I realize that I’ve only just started this project and have already fallen behind … but with students returning to campus, the last week has been completely overwhelming. Nonetheless, starting tomorrow (which is already today) I am going to work extra hard to add additional posts and catch up!
I have found myself pondering the reality of why there is not an organization that helps college grads and even seniors prepare for life post-grad.
I realize that individual universities are supposed to guide students and prepare them for life outside their hallowed halls … but the fact is, most don’t!
After they mail you that diploma – the next time you’ll hear from them will be a plea asking for money – I think they fail to realize that without a job one has no cash flow to provide a donation!
Though this may seem like a disconnect, things began to seem possible after seeing ‘Julie & Julia’ … I completely connected with Julie Powell’s character, and I have to admit she was part of my inspiration for starting to write again.
I loved that Julie was so real and brave and unafraid to show that she wasn’t perfect – that she struggled. If someday Julie and I were to meet, I would tell her how much I admire her for those qualities.
For those of you who have yet to read her book, or see the movie (or somehow have no idea what I’m talking about) Julie Powell worked for the Lower Manhattan Development Company as sort of a PR staff person whose job consisted of interacting and communicating with the Manhattan community and the families and individuals who were affected by 9/11.
At 29, Julie was trying to figure out how to create a more rewarding life for herself. Long story – short, she set a goal to cook her way through Julia Child’s cookbook ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’ over the course of one year, while writing about it in a blog just like this.
Just like she wanted to be a bridesmaid at Julia Child’s wedding in 1946, I would have wanted to be at her 30th birthday party in Queens. I would have asked her how she dealt with such a landmark year.
Even though my brain tells me that one day makes no difference … even though I know generations before me have lived to tell the tale of the day after their 25th birthday, I’m still trying to figure out how to change my life the way Julie Powell changed hers.
In 22 days I will have to deal with the daunting reality that I will officially be an adult (25). My parents told me the other day that I should buy life insurance … I think that made a little light go off in my mind. When I googled ‘turning 25’ the only subject that kept showing up had to do with rental cars and discounts … but then an article titled ‘the quarter life crisis’ popped up, and reading it reminded me that life is about what you make of it, and that it is as easy done as said – you just have to stay positive!
Toward the end of the movie, Julie is sitting in bed with her husband trying to figure out why Julia Child didn’t like the idea of her blog — and at first that ruined the film for me. (If you can’t tell already I like happy endings) But then, Julie’s husband tells her that Julia wasn’t the one who saved her .. that she was the one who saved herself. He tells her that the ‘Julia’ in Julie’s head was the one that counted. Julie could have given up then and there. But she didn’t – she chose to see the potential – the light – the possibility! Just as Julia was an inspiration for millions, you are now as well!
how to change the world 