The end of communism and the real world

"The in between" is a phrase I have heard a lot recently. It refers to the phase of life I am currently in due to the fact that I am out of college but not really fully settled into my next phase, whatever that may hold. I'm a little trapped between my urges to still go to Westmont for events that I probably shouldn't be seen at any more and then oddly working a sassy 8-5 job where I dress up and get a lunch break (I realize this is normal to most of the country, but it's still new to me). These two things are definitely at odds and some days I find myself leaning more toward one than the other, but most of the time I just accept "the in between". It's as if I am standing with each of my feet in one of these two phases and not quite ready to take a full step toward where I am headed. This picture is actually me crossing from West Berlin into East Berlin where the wall once stood and is my ever-so-artsy way of displaying this transition from one side to another. Maybe it's not as dramatic as the end of the communist era but in my limited reality, it sometimes feels that way. Because lists are an efficient way of communicating a lot without saying much, I will comment on the things that have placed me strictly onto one side or the other of this awkward hump, leaving me right smack dab in "the in between" phase.

I am still very much a college student when...

• I went to the Westmont library and delivered a friend treats during mid-terms
• I played beer pong for my first time
• I got confused why I only get 2 days off for Thanksgiving and 1 1/2 for Christmas
• I started going to taco tuesday every week for $1 tacos
• My roommate convinced me to stay up late and watch t.v. despite my early wakeup
• I eat frozen pizzas as my go-to meal
• I spend my Friday nights babysitting and look forward to kitchens full of free food
• I frequent the Montecito Coffee Bean and know every Westmont student in there

I have abruptly arrived at my adultness when...

• I received my student loan
• I went to happy hour with my work (and watched as my friends walked by to go to Yogurtland in sweats) on a Friday night
• Tried on bridesmaid dresses
• Had to chose an insurance plan
• My bedtime moved to 1030 pm
• My lunch break turned into the best time to run errands
• Casual Friday is now the only guaranteed time you will find me in jeans

Now can you see the relationship to the fall of the Berlin wall? its quite dramatic, people.