"Young" Adult

Happy fall, dear friends! Hope this finds you well, as usual.

Thank you to those of you who called to sing “Happy Birthday,” wrote on my Facebook wall, sent a text or card, and/or helped me celebrate last week! I spent my birthday weekend with some of my very, very favorite people, and felt so blessed and loved to receive so many well-wishes, thoughtful gifts, and kind words on my special day!

Amidst the (embarrassing amount of) cat cards I received in the mail last week was a letter from the YMCA. After thanking me for my membership, it stated that according to their records, I am “no longer eligible for a Young Adult membership” (people ages 19-25), and therefore, my “membership will be converted to an Adult membership” ($10/month more than I was paying as a “Young Adult”).

Was it wrong for me to be slightly offended/disappointed/saddened that they didn’t at least wish me a happy birthday in this letter?! I know it wouldn’t change the fact that I’ll be paying more for my membership, but couldn’t they at least have softened the blow by saying, “Hey – we noticed you turned a year older…happy birthday! By the way, this means you’re an adult, now, so we’re increasing your monthly fee.”

I don’t know if they think adults use (or need to use) the gym more than young adults, or if they simply assume individuals magically make more money once they turn 26 and apparently enter adulthood. Which brings me to the question: When does adulthood begin?

Is it when you can vote?

When you can rent a car without the unnecessary amount of extra fees?

When you get married? Have children?

When you reach your ultimate career goal(s)?

When you can eat certain foods without gagging?

When you can no longer be claimed as a dependent on anyone’s tax returns?

When you can change your own flat tire?

When you no longer find “childish” things funny or appealing?


As of this month, I’m officially on my own, as far as health/car/life insurance goes…except for my phone bill – I’m still on our “family plan.” At least the cell phone companies understand – family is family, no matter how old you are…good to know some things never change.

Back to the topic at hand, though: What does “young adult” even mean? I mean, I know it’s the stage of life after being a teenager…but why does the “adult” phase come so quickly after the “young adult” one? I think a “young” adult should stay “young” as long as a child stays a child…let’s say 12-ish years. So, by that calculation, adulthood shouldn’t set in till age 30, right? Who knows…

Please know I’m mostly being facetious about most of this. In all seriousness, though, it feels kind-of weird to be considered a “real” adult…to be completely self-sufficient and to only really have to worry about myself when making decisions and/or life changes. (Charlie’s pretty good about going with the flow.)

What I know for sure is this:
I am loving this season of life and am trying my best to not take any part of it for granted. I love being able to stay out later than planned (after not planning to go out, in the first place), being able to keep such an abnormal work schedule and continue doing what I feel called to do, and being able to be available to help/encourage/spend time with others at any time of day or night. I love not planning meals, being the only one on my budget, and sleeping with more covers than the average person. I love days with no obligations and endless possibilities, nights spent with my closest girlfriends (eating food-that-shall-remain-nameless, painting our nails, and watching chick flicks), and the hopeful anticipation I have for meeting my future husband. Most importantly, I love being able to continuously realize and increasingly understand how fully and completely I am loved by the Lord – He never ceases to remind me that He is all I need – everything else is just frosting. ☺

To quote a dear friend (and Emily Dickinson), I am “dwelling in the possibility” of whatever adulthood will bring, but in the meantime, I’m living in the beautiful reality of what it has already brought.

♥,

Kensy

Favorites of the day:

free birthday items

pending trip to the apple orchard
dark chocolate M&M's and popcorn (fresh from the microwave, of course, so the M&M's get melty)

Thankful for...and Out of the Mouths of Babes: Part 3

Hello!  


I'm not going to take time to greet you further than that, because you're going to need all the time you can get to read this post!  Enjoy!  : )


First of all, I finally took a Zumba class this morning...and loved it!  Guided dancing targeting heart rate and all muscle groups for 50 minutes to awesome music?  Yes, please!  If only it were offered more often...and at more convenient times!  Oh well - I'll take what I can get!


Secondly, I've been meaning to share this with you for quite some time:
After hearing a pastor talk about writing things he's thankful for in a very visible in his home each day, my roommate and I decided we'd like to do the same.  So, with some butcher paper, markers, glitter glue, and an ugly, scratched painting with a beautiful frame on clearance at Bed, Bath and Beyond (with a coupon, too, thank you!), we created this:

The marker box is affixed with a 3M strip, so residents and guests can add their blessings whenever they'd like!

Another thing: toward the end of my longest night of teaching last night, a 5-yr.-old student brought something she'd made for me:

Want to make my day?
Just bring me a tiara you made for me to wear.  : )

Finally, I've had some gems of quotes so far this week - enjoy:


As we turned to his new piece to learn and I read the title, "Morning Has Broken, " a 12-yr.-old student remarked, "Better get the glue!"  Definitely made me laugh out loud...which was his intent!


I gave farm animal stickers one day this week, and as an 8-yr.-old girl student was deciding which horse to pick, she said, "My favorite horse color is brown...that's my favorite hair color, too, because I like Selena Gomez...I wish my hair was brown (she's a natural platinum blonde)...and I'm growing my hair out to be like hers, but I don't think I'll ever be like her - my hair isn't curly enough...and I wish my name was Selena, but I don't want my last name to be Gomez, so we're not twins twins."  My response, "(pause to take it all in) I think you have beautiful hair and such a pretty name!  Let's get back to playing piano, now."  : )


The same girl was mentioning, for some reason, that her mom works downtown.  She then shared this thought, "I love downtown!  The only thing I don't like about it is people living on the streets in the cold, cold weather.  I just feel bad!  If I wanted to live on the streets, I'd choose someplace warm...like Florida."


AND as great as those all were, this one might take the cake:
I was playing Barbies with the kids I nanny for, and the 2-yr.-old shared that her Barbie was going to have a baby.  The 4-yr.-old boy said to that Barbie, "You huff and you puff and you blow that baby out of your tummy - like the big bad wolf did to those houses!"  What?!  No, we didn't subsequently have the "birds and the bees" convo - I just laughed as he proceeded to ask for his Barbie's pants to be changed to a skirt, because "she likes fashion."


See why I love my life?


Blessings,
Kensy


P.S. Kitty litter update: It's not working out.  Getting a covered litter box and going back to the clumping, chemically stuff.  Oh well.  Here's a recent picture of Charlie.  : )

Favorites of the day:

smoothies

music

the "not a fan" journal/study

Majestic is an understatement

Holy cow - who knew summer could be so crazy busy?!  I shouldn't complain, because I love everything I'm doing...it's just made for such an unpredictable and hectic schedule.


I'm going to take this opportunity to apologize one last time for the lapses of time that keep wedging themselves between my posts.  I've accepted the fact that this is the norm, now, so anything more frequent will just be a happy bonus.  : )


This post is dedicated to my recent vacation to Estes Park, CO with family and friends.  My church in Topeka reserves a block of rooms at the YMCA camp every three years, and we always went on the trip when I was growing up.  We didn't go the last time the group went, but were able to take the opportunity this time, AND my aunt, uncle, and cousins were able to join us, as well as my best friend from home and her parents!!!  Not only am I thankful for the ability to take the time off and spend it in the beautiful (and cool!) Colorado, but I'm also so thankful for the quality time we were all able to spend together.


Highlights of the trip:
-hiking (2 days and 12-ish miles worth)
-whitewater rafting!!!
-hours and hours of cards and games
-strolling through downtown Estes
-visiting a former music/piano teacher!
-the mid-70 degree weather  : )
-"catching up"


Here are a few captured moments:

Very cool tree root system.

A fork in the road - oh no!

Emerald Lake

Bear Lake

Bear Lake

The water was maybe 40 degrees...

...but the sunshine helped it to feel refreshing, most of the time.

Alberta Falls

Probably my favorite hiking destination.

You can't see the amount of snow in this picture, but that tree I'm standing next to is actually the top of a very tall tree coming out of the snowbank. 

Loch Vale

Of course, no post is complete without a Charlie-ism.  Once again, I'd like to express my gratitude to those who helped care for him while I was gone (esp. my wonderful neighbors)!!  After greeting me, telling me all about his week, and being super clingy, this was his "help Kensy check her e-mail" stance:

We all know music bags make the best pillows, right?

I hope you all are able to get in some R&R before the fall comes...even if it's just an afternoon by the pool (or in the A/C) with a good book!  


As usual, thank YOU for reading!  : )  Would love to hear from you, if you get a chance!


Fondly,
Kensy


P.S.  Happy Birthday, Dad! 

Favorites of the day:

PB & banana shakes

working for and with people I like 

the fact that I'm going to CO again in the very near future...and for a very great reason : )

Amendments, update, reflection, and congrats! : )

Amendments to a couple previous posts:

-The “best April Fool’s prank I’ve been a part of” didn’t happen this year.

-Add the following to my list of tasks at Arts Incorporated:

• counting large amounts of cash
• mixing various types of candy to put in the candy dish
• visiting area middle and high schools to speak about various performing and volunteering opportunities 

In other news, I’m loving my YMCA membership!  I’ve made use the treadmills, ellipticals (or “lip pickles,” if you’re using talk-to-text), weight machines, pool, and have taken a variety of yoga-ish classes.  The Lincoln Y has four locations, three of which are very conveniently near my many job sites, and I can use all of them!  I have one thing left to do on my new member punch card, and then I get a free t-shirt!  : )  Speaking of working out, I saw a great quote on a friend’s Facebook: “I’m not sweating.  My fat cells are just crying.”

And now for a little reflection: Nearly one year ago, I graduated from college.  I can’t believe I’ve been in “the real real world” for a year – where did the time go?!  I know it all sounds very cliché, but I truly thought things would slow down after college.  As it turns out, the passing of time only accelerated, and I hear it doesn’t slow down from here on out.  So…guess I can’t say I haven’t been warned.  I've loved what life after college has held for me thus far, and am so excited to see what the future holds - bring it on!  : )

That’s all for now.  Hope you all survived the crazy hail/rain/lightning storm! 

Enjoy the weekend,

Kensy

P.S.  Congrats to all you graduates!  : )

Favorites of the day:

rhubarb from my grandma (I made her famous Rhubarb Sauce last night…let me know if you’d like some!)

wearing skirts

the library

"It's fun to stay at the..."

Did you finish the line of the song in the title of this post?  My apologies if it's stuck in your head, now - it's definitely been stuck in mine...  As of this morning, I'm officially a member of the YMCA!  Wohoo!  I'm excited to take part in the variety of physical activities they offer.  : )


In other news, the Bible study I'm a part of is doing an awesome study called The Tangible Kingdom.  The main focus of the book this study is based on is the concept of meeting people where they're at, rather than expecting them to find their own way to the church body.  We've talked about the fact that while it's a very simple concept, it's hard to put into practice.  To put yourself in uncomfortable situations can be inconvenient, messy, and hurtful.  This is what we're called to do, though - to love others...and to follow God's leading without question.  It is important not only to remember this, but also to remember that we are not alone in our walk - God and the entire body of Christ are working alongside us.  So, step out of your box!  Call that person who's been on your mind, stop and chat with that homeless person, simply be there for that friend in need (though it doesn't really fit into your schedule).  God will show up...especially when we're not expecting Him to...be ready.


I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend and your week is off to a great start!


Hasta luego,
Kensy

Favorites of the day:

fresh asparagus from mom's garden : )

the ease of communication due to today's technology