Gratitude of the day: Not being a teenager anymore

Sometimes when I’m down I feel compelled to make a list of all the things I’m grateful for. The list is usually quite serious and introspective — filled with thing like “my family” and “having a safe home”. But today I would like to express my gratitude for something far simpler — not being a teenager anymore.
All it took was a gaggle of adolescents getting on the subway next to me to make me realize how grateful I am to be done with that part of my life. Normally when I see a group of teenagers yelling across a streetcar or smoking on the corner of school grounds I roll my eyes and struggle to suppress my irritation. But something about this particular lead me to a revelation of how happy I am not to be in that age bracket anymore. Clawing for attention, desperate to understand who they are, wishing they felt they fit in, questioning each and every decision they make because the whole notion of “just be yourself” makes absolutely no logical sense, feeling they have to buy this electronic or that purse because they can’t possibly be cool without it, pushing to get in a comment so they can establish they have a place in the crazy world that is high school. Man. Did that ever suck!
Lately magazines are filled with celebrities saying they feel better than ever at 30, at 40, at 50 — whatever age it is — my gosh, it has to be better than 13 through 18. You couldn’t pay me to relive that ridiculous insecurity and self doubt. I’m not saying I radiate self love and confidence every second of the day, but I certainly feel a whole lot better about myself than I did five years ago and that is something to be truly grateful for.

Free Stuff!

Because I can’t stop smiling from the amazing day I’ve had, I feel the need to share my experiences in this happy place. The amazingness all boils down to a simple joy in life – free stuff. Whether it’s that buy one get one free deal at your favorite store or that little lip gloss sample that comes in the mail – free things make the average day incredible. And today was definitely incredible.

A few weeks ago I got my roommate and I tickets to a local daytime talk show and today was the big day. The tickets didn’t cost a penny and the show was an absolute blast. On top of which we were given a loot-bag of health products and a 100$ gift card to Mendocino.

Right after the show we headed over to the store to see what we could get and found leather jackets that were regularly 80$ on sale for 50$. And we had free money in our pockets! So naturally, we bought matching coats and I still have half my gift card left to go!

It was such a liberating experience because I think buying that jacket was the most impulsive thing I’ve done in months. I’ve been meaning to buy a leather jacket for years but always hum and haw for what seems like hours and then end up chickening out. I never would have bought it if I hadn’t had that gift card in my pocket and I’m sure I would have wound up regretting it. But thanks to the show (and to my roommate’s helpful encouragements), I took the plunge and got the coat. And I couldn’t be happier!

Sometimes you really do have to treat yourself – and if that treat happens to be a free one – I’m all for it!

Airplane food

Now I know this might sound very unusual to a lot of people but I just have to say it…I LOVE airplane food. I constantly hear people complain about how gross it is and maybe “technically” tinfoil covered, pre-made food isn’t considered sheer decadence but I can’t deny that airplane food brings me a great deal of joy.
Just picture it: the stewardess comes shuffling down the aisle calling out a refrain of “chicken or pasta”? When she gets to you, you make your selection and are handed a tray of carefully engineered goodies. There’s a main course, a salad, a nice roll of bread and even a brownie or piece of cake for dessert. You get to snack away while enjoying the in flight movie and not worry about a thing because it’s vacation time!
Maybe it’s just that I’m in a really excited state of mind at the prospect of travel while I’m eating it. Or maybe I’m just really easy to please. Either way – I eagerly anticipate my next in flight meal. Even though I know my next airliner feast is far away because they only provide food on flights that are over 5 hours – I’m ready for it. It cannot come soon enough!