Wild Child

Today, I have stayed in.

There are many benefits to being an adult. Independence is one of them. I can go out any night of the week and while people care where I am or if I'll be around for dinner, no-one will expect me to give them a play-by-play or demand that I do what they say. I don't need to consult anyone else to do what I want to do. This ties in with the freedom of being single, which is not to be sniffed at. Yes, it would be nice to cosy up in bed with a boy and a blanket, but there's always time for that.

Last week was a heavy week, socially speaking. I was out four of five evenings, but home before midnight for all but one of them, which is the best way to be, especially when there's a full working day ahead of you. And for your benefit, and for my own personal reminder that I have not gotten too old and boring just yet, I shall lay it out for you...

First was drinks with an old housemate to celebrate her birthday. Not a late one, because we're past the big two-one now and now it's just a flinch with every digit that's added. Eeek, how ancient are we? A good chance to catch-up and find out more about the daily life of someone I used to see every day, but now average around once a month, which is odd but not that odd.

Next up was the band. I'm with the band, haven't you always wanted to be able to say that legitimately? Well, I did. I was on the guest list and I didn't pay for entry and I was that oddball that dances madly and knows the words to this niche folksy indie band that no-one's heard of. It was awesome. The main act wasn't half bad either. And afterwards? We went for drinks with the band; we got bought drinks by THE BAND. On the whole, it was a cheap yet fantastic evening. Though I was one of the youngest ones there, which was also strange to see in a place that's usually filled with people a similar age to me.

In complete contrast, the following night was Disney on Ice, which was filled with people a quarter of my age, as well as those who were at least a decade or two older. I love that I'm at such an age and place in my life that I can appreciate both of these totally different experiences on consecutive nights. The ice-skating was amazing, the princesses beautiful and the princes handsome, as it should be. And it was full of wishes and magic and dancing and singing and all the stories we know and adore. Wonderful.

As the weekend arrived, it was a crazy night out at the neon glow bowling alley. We were the last ones left there and I lost quite spectaculary across two games, even without an ounce of alcohol in my system. But it was ultimate fun and lovely to be able to spend time with people I only tend to see once or twice a season. Even if I did feel like a bit of a seventh part of a six-wheeled car especially when the talk swung 'round to engagement rings. I'm fairly sure I'm going to live the cliché within the next five years or so. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. But there's still time, always time.

So mixed in with the chemistry, the cooking, the lab and the laundry, that was my week. Living with your friends is like having a slumber party every night and yesterday my housemate put Archers in the fruit salad. Today, I made a snowflake out of filter paper and I still get excited about christmas.

I may be an adult, but I'm not all grown-up yet.

On the jukebox: Peter Pan ~ You Can Fly