Five Year Crisis

Sometimes I like to flip through old posts and see what I was doing at the same time in years past, just for funzies. Exactly five years ago from tomorrow I posted this picture on my blog as a visual representation of the inner exhaustion I was experiencing while preparing for my very first semester final exams. When I stumbled upon this post in particular I was very amused for many reasons, the first being that I would actually post a picture of myself like this on the internet. The picture is also amusing because of the feelings it stirs up. Old feelings. It makes me feel really really oooolllddd. It was five, 5, FIVE years ago! Holy Hannah. I've been in school for too long. A popular get to know you question is always, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" I wouldn't have ever guessed I'd be where I am today, five years ago.

I think that at this point in time I was declared an Art Major or Art Education Major. I was 18 years old, barely old enough to vote. I was still really worried about grades and put in the time to get perfect ones. I hadn't met the majority of people who I consider to be my closest friends. I had close to zero dating experience. I wasn't even considering transferring schools at this point. Studying abroad was something I hadn't considered yet either. I hadn't ever owned a car before. My laptop was new and cutting edge. I hadn't ever run more than 7 miles. My brother was only 11 years old. I hadn't ever tried Indian food yet, or Thai food, or frozen yogurt. I don't think I own any of the clothes that I did then. I hadn't yet discovered my love for yoga, edamame, or stretch pants. Youtube wasn't really a thing. My family still lived in Utah. I hadn't ever been to a legitimate art museum. I had only lived with 3 of the 30-something roommates I've had. None of my friends were married. None of my friends had babies. I hadn't ever tried snowboarding. I didn't know how to play the guitar. I didn't know Pandora existed. I could still do some math and science. I hadn't really paid bills. My love for the library was just beginning to blossom at this point. I wasn't old enough to work for EFY, but technically I could have attended EFY as a participant. I couldn't yet stand having my fingernails painted. I hadn't yet been to the Oregon coast, Chicago, or New York City. I didn't yet own any of the sweaters from my ugly sweater collection. In fact the thought of having this kind of collection hadn't ever crossed my mind.

I suppose I could go on forever about the things I've done in the past five years and the ways that I've changed etc. Really though it comes down to the fact that these have been five golden years that I wouldn't trade for anything. I have figured out (mostly) the person I want to be and what I want to do with my life and I've had cool adventures along the way. It will be interesting to see where I'll be in five years from today. I predict that in five years:

• I'll be graduated, and have my teaching degree. Maybe I'll be teaching.
• I'll be 28 years old.
• Maybe I'll be married with a kid or two?
• I'll have been more places, seen more cool things, developed new interests.

These are the only predictions I can make at this point in time. It's cool to note that I have say in what happens in these years to come. I think my next project will be to brainstorm things I want to see happen in my life, and make a plan to see them happen. May the odds be ever in my favor. Let the games begin!