Tomorrow I’ll turn 20, which is honestly pretty exciting – in some unexpected ways. It feels kind of weird to tell people I’m 19, married, and no, I didn’t *just* graduate high school. It’s totally cool, but there’s always that awkward moment when people are like “oh!”. I remember when I was turning 10, I was super excited to be double-digits and “a whole decade!”. Now I’m two decades, and I oddly feel similarly excited. One that I made it this far, and I have great hope for the future, and two, because 20 just sounds way better than 19. I oddly don’t expect to be quite this excited when three decades rolls around though, so I’m enjoying this while I can. In light of this, I was reminiscing the other day, about my schooling, and about life, and about things I’m happy about.
(school)
The best thing I gained from homeschooling was learning how to learn. This is a gift and something I’m thankful for. I don’t know everything, and I’m not good at everything, but the one thing that I do know how to do, is learn.
Alex and I are starting projects – separately and together, and the thing we have enjoyed is learning. Researching, looking at blogs, watching and reading whatever we can get our hands on for the subjects we’re interested in. We have a few books we want to buy and I think the key to any success is the ability to continually learn.
I’ve been reading Empty Easel and many other articles and blogs about art and painting and the art business for months, I’ve started trying to incorporate what I’ve learned to practice and I keep reading. I make notes, plans, goals and eventually I work up the nerve to put myself out there.
Together, Alex and I have been looking into cameras because we’re planning on making a short film over the summer – Alex has been following several indy film blogs, we helped fund an indy project, and we’ve been researching cameras online and reading and watching reviews on vimeo or amazon. We finally bought the Cannon T3i because it seems to be a great blend of the things we were looking for after doing all of our research, and it comes in the mail in a few days!
If we hadn’t learned the process of learning, I don’t think that we would be able to get this far. If there is one thing that is to be said for homeschooling, it’s that it enables you to learn how to learn better. Everyday is an opportunity to learn something new – everywhere you go is a field trip, and everyone you meet is someone you can potentially learn something from.
(life)
The other day we were watching Restrepo, and I realized, that in September, we will have been at war for 10 years – half of my existence. By at war, I mean, we were like “We’re going to get you!” not the day we actually invaded the other countries. I’m trying to remember if there’s ever been a “hot” war that’s lasted this long, that we’ve been in?
I’ve always felt like I should have been a ’90 baby and not a ’91 because I always feel like I’m being held back a year. And then I realize, that the doctors, the hospital, and my parents, and the birth certificate committee would have all had to have been in on this big scheme to change the year on my vital records. So I decide that it’s unlikely and continue to feel like I’m supposed to be a year older but I’m not. That’ll probably change?
(happy things)
This year has been a year of self-discovery, and I’ve learned a lot about myself. I rediscovered my artistic side, and spent the last year working on that with no plans to stop and plenty to go forward. I’ve also tapped into my inner geek which has been amazing and fun. I never used to be into games, I like joining a community of gamers and geekiness. I imagine that this year will be filled with equally amazing opportunities and challenges and ways to keep learning and move out of my comfort zone a little bit.
And 20 is just much more fun to say. Until next year anyway, because 21 is just that much cooler.
Two Decades
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2 responses to “Two Decades”
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Yeah, I just decided yesterday that being 24 was cool…because I’m old enough now that if I state my age online, people take me more seriously which is cool. Besides that, I can say “for the last 23 years of my life” and it sounds even better. LOL
Happy early birthday!!! -
[…] found my post about turning 20 and gave it a read to remember where I was and what I was thinking about in 2011. I was just 2 […]
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