Strange Confused Times....

[EBottema]

Hey guys,



No one really to talk to about this so i figured I would see what ya'll think around here about it.



I'm 19, graduated high school in june 2003 and going to community college right now waiting to transfer. I'm turning 20 on Monday the 26th, but i feel kind of in limbo... Like I'm too old for those 17-18 year old girls that i see at the kern river all the time but im too young for those older legal drinking age females. I'm at this age where im not a teen anymore but not old enough to drink... Just a wierd feeling, i hate it. . Also i need to figure out a career i mean im 20 already, gonna be a sad birthday :{





Erik

 

[MFalkinham]

I can remember feeling that way at your age. Between 18 & 21 is a tough time - being old enough to die for your country in a war but not old enough to legally drink is a bummer.



Chances are good you will go through several different careers in your life, so I wouldn't be very concerned about that yet. I know several people who spent four years getting their degree, only to graduate and decide they don't want to work in the field they studied. Take a few years of working just to pay your bills until you figure it out for sure, then go back to school. And above all - enjoy your youth, cause it will be gone all too soon!



- Mike

 

[Champane Flight]

Do what feels good

It is a difficult time of life, don't count out those 17-18 year old girls though, and enjoy time spent with your real friends. You don't have to concentrate on your future, live for NOW, this is the time that you will look back on when you are old, gray, and get a real good laugh. Twenty already! You are far from over the hill, kick your heels and have some fun.

 

[TGreschuk]

Hey Erik,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

If I were you, I would celebrate, you are out of your teens! I think the teenage years are the toughest. No job, no clout, no money, no women no authority, Your best years are ahead of you. I wouldn't go back to my teenage years for love nor money (probably cause I got neither then) Take some time and do a little research into potential careers, speak to a few people about what they do and what they like about it, maybe invest in a career book or course... and if it indicates training... do it! You have 45 years to work and my advice (stolen from someone else) is that if you truly love your job you won't work a day in your life. Enjoy your life, try and figure out what you want to do, take pride in it, go be the very best you can and you will have a fullfilling life.

Enjoy your birthday and be cool



Trent

 

[CFast]

STAY in school. Get a degree in something, anything. " oh school sucks, i'll work for a while then go back". UH HUH, 5 years later you're married with 2 kids and a mortgage (ie ME). Stay in school as long as you can until you figure out what you want to do. 18 year olds are ok, don't cruise the High schools, find someone 21 to buy your beer. Stay out late, don't get a permanent girlfriend. 18-19-20 sucks, but goes better with your buddies and some beer. STay in school.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

GEE - I'd really hate to think that all being 20 is about is beer and females...



For me, it was a time for looking around a bit at the real world that - one that *I* was now a functioning part of, and NOT just another adolescent out looking for beer and females...



I found a neat career - one I had NEVER even faintly considered - loved it, did well in it, prospered, married and raised a family - and retired early.



Never did miss the lust and obsession over beer and women...

 

[rrausch]

I agree with Gary. I've seen too many old buddies who lived for "the moment" when they were 19-20, and now are blubbery, sad, broke and wasted. There is more to life than drinking and screwing your brains out. Go out into the world and look around. Try some careers on for size. Learn from someone who can teach you things. Don't get serious with any girl until you are ready to marry--and that means support a wife. I didn't find my career until I was 34. And I may change again before I retire!



What did you want to do when you were a kid? What were your dreams? Whatever they were, work toward them a little at a time.

 

[apkole]

I agree with MFalkinham. Odds are pretty good that you will be chaning jobs occasionally. Life is a smorgasbord of experiences. Find a job you love to do, and you will never work a day in your life. The year I left college I had 5 W2's to file at tax time. I've never been scared to call for the question or make a move if a job became burdensome. Have I given up some retirement and financial security? Probably. However, I'm still somewhat sane and I think a little happier for it.



Oh, and don't let the wrong head do yer thinkin' for ya.

 

[JoshPeters]

Oh ya... . I remember that one... . I was a year out of HS living on my own going to tech school. And having a tough time of it to boot. Don't worry about women. I'm 25 and single. I look around me and what do I see... . Jelous friends. They are all married with kids and can't go out and live "the good life. " I want to bomb my truck, I save a bit... . and do it. Going to school... . definately. Do what I did... sit down and think about all the things you really like to do. Then pick one that could be a good job and do it. Money is temporary, happyness is forever. Could I make more doing something else. Sure. Could I have a cushy desk job... sure. Do I LOVE what I do. Da*n Straight! I was told this once: "Pretend you never had to work another day in your life and could just do anything you wanted. If you're doing now what you would be doing then, you've found the right career. "



Sex is like air, it only matters when your not getting any. 18, dont' worry... she's legal! 17 is jailbait! I know people that have spouses that are 8 years appart in age. 2 years is nothing. I'm 25, and dated a 19 year old.





Alcohol will NOT fix any problems. It is a band-aid. It will generally cause more problems than fix. Use it for Fun and relaxing times. Not for stress relief. Tust me on this one!



Josh

 

[CFast]

Sometimes all you need is that band-aid.

 

[daquilina]

E-HERE GOES MY PERSONAL OPINION..... THE GOOD LORD PUT WOMEN ON THIS EARTH TO ENJOY AND RESPECT. TAKE YOUR TIME AND USE THE ONE ON YOUR SHOULDERS IT WILL TAKE YOU FAR. SECONDLY, ALCOHOL IS FINE WHEN NOT DRINKING IT OUT OF A BROWN PAPER SACK AT 0730..... SEE WERE IAM GOING WITH THIS? IF I MAY ALSO PASS ON SOME CAREER ADVICE THAT HAS SERVED ME WELL FOR THE LAST 20 YRS-FIRE DEPARTMENT-GOOD PAY,GOOD RETIREMENT,GOOD PEOPLE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY

 

[EBottema]

Hey guys,



You are the best. I'm feeling somewhat better... I'm 20 as on 12am and not feeling any different. Kind of down on it... I know the career thing is down the road. . Well, i love working on cars but I dont know if I want to do only that for the rest of my life. I really would like to have my own used car dealer or some type of business dealing with the automotive industry and be a cop (out of Kalifornia)..... Not really a drinker here, more socally. . Cant stand what it does to friends and extended family in the past... I missed out on too many foolish teenage experiances with women so im stuck on that the most. I'm sure half of the rest of your felt that way, especially if you could be labeled as too much of a nice guy... Well thanks for the bday wishes, ill try to spend it well, going to class at 6:30pm isnt my idea but finals are this week



Thanks again!



Erik

 

[Boomer II]

Happy Birthday, my daughter just turned 20 this month. It's a lucky man that knows what he wants to do in life. I'd set a goal and work toward it, life is what happens while you're making plans.

 

[DennyDay]

20 years?

Repeat after me - - - - -





I will stay in school and finish school, it may take several years for me to decide what I want to do.



BUT - - - I will stay in school.





Best wishes, the first 20 are the toughest, but the next 50 are down hill



Denny

 

[Champane Flight]

See

See, you can now date Boomers daughter!

 

[mgonske]

Re: See

Originally posted by Champane Flight

See, you can now date Boomers daughter!

I don't think I'd ever want to risk dating a girl with a father like Boomer



Just kidding, Mike.



No, on second thought, I don't think I am... :-laf

 

[EBottema]

I will stay in school and finish school, it may take several years for me to decide what I want to do.

I will stay in school and finish school, it may take several years for me to decide what I want to do.

I will stay in school and finish school, it may take several years for me to decide what I want to do.

I will stay in school and finish school, it may take several years for me to decide what I want to do.

I will stay in school and finish school, it may take several years for me to decide what I want to do.









Thanks, my bday was good i guess, few friends forgot to call and send me a card but we know who are the true friends in the end. Got to grease the front end of my truck! Yippe!



Now, im offically in...

erik

 

[KennyM]

Here is what I did. Went to electronics school right out of high school. Was hired by a new company one month before graduation. I was twenty years old, living on my own with a great pay check. By 22 I bought my first house, ect.



Get the education first, worry about the rest later.

 

[jwdeeming]

I can't tell what it is you feel in "limbo" about - girls or career. But at your age, decisions you make now will shape the rest of your life. If you don't know what else to do, march your butt down to the local recruiter and sign up. Keep your nose clean, learn some self discipline, and stay in school of some sort until things clear up for you.



Sorry, but I disagree with the "have fun with the girls" thought. You get your act together and the girls will be there when you're ready. You roll dice with that game now and it can screw with the rest of your life (pun intended).