I was recently asked "How old do you feel...and...how old do you wish you were?" I can't believe how hard of a question that is to answer.
For those of you who don't know, I am really the baby in all of my work environments. I am the youngest employee at Dancers' Group, I am the youngest company member in every dance company except for one (there is 1 girl a year younger than me), my friends are in their mid to late 20's and 30's, and while I am only 24, I feel that I have accomplished a substantial amount thus far. (Of course there are many more things I want to accomplish!)
So to answer the question "How old do you feel" is tough. I feel in many aspects I am older than I am. But, on the other hand, I am very aware that I am "the baby" at work, with friends and while dancing. So I said, I guess while my body feels achy (the life of a dancer), I don't stay out too late like I did when I was 20/21 years old, my idea of a fun night is sitting with a glass of wine and a good book or movie (wearing sweats of course) so I really do feel like the age 24 is appropriate for me.
As for "How old do you wish you were?" that is easy. Do I wish I were older? Not really. The only good thing about being 25 is that I can rent a car, but being that I own a car, its not a big deal! Do I want to be younger? No way! Teenage years were enjoyable but never do I need to go back to them! I enjoyed the fun I had in college, the joy I had being with my best friends, the ability to go out at night, use my loan money to live, be at the in between kid and adult state, but I was ready to move on. 24 is a perfect age for me. I am young enough that I have a whole life ahead of me, I can travel, go to grad school, work, dance, live for me. I am paying my bills, making my own decisions, living the life that I chose for me.
I share my birthday with my grandma (hints why my middle name is Colett- her name is Coletta). I don't think I ever really would care for my birthday if it weren't for my Grandma. Sharing my day with her has always made it so much more special. Ever since moving away from home, my birthday has never felt quite the same.
I can so clearly remember my 21st birthday party. A big house party with a ton of people, half of them I didn't know. I don't even think the party started until 11 pm. I spent my 22nd birthday at school- it was the first day back to school after break. Last year (23) I spent my birthday in an empty apartment that didn't have furniture yet, no kitchen equipment to make food with, a small selection of clothes and my roommate as my only friend. We spent the entire day waiting to have a 5 min interview for the new Cheesecake factory only to find out that because I had never served before they could never hire me as a waitress in a new location. (Nice that they told you that before you waited for 5 hours to get an interview) Therefore I was put on a "talent bench." I was suppose to call back in March to start serving. Needless to say, I took it as a sign. I decided right then and there that I had never been a waitress and never would be-- I was meant to work in my field-- dance.
And a year later, on my 24th birthday I got up, showered, ate breakfast (which I never do but my roommate made me pancakes), drove to my full time job, worked all day at a job that focuses 100% on dance, received 2 dozen roses, bought plane tickets to NYC (with my credit card, not my moms), went to rehearsal and then came home to warm up Mexican food I picked up before rehearsal, and poured myself a glass of wine.
Dancers' Group bought me a nice bottle of wine for my birthday. The back of the bottle reads:
"As humanity's oldest symbol the spiral represents eternal change, reminding us that life is not a straight line. It symbolizes new beginnings, renewal and hope for the future. It's the celebration of our quest for growth and love of life."
So for my 24th year- I am going to spiral through, ride the crazy adventures and love life. (Happy Birthday Grandma!)
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