Did I just miss the bus? (more importantly, does it matter?)

I’ve never written a blog before, but after a day of Friends marathons, chick flicks and Sex & the city I’m feeling inspired. I’m not trying to be the next Carrie Bradshaw or Nicholas Sparks, but there are some things that have been on my mind. The main concept behind them all today is time. Time’s an incredibly scary thing. During my 70 days in Italy I became much more aware of time then I ever was before. I had a countdown to the exact time I came home, I thought of every time on a clock in ters of the time it was in Bologna, and the time it was in Harrisburg. Military time quickly became my life, and by week 5 I think I had finally mastered the art of catching a train without running through a city like a true American Tourist. I became incredibly aware of the fact that if I left my “flat” a minute too late I would have to catch the 11C at 8:00 instead of the 11B at 7:55. And sure the 11C got me there, but I had to walk extra fast to get to school before 8:30. So, as weird as it sounds the most valuable thing that happened to me in Italy was that I got good at time. You want to know what’s even weirder? I don’t just mean in the literal sense.

I used to spend so much time thinking about the future and worrying about what was to come and what I would do with my life. I’ve had a ten year plan for the last 4 years and I’ve worked so hard at sticking to it. I planned so many details of my life in my head that I didn’t actually have time to look at the things in my life that were happening. Before you know it, here I am a college graduate with nothing but a plan. Sure it’s great to have a goal and know what you’re working towards, but you can’t JUST have a plan.  But, I’m not scared anymore; time isn’t such a terrifying thing. I spent a week unemployed, applied to jobs, and got one. And as easy as that my plan changed, I adjusted, and I moved on. Besides that I have opened myself up to entirely different opportunities.  Living for the future and sticking to the plan is just asking for a nervous breakdown. And trust me, I’m a girl who does not need a nervous break down.There’s no use trying so hard to make a perfect life for myself ten years down the road. Instead, I’m going to focus on making life enjoyable for myself now. Sure I don’t have a job that I can “climb the ladder at.”Yes I rent a room from my sister and brother-in-law, and share a bed with my cat. It may not all be a part of the ten year plan, but for now I am going stick to being a part of THIS time, and try to avoid running around looking like an American tourist.

So the moral of the story, maybe sometimes I miss the 11B, but what’s so wrong with that? There is always another bus. And you know what, I still know where I want this bus to take me, I’m just not so worried about getting there on time.