sunk in.

I'm sure part of it is due to the rush. Finals week, the usual underlying boy drama (I really should address this at a later date), and moving out all on top of the pressure associated with my big impending decision, but still... it's been a few days now and it hasn't hit.

I don't feel any different.

It reminds me of when I turned 21 and everyone asked how it felt to be an adult (Apparently being able to legally get wasted means that you're all grown up). But now, just as I did then when I found myself reaching a new right of passage, I find myself feeling irritatingly... the same.

It made me wonder...
If 21 means I'm an adult, what does graduating mean?

Am I now a 'real' adult?

Does that mean I have to trade in MTV for CNN?



Or my party dresses for skirt-suits?



Will I forevermore be addressed as... gulp... Ma'am?

Am I now too old for juvenile pranks, onesie pajamas, and, say it isn't so, Harry Potter?

And then I realized... No. I am not.

I've talked a lot recently about 'growing up' and figuring out who I am, but I'd like to negate the 'up' part. Before you start making Neverland and Michael Jackson related conclusions, let me explain...

As my Laura (yes, my Laura) put it, "Grown up is a state of mind." A state of mind that to me at least, implies a level of maturity and an end of growth that I hope never to reach. One in fact, that I will fight against, because while I recognize my tastes will change and likely mature, I'll still always be this same little girl.

So my friends, you want to know how it feels to be graduated?

It feels good. Thanks to all of you that came to my ceremony and to the rest of you for all of the congratulations... You know I love you.

Here's to the class of 2010.