The 5 Year Plan

Do you know what's absolutely terrifying? Realizing your 5 year plan is almost up. Can you say quarter-life crisis??

If my Twitter and Facebook feeds are any sort of indication, I know I'm not the only one going through this. But it's terrifying. You see, I don't really know what to do. My last 5 year plan was pretty simple. I drafted it my junior year of high school when everyone was telling me to start thinking about my future. It wasn't really a big deal for me then. I had been thinking about my future FOREVER! I didn't really have many choices, since my parents had mapped out a pretty decent education plan for me. The original 5 year plan looked something like this.

*Go to college and graduate my teaching degree
*Go on LOTS of dates
*Get a reliable car-if you ever saw/rode in Daisy, you understand
*Work to pay for the things I need and want

It was basic, but at 17, I really didn't understand what being in the "real world" was like. But now those five years are up and I have to create a new plan. I found out some exciting possible news concerning my graduation, and it's making me realize just how close to being done with school I am. So where do I go from here? Obviously I still have to finish this semester and next, but then what? There are so many unknowns. Here's the start of the next 5 year plan.

*Get a PR job with a stable company
*BUY a house. An apartment will be fine at first, but I want a house that I can paint and decorate
*Find HIM
*Get a new, grown up looking car
*Get a pure white, fluffy kitten and name her "Cupcake" (this is probably the easiest of everything on this list)

I feel like these things have always been on the plan, but now instead of being those things I'll do "when I grow up" they're the things I have to start doing NOW!

So what about you? Do you have a 5 year plan? Have you thought about what you'll do once you leave the cushion of academia? I want to hear your thoughts.

Spring Break

Last week was my last Spring Break....EVER!! That's so scary to think. Graduation is getting closer and closer. December will be here before I know it. I've never had the "College Spring Break Experience," mainly because of money. The last two years I've gone back to my parent's house and worked at the bowling ally. This year, I still went home, but I didn't work...I PLAYED!!!

Anytime my two besties and I get together, we have fun. Being Spring Break and actually having decent weather, last week was no exception. To make it even better, it was BOTH of their 21st birthdays, so we had even more reason to celebrate. In standard Rachael fashion, it was photo-documented!

The week started with a Friday night trip to Denny's (it's our place) There was a cute boy sitting in the booth behind us. I smiled at him and when they left, they dropped this paper flower on the table in front of me. A phone number was written on the stem, so I text it. He was 16!! Good to know a cougar career is a possibility.

                                               

Tuesday we decided to go thrifting at the Layton DI (insert Macklemore lyrics here). If anyone can tell me what this is, I'll make you cupcakes.

After thrifting dinner. Awww, Taco Bell, you make me laugh. Not my idea of romance, but if it works....

Friday was Candalynne's Birthday and that meant presents and dinner! Oh and tons of laughs!

We went to see "Safe Haven" (great movie!) at the Junction and then walked across the street. Cute little place, but apparently the cupcake wasn't that great.

Saturday was Jayna's Birthday Party! The theme was supposed to be "The Most Popular Girl in School" a web series she loves, but the hats made it impossible for our inner unicorns to not be embraced.

Team Deandra notebook I made for her.

And pens and dinosaur erasers. Did I mention Jay LOVES dinos???

The "Deandra" cake Jay made! 

Overall, it was a great week! I'm so glad I have friends who know how to have fun without spending tons of money. This was hands down the best Spring Break ever!

Life is Like...

The other day I was playing Solitaire at work (judge me all you want. I needed a break from thinking about school.) I was like 0 for 20, with the computer telling me I was out of moves each time. It didn't matter what I did, I could NOT win! And then it hit me. Life is like a game of Solitaire. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. We can start the game over and try to correct our mistakes, but that rarely helps and if you're like me, you usually end up making the same mistakes.  Sometimes you just have to accept defeat and start a new game and try to learn from the mistakes you made the last time. Essentially it's not about how many games you actually win, it's about realizing when it's time to start over and learning from your mistakes. Eventually you will win!

Here's to starting a new game!