Growing up

Growing up is hard. No one will ever tell you otherwise. But along the way you learn a lot of things, and people don't stop learning either.

Its graduation time. People who you have known for years are leaving and are gone. I just finished my third year of college and still have one and a half left. Even with my closest friends from home being a year older than me, most of them just graduating from college themselves, I cant help but feel like I am the first one to actually leave home and start a new life.

Granted most of this feeling is situational. I moved off campus this past year and have a house that I can live in until my lease is up at the end of July, so I wouldn't have been going home more than periodically this current summer as it is. Then you add in my current career path. If you know me, you know that I am a tech theatre major with a focus in scene design and construction. To help propel me in my career I am working as a shop assistant/general technician this summer at Huron Playhouse. That runs in June and July and I will not be going home at all during that time. In August when that is over, I will be moving into my new apartment in BG. So yeah, I honestly dont know when I will be going home next.

Comparatively all of my friends from home don't really have any plans (I mean no harm in saying that) I know 2 are going to grad school close to home so they will just be living at home, but I honestly don't know the about the rest of them. I come from a strange assortment of friends from home. Here's the breakdown:

The Greek: dropped out of high school before his senior year. Since then he has claimed to be in various public service trailing programs, flight school, auditioned for survivor, auditioned for a indoor football team, and has been in the restaurant and computer repair services. Chronic lair. His actual existence is questionable.

The Italian: Graduated high school and went to Akron University to study music education. After 3 semesters of that he transferred to community college because he had surgery on his shoulder and couldn't play his instrument until he healed. After a semester of that he started at ITT Tech. All the while this was going on he has worked as a painter for his uncle who repaints apartments after people move out. Just over a year ago he started working for an inventory company. Education plans: uncertain. Future plans for life: questionable. Goes to bars every week with the Greek.

The Idiot: Its strange that I give him this name as I thought he was one of the smartest people I knew in high school. After a year of going to the college of his choice he was kicked out because of grades. Went to community college for a semester, then went back to the first college. Got kicked out again for "undisclosed reasons". Back and currently attending community college. Works at a hardware store. Drinks with The Greek and The Italian. Education plans: graduate school? Future plans: Marry his current girlfriend. (title is justified)

The Hut: Name was originally given back in high school because of his weight problems (has sense slimmed down). Went to college of choice. Got good marks. Looking for job in his field. He will go somewhere. Good kid.

The Polak: Post secondary throughout high school. Graduated college a semester early. Athletic, but eats like a fatty. Working in chosen field. Going places with his life.


So yeah, even though I am still in college and have time before I graduate, I feel like I have my shit together, compared to most of my friends listed (only the first 3 actually).

I guess part of growing up is saying good-bye to those from your past. I haven't seen many of these people since Christmas. Its sad, but such is life. All I know is that I know what I am doing with my life, and I have pretty much started to live on my own. I have a very bright future.