Growing Up

It's been a few months since I've posted. I've been working out of state in a commercial kitchen for three months with limited internet access, and I wouldn't have traded that experience for the world. I've learned so much about myself, about others, and about life.

I don't even know where to begin.

I learned that I really am a social person. Growing up as a child being homeschooled you hear a lot of concern for your 'socialization' and you always wonder a little bit if you fit into your peer groups, but then again, I'm sure that happens to everyone. I used to think that I didn't fit in well with people my age. I worked well with people my parents' age, I am rather mature for my age and can comfortably talk with those older than me. I worked well with people younger than me, because I am mature I realized how much of an influence I have over those younger than me, and tried to use that influence for good, being a leader. But because I am a little more mature, I felt like I didn't mesh very well with most people my age, and that therefore I wasn't a very social person. I was very worried when I left that I would go off by myself a lot, and not interact with the people around me. I was very surprised when I realized that I was spending a lot of time with other people, and hadn't even touched Les Miserables. Talking to some people, I found out that they couldn't even tell that I was homeschooled, like they could with other people they knew. They were even surprised that I, and another girl there were homeschooled. (Proof that just because you're homeschooled, doesn't mean you're awkward, there are awkward public-schoolers too). I discovered that even if I don't talk very much, I still like being around people, and once I get to know someone I really open up.

I learned that it's OK to let yourself loose. I was so uptight and shy when I got there, and it prevented me from connecting with people quickly. I thought I was up there to do a job, and I was going to do it, and do it as well as I could, which meant no goofing off whatsoever. I had a hard time even talking while working because I was concentrating on what I was doing so much. It was through some wonderful people that I learned that I can have fun while working, lighten up, and still get the job done as well or better. It can even make you go faster, which in turn gives you more time to make the job fun. "In every job that must be done there is an element of fun. You find the fun and SNAP! The job's a game!" -Mary Poppins. We had a lot of 'sneaking' dishes into the sink, refusing to get off mats because they were being 'stolen,' arguments about the dark side, and so forth. I learned that you don't have to be totally mature all of the time. Part of maturity is knowing when it is OK to be immature. "...Men are that they might have joy." -2 Nephi 2:25. It's important to be mature and do what is right, but you can still do what is right and have fun. Because I learned to loosen up I created memories that I'll have with me for a long time. I'm now also a trained ninja assassin.

I learned that even if someone bugs you, a lot, you can get over that and still be friends. There were a few people up there that when I first met them really annoyed me. I don't like the feeling of disliking someone, and so I really tried to become friends with them. And you know what? It was really hard. It took a long time, but I learned to look past the things that bugged me, and look for the positive qualities they had. I may not have become really good friends with them, but we did become friends, and even had fun together, at least I think we did... I did at least.

There is so much else I could write about, but I'd better stop now and go have some FUN!