Okay, let’s extend the age range a bit — 18-22. What are 3 great experiences you had (or trips you took, or people you met)?
We’re in the throes of college acceptances here in the Sanchez home (along with disappointments), and I keep trying to say that those years are what you make them, no matter where you are. You never know where your joys will come from!
I had the great experience of living overseas in England when I was 21 and completing my B.A. there. A whole school year, but only 9 credit hours to finish on my degree. Travel, travel, travel all throughout the U.K. (though, sadly, not Ireland) and Europe. The freedom of youth and time.
I fell in love for the first time and thought it was forever, so I married him at 23. Turns out I was wrong. The folly of youth.
I came to believe that words could change the world. This is most certainly true. My words haven’t yet, but words are, indeed, powerful. The idealism of youth.
These were some of the worst years of my life. But here goes:
1. I fell in love with New Mexico (after moving there)
2. I met and made a dear friend that I’m fortunate enough to still keep in touch with even though our lives have gone in different directions.
3. I spread my wings after living a very sheltered life and learned about myself.
1. I graduated from Basic Training in USAF, went to Technical School for 1 1/2 years.
2. I had 3 sons at 22.
3. I got my orders to Viet Nam at 22.
Ok, three things that made me happy in my early 20s…
1 – I fell in love for the first time and got married. That was a great time in my life, unfortunately I liked it a lot more than him! But…
2 – I had my first child when I was 21 – my son! One of the three greatest people in my life!
3- Quit my full time job and ran a daycare at home. That was really exciting to be able to be young and stay home with my first child. I was lucky to have great kids to watch as well!( I can’t even imagine doing that now though!)
I hope there isn’t too much disappointment about the college apps – is he staying in California? I am so not looking forward to doing that again next year!
The best thing to ever happen to me said, “yes.” I’ll never know why but am eternally thankful…
1) Age 18- I went off to U.C. Davis, living away from home for the first time.
2) Age 20- I backpacked through Europe for 5 weeks. This opened up the world-outside-of-America to me and changed my entire outlook on life. It’s now 25 years later and I travel around the world for a living.
3) Age 21 – I graduated from college and moved to Washington DC for nearly 2 years. Also a very eye-opening experience that led to my avocation of politics and government.
Well i think the best thing that happened to me was i got a great job at 18. I was hired as the Executive Assistant to the President and was head of 150 employees. I was a nobody and suddenly a somebody. It was a very challenging job, but it gave my career wings. A year later i met, Ruben while working at that company, i trained him to become a Loan Officer, he became the highest earning officer, and we married in 2005. Although, we are divorced now, i got a wonderful son and a whole new family in my life who i love very much, the Sanchez family. So there you go: 1. I got a great job 2. Found myself a husband and 3. Married
My life is completely different now, but i look back and appreciate all the experiences/challenges, i learned so much from them <3
1) I graduated college and began working towards my undergraduate degree.
2) I traveled – to Mexico, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and Texas (which were all big thing to a small town Ohio girl!).
3) I broke up with my high school and college boyfriend of 4 1/2 years (or, rather, he broke up with me). I didn’t realize it at the time, but that change propelled me on towards so many greater things, like life in CA eventually!
Oh my gosh, I loved reading all these! I’ve come back to this post and read these over a few times — I just love these stories. It sort of shows the randomness of life and how you just don’t know which direction the wind is going to cast you, huh? All these major life events or major learning opportunities, leading to other opportunities you couldn’t have imagined.