The road less traveled.

I turned 24 on March 7, 2015... that was about 4 weeks ago.

Sitting here, I can think back to when I turned 16, 18 and 21. 

The milestone birthdays.

The expectations that arise with each birthday

For my 16th birthday, I invited all my high school friends over to my house and we had a giant barbecue. That's when everyone in MA get's their driving permit. 

I didn't get mine until I was 17...

When I turned 18, I went over to my friends house and they surprised me 

with a small party, cake and homemade cards.

You're expected to start buying scratch tickets because you can.

I've only ever bought one and yes, it was the night of my 18th birthday.

And when I turned 21, I decided to go out to dinner with all my friends and continue the night at a bar with the ones who had already turned 21. 

Lucky for me Brendan also got to attend this birthday celebration!

That's when you're life is expected to hit a downward drinking spiral.

I hate drinking.

I've never followed social norms and I've always been okay with that.

It wasn't until the few months before turning 24 that I started to judge myself based on how far behind at life I was...

So why 24?

When you tun 22, you're expected to be wrapping up your undergraduate college career.

When I was 22, I still had 2 years left at Lesley University!

When you turn 23, you're expected to finally be somewhat an adult. If you've followed the 4 year college plan, by now you've graduated. Everyone knows that for the next year, income will be unsteady and you'll spend all your time looking for a job. 

When I was 23, I still had a year of undergrad left.

When you turn 24, however, boom! You're an adult. You're expected to have a legitimate job with a steady income which puts your degree to work. You're expected to start putting money away so that one day you can settle down and buy a house. 

Let's just say when I'm no where near any of those things.

I turned 24, had just finished my last undergrad semester and I hadn't even received my diploma in the mail yet... I'M SO FAR BEHIND!

What ever happened to living in the present?

Going into my 24th birthday, I felt discouraged because I was about 1.5 years behind the 'typical timeline of a college graduate.'

I found myself thinking "I can't believe it's taken me so long to het here" when I should have been thinking "Yes, I've finally gotten here!"

I was so hung up on the fact that I was still living at home, working a part time job, in an after school program, with no actual tangible diploma or teaching degree.

All of my friends had graduated last year, so I was bumming on that too.

But, I'm not them. Why am I comparing myself to them?

Not to mention all these random questions I had for myself about the future.

Where should I go to grad school?

Will I ever work full time?

I'll never be able to afford a new car.

Will I ever have a legitimate teaching job?

No one will pre-approve me.

What about living in the present?

If you're always looking towards the future, you'll never live in the present.

Just because I turned 24 doesn't mean I need to be discouraged about all the things I haven't yet done in life. I will get there, whether I'm 5 steps behind or in front of anyone else.

It's important to remember not to compare yourself to anyone.

It's also important to remember that life has no timeline. 

Our society creates these social norms as a way to judge everyone against each other. 

Who's more successful?

Who's living the dream?

Who's smartest?

Who's got the perfect family? 

Who's a failure?

Who's on track?

Who missed their oppertunity?

Everyone has their own personal timeline.

As long as you are happy and in a good place that is all that matters.

Don't compare yourself to anyone.

I choose to take the road less traveled.

At first I was nervous about telling everyone I was 24. I'm not where 'I should be' according to society.

But, I've one so much I'm proud of...

I finally finished college.

 I got my diploma in the mail a week after my 24th birthday!

I was granted my teaching license for the state of MA a few days later!

I paid off my car.

I have money to splurge on myself. 

I am happy.

I am 24.

Those are the things that matter most to me right now.

Now it's your turn to ask yourself, are you living in the present or in the future?

Until next time,

XOXO Ines


------------------------------------------


The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

I quit blogging?!

Hello everyone,

You may be asking, where the heck have I been?! 

Has Ines quit blogging?!

The last time I wrote a post was on Christmas day. I decided to tackle the 25 day leading up to Christmas and challenged myself in something I called "25 days of Blogmas". Well, that consumed my entire existence and I guess you could say that up until now I've had no motivation to continue writing.

A lot has happened since then... I mean, it has literally been three months.

I am currently sitting in my living room, on my phone. I've refreshed all my social media and nothing has changed. That's when I remembered my poor blog and all of you amazing people! I've been so neglectful and with a little extra time on my hands and some sudden motivation and inspiration, I have decided to challenge myself yet again. 

But, this time I challenge myself to never go three months without blogging again.

Since I last posted on My, Myself and Ines, I have...

1. Received my degree!

2. Been given my teaching license.

3. Made the Dean's List.

4. Auditioned for my fifth year as a Boston Cannons Dancer.

5. Auditioned to be a Patriots Cheerleader for the first time.

6. Been given a pay raise at work.

7. Applied to grad school!

8. I turned 24.

9. I went on yet another Caribbean Cruise as a grad gift from Brendan <3

So far March has been the most wonderful month!

That just names a few. There's so much more that has been going on, and each of those things above have so any more details associated with them, so for now I hope to create a blog post dedicated to each of those milestones.

Anyways, I have to get ready for work. 

It's so great to be back and I'm super excited to see where this year takes me!

Until next time,

XOXO Ines

25 Days of BlogMas | Day 24

Wednesday: December 24, 2014

Merry Christmas Eve!

Want to guess how I started my day? 

... Going to the local mall with my mom! 

My mom has an extremely sensitive stomache, IBS, and krones so petty much all December, when she gets home from work she can't do anything. I've been doing most if the Christmas shopping for her. 

Today she was finally feeling better so she decided that we should go out together and finish our Christmas shopping. 

We went out for about an hour and I have to say we were extremely successful. There weren't too many people out surprisingly so that was even better!

After we came home, I finished wrapping everything! 

Then went into the kitchen to make my moms mousse. I made the chocolate mousse totally from scratch and as soon as I put it in the fridge, I ran upstairs and showered. 

I was having Christmas Eve for the third year in a row at Brendan's house with his mom and dad so I needed to get myself ready. 

His family opens presents and has their big dinner on Christmas Eve while my family opens presents and cooks a big dinner on Christmas. I love this because it doesn't make us have to divide our time on the same day. 

I went over at 6 pm and his parents had appetizers waiting on the table. I brought over all my presents for Brendan and his mom and dad, which we would eventually open after dinner. We also sipped on a Portuguese cocktail drik which I had brought them this past summer from my vacation in Portugal. 

We watched Christmas Vacation and at 8 o'clock had dinner; fillet mignon and mashed potatoes with corn and asparagus! So delicious!

After dinner, that's when the present opening began!

His parents got me the Harry Potter Books box set, something I've always wanted but haven't been able to afford. They also bought some shore excursions for us to do on our cruise in January. 

Some of the things Brendan got me in life a Canon EOS T5, a Coach Watch and the new Louboutin nailpolish. Smaller items like giftcard sand a coffee mug were in my stocking and he also bought me a massage at a really nice spa!

After opening gifts, we enjoyed the chocolate mousse and each other company. 

This Christmas I was more than spoiled! 

It wasn't about all the lovely gifts I got. Instead it was about the thoughtfulness behind each of those gifts. 

I know that Brendan and his family love me; I can feel it. 

I just hope that they know just how much I love them too!

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

Until next time,

XOXO Ines

25 Days of BlogMas | Day 23

Tuesday: December 23, 2014

Guys?!

Today was the last day of my student teaching placement. 

I laughed, hugged, cried and smiled. 

The kids had a holiday party today. Parent volunteers came in and helped with the sock snowman craft, which turned out super cute! 

What I was really surprised about was that I got a class gift presented by the parents. It really made me feel included and even more a part of the classroom. It also made it harder to say goodbye. 

At the end of the day, my classroom teacher and the aid, as well as the kids, presented me with a huge bag of books. 

They are the start if my own classroom library. It was the sweetest thing that they could have done! The bag is signed and decorated by each child. 

The other two first grade teachers also have me a small stack of books that they picked out, too. 

The sweet messages written inside and their generosity brought me to tears!

What you he's me most was something my classroom teacher said to me after all the children were gone. 

I made friends for life. Anything I need or any time I want to get dinner or visit, I just need to text. 

My teacher and aid have been the most wonderful me it's and people I've come across in my entire experience working for public schools. 

It warms my heart to know that being with them isn't permanently over. 

After an emotional dismissal, once again I headed to work. 

They were watching a movie when I got there so it was a pretty lazy afternoon. At that point I just wanted to go home. I was so emotionally drained I didn't want to be there. 

When I got home, I ate and went back out to shop. 

I made sure all my gifts were wrapped, and found Willie sleeping under the tree. 

I also made sure Brendan's gifts were ready to go. 

Later tonight, I hung out with Brendan and just relaxed in his arms. I'm so happy to finally be done! 

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve so I'm going to be going to Brendan's house to open gifts and eat dinner with his parents. 

Should be a great night! 

Until next time, 

XOXO Ines

25 Days of BlogMas | Day 22

Monday: December 22, 2014

Hello world!

Today started off as a bitter sweet day. 

This morning I woke up and headed to my last 'week' at my student teaching classroom. I used quotes because they go on vacation tomorrow, so it's not a full week. 

A couple students brought in thoughtful gifts, which included really sweet messages. 

It's nice to feel appreciated sometimes!

It's sad for me to think that tomorrow is my last day in that classroom. It's been the most amazing semester if my life! 

Well, the day was he give because we did a lot if finishing up old work and cleaning up the classroom to prep for vacation. 

I was able to get away during my lunch break. I left the school, got some fresh air and mailed the last of our Christmas cards. 

I got back and it was absolute chaos. The kids have totally lost it. With Christmas literally around the corner, their excitement has taken over and their focus has taken a time out. 

After my morning with them, I stopped at home. What should have only been 5 minutes turned into 20. We have a pug puppy who hasn't been sold yet so I decided I needed some puppy therapy. 

Can you handle this face? His, not mine!

The sweetness! The cuteness! Ah! :-)

Pug butt!

After hanging out with this little guy, I was off to work. Nothing was too eventful and I was just counting down the time til we were all done. I had to go out and shop more!

Brendan joined me after work and we went to a few Marshall's and the tj maxx. 

When we were done we got Wendy's, ate then made goody bags. One of our stops tonight was the dollar store (teacher's best friend) so that I could make each child a goodbye treat bag. 

Brendan has been so wonderful and not once complained about my diva-ness. He has however been reminding me to take it slower and stop stressing so much. Super helpful! 

Now that I'm finally home, I can't wait to get in my bed!

Nighty night!!

Until next time, 

XOXO Ines

25 Days of BlogMas | Day 21

Sunday: December 21, 2014

Hi there all!

I'm so dead!

Another day full of shopping!

Not only was I shopping for people on my list, I was also shopping for people on my mom and dad's lists too! 

I ended up dragging my but all over town hunting for things in everyone's lists. 

After spending the morning shopping for people by myself, I came home to eat with my family and then we all went to the mall. 

For Christmas my parents decided to buy me a macbook so we drove up to New Hampshire since they have no taxes and I got to pick out the one I wanted. 

We did a few other things and then headed home. 

I haven't had my own laptop for 5 years so I'm excited to finally get one. 

5 years you ask? Well I'm not the type to ever ask for things. Plus both my parents have laptops so I would just use theirs. It was never a problem. 

My personal goal is to try not to use it until Christmas Day. Honestly I think it'll be easy because I'm so use to not having a laptop. 

I finished the night by wrapping all of Brendan's Christmas gifts. 

There's a couple things I'm waiting on to come in the mail tomorrow, but other than that, I'm done with his gifts! I'm super excited to give them to him :-)

Well, hope you all had a great night! 

Until next time, 

XOXO Ines

25 Days of BlogMas | Day 20

Saturday: December 20, 2014

Heeeeyyyyyy,

Can we just talk about how exhausted I am !!

I spent the entire morning shopping at the local plaza and mall. I feel like that's all I've been doing the last few days. 

Not only was I trying to get some Christmas shopping done but I was also trying to finish my gift for Yankee swap. 

Eventually I succeeded and came home to make chocolate mousse. The Yankee swap was also a pot luck. 

I helped my mom clean some of the house and I wrapped a lot of gifts! 

7pm rolled around and off I went down the street to my friends house. The Yankee swap was between my close hometown girlfriends; the ones I went to middle school and high school with (one I've known since first grade). 

It's funny because even though it was a Yankee swap, no one swapped. We all loved what we opened up. I got the most beautiful scarf and the game racko!

I felt bad because tonight was Taylor's birthday celebration out at a bar in Boston. Yesterday at the holiday party at her mom's I said I'd probably make it. I didn't expect my hometown friends to be out so late. 

Well no one was leaving so I felt bad ditching. I texted Taylor to let her know I couldn't make it. I felt bad about that too. 

I know I can't please everyone, but I was really looking forward to celebrating her birthday. She was totally understanding and I had told her days before that I had the Yankee swap, but still. 

Anyways, now I'm home, full and exhausted! The good was all so good and it felt great seeing more friends I've neglected over this semester. 

Until next time,

XOXO Ines

25 Days of BlogMas | Day 19

Friday: December 19, 2014

Hi Friends!

I woke up this morning so happy it was Friday! I was ready for the weekend! 

But first, I had to go to Christmas Breakfast with all of my afterschool coworkers. 

Doris picked me up and we met everyone at the local breakfast diner. Christmas breakfast has been a tradition with my coworkers since I started working afterschool 5 years ago. It's when we exchange secret Santa gifts too!

My secret Santa got me the absolute cutest pink wallet! 

I got my person a tea set. Originally I was hesitant because my person was the newest employee, so I didn't know a lot about her. But she loved it! 

After breakfast, I went to the dentist and then to work. 

Because of breakfast this morning I couldn't go to my student teaching classroom again. 

Anyways, after work I quickly ran to the liquor store to pick up a bottle of wine to give to the hosts of a Christmas party I went to tonight. 

I headed home, showered and got ready and Brendan picked me up at 8. 

One of my best girl friends, who I met through my dance team, invited Brendan and me to her mim's holiday party. The invite said everyone had to be 18+ which ment that it was an adult only party. 

It's funny because me and Brendan were super excited! We'd never been to an adult halloween party with real mingling and adult conversations with strangers. 

Well we had fun! Lots of martini drinking and lots of gossiping. 

We left around 11 and went back to Brendan's for a little before I went home. 

Today was just what I needed. Time with friends. All semester I feel like I've been running around, stressed out and short with friends. I've been anti social, lazy and bearly see anyone. So, it was so nice to have a day dedicated entirely to seeing friends who I've totally neglected.  

Goodnight!

Until next time,

XOXO Ines

25 Days of BlogMas | Day 18

Thursday: December 18, 2014

Hi guys,

Boy, today was a long day.

I woke up this morning, made myself a cup of coffee, and headed over to my student teaching classroom.

Do you remember a couple weeks ago I was telling you about how my classroom teacher was out for a week and a half with pneumonia? Well the thing with pneumonia is you have it for about a week but because it's so physically draining, you're pretty much bedridden for three weeks. She still hasn't fully recovered.

Well, now she has a major sinus infection, so she wasn't in today. 

She is such a wonderful person and loves what she does so much that I feel awful for her. It's one thing after another and she can't shake any of them off.

Anyways, the highlight of my day was coming in the morning and seeing a pink decorated box where I usually keep all of my belongings. It was from one of the girls in my classroom. She made me an ornament and tied it to to a candy came.  She even wrote me a little card. The sweetest part was that her family will be a really nice message inside of the card too. 

To respect the family's privacy I've omitted their names.

I gave her a huge hug when I read everything and I opened my ornament and I told her that when I hung it on my tree I would make sure to take a picture and show it to her on. 

As soon as I got home I hung it on my tree. 

It fits in perfectly!! I can't wait to show her on Monday since I won't be there tomorrow.

After dismissal I headed over to work. It was a relatively easy afternoon at work until about 4:30. 

We kept all the younger children in one room so that my boss and a couple of the older kids could set up in the room next-door to the parent potluck. I'm so happy that I handed out reminder fires yesterday in English Spanish and Portuguese because the turnout tonight was absolutely amazing.

All the staff also got their Christmas gifts for our really big bosses over at central office. Usually they get us a water bottle of some sort but this year we got sweatshirts, which are so soft and warm. Awesome gift!

After work, I headed to tj maxx to shop for my secret Santa. In the morning all my coworkers are going out for our annual Christmas breakfast and exchanging gifts. 

I think I did pretty well. 

Stay warm! 

Until next time, 

XOXO Imes

25 Days of BlogMas | Day 17

Wednesday: Devember 17, 2014

Keep reading to find out more about this picture...

Waking up this morning was hell!

My alarm went off at 6 am (a whole hour earlier than normal) and I was out the door by 7:15 to pick up my coworker Connor. 

I couldn't go to my student teaching because I had a training for my real job. 

I had SPARK Training at the YMCA with some of my coworkers and other staff from the other after school programs. There were about 40 of us and we were in the gym for 5 out if the 6 hours. 

It was a great training but we were all dead by the end. I also couldn't take a lot of pictures. The training focused on getting children active in the afterschool setting and taught us the curriculum to have that happen. 

So what's the best way to learn how to do something? Practice? So we practiced all the gym games. 

By the end, my knees hated me. 

We all got to work at 2:15 dead. When the kids walked into the afterschool room at 2:35, we just sat there. There was low interaction from all of us but thankfully the kids were low maintenance today. 

I'm surprised that when I got home, I had time, energy and desire to string lights on my Christmas tree! 

So that's exactly what I did, right after I poured myself a well deserved glass of wine. 

Willie retuned to his special spot under the tree where he continued to judge me. 

I sat on the floor with my wine and untangled all the lights. It took forever but eventually I did it. 

I have to say, I'm so happy about how the tree came out!

Of course Willie made himself right at home... 

Now that the lights are on, let's see how long it takes to put up the ornaments, because that's something I'm definitely not going to do tonight. 

Until next time,

XOXO Ines

25 Days of BlogMas | Day 16

Tuesday: December 16, 2014

Hi everyone!

Did you sleep well? I know I could have slept til noon today if I didn't have to go into my classroom. 

The sign for Talia is still up and I think we are going to leave it there up until Xmas break. 

Nothing exciting happened today other than the fact that if we keep having indoor recess, I'm going to explode! And it's not the children's or school's fault. It's no ones fault. We have indoor recess when the temp outside is below 20F or if it's raining/snowing. 

It's been so weird out that we have had a few days in a row, even last week, that were indoor recess. It's good for them to run around so hopefully Mother Nature will quit it and give us a nice day. 

When I got to work later today around 3, my coworkers were frantic getting everything ready for Thursday. Our boss had run the the super market to buy snacks so we were inventorying everything, making sure we had serving spoons and enough dishes and cleaning. 

Hopefully, parents will actually show up and bring a dish to the potluck. We never know how it's going to go. 

The first thing I did when I got home was go downstairs and get the Christmas boxes from the basement. I also got all the "good stuff" from the giant heavy chest in the dinning room. 

My goal was to figure out which Christmas lights actually work. 

Of course while I'm doing all of this, Willie has politely created himself a cozy corner on the skirt of the tree and watches me through the entire process. 

Well, eventually I figured everything out and sorted through the ornaments. We have so many that they all simply can't go on the tree. We would need 4 trees. So every year I pick and choose the best and most special. 

My goal for tomorrow is to string the lights on the tree after I come home from work. 

I have a training bright and early so we will see how I feel when I get home ...

Until next time,

XOXO Ines