Roller Coaster

In a moment of weakness and irresponsibility last December, I bought an annual pass to Disneyland. I've wanted one since the day I moved into the area but knowing it was not exactly a necessity, I could never rationalize spending money on such a frivolity. Enter the payment plan. Payment plans seem like the answer to every financial woe, right? Ok, well, when you're 20-something it does. 8 months later I'm still making the monthly payments. But it's totally worth it.

I'm sure the added pressure of all my closest friends having passes had nothing to do with my decision. Nothing at all.

Anyways. With the variety of rides at Disneyland, rarely is there a ride that appeals to all of us on the same level. I'm a Tower of Terror kind of girl but the same can't be said for everyone else. Getting us all on that one is like pulling teeth from a snail.

However, the one ride we will all readily agree on is California Screamin'. It's fast, fun, smooth, and no one feels like death is ripping them through the overhead safety bar. But that doesn't mean it's not full of twists, turns, the occasional lull, and speeds that make your stomach drop it like it's hot.

Similarly, being in your 20's is a total roller coaster. Ups and downs, twists and turns. Sometimes you're body is going so fast that your brain and stomach can't quite catch up with you before the next change happens. It's incredibly fun, but you don't always know what to expect next or when it will all be over. There are moments of relief, when you can turn to your neighbor and yell, "ohmygosh I love this!!" or "ohmygosh I'm a mess" or "ohmygosh this is crazy!". But before you know it, you're in the middle of yet another exhilerating moment. Exilerating either because you are loving or hating whatever twist or turn you're on.

There are lots of "ohmygosh" moments in your 20's. "Ohmygosh, I don't know how I will get this done" or "Ohmygosh this is so much fun" or "Ohmygosh, what am I supposed to do with my life?". There are also lots, and lots of questions. What's next? When will I figure out what to do with my life? Will I ever have enough money? Who can I trust? WHO AM I?

That last question probably bears the most weight. Every other question or concern somehow goes back to the "who am I?" question. For the first time in life we are living on our own, choosing our own schedule, paying our own bills, working our first job, and ultimately calling our own shots. We've had 20 years of someone else calling the shots for us, or at least pointing us in the right direction, but now it's up to us. We are navigating our lives for the first time and it's bittersweet. Bitter because we don't know what we are doing or where we are going. Sweet because we are experiencing freedom like we never have before. And laughter. There is a lot of laughter.

In my opinion, there is no situation that cannot be made better with laugher. I laugh at myself, my friends, movies, SNL bits, family, funny thingsgirlssay and so much, much more. While it's difficult at times, I even attempt to find humor when the going gets tough and there is really nothing laughable about the situation at hand.  It's just better that way.

Oh, and roller coasters. I literally laugh my way through roller coasters like it's my job. No matter how scared* or excited I am, I laugh. It's the best way to go really--in life and roller coasters. Laughing makes everything more fun. So laugh at yourself. Laugh at your friends. Laugh at thingsgirlssay. Don't "Just Dance"...laugh!

Hehehe :)

*Read: surprised.