23

Over the years on my birthday, I get nostalgic and think about what I did the year before. When I turned 13 I cried because I was a teenager. When I turned 20 I cried because I wasn't a teenager anymore. And last year I cried because I thought I had no other birthdays to look forward to. Once your 21, it's all the same the next fifteen years. Or so I've heard.

But last night, I fell asleep before midnight and woke up eleven hours later to a new voicemail from my mom, Seth, and Caleb. My mom told me the same story she tells me every birthday--that I was born at 1:20 pm and there was record breaking heat of 108 degrees in Little Rock that day but the hospital was well air conditioned. 

I thought I would be sad I wasn't in the city with my friends today, but the Marriott family knows how to celebrate birthdays. I was dropped off at the beach while Cara went to the gym and the kids were at camp. Typically when I'm at the beach I have to chase kids, build sandcastles, collect seashells, and fly kites. Of course, all that is good and fun, but it makes going to the beach by yourself to relax even more enjoyable. When Claire, Drew, and Hank got home from camp, they immediately said they wanted to go swimming. We all got our swimsuits on and when I came back downstairs, they were holding giant posters they made that said, "Happy Birthday Julie! We love you!" Hank gave me $2 of his own that he got from the tooth fairy, Claire picked out a broad-rimmed sun hat that wasn't floppy, and Drew helped me blow out my birthday candles. I asked them for a hug, and Claire refused of course. The Rosenkranz family came over, along with Jen-I, who gave me cards, chocolate, and new flip-flops. All the kids gave me underwater hugs and sang happy birthday to me underwater. 

All this to say, a birthday party at work in the Hamptons with 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10 year olds is pretty fun. I felt like a kid again at my neighborhood pool parties. 

I have a feeling this is going to be a good year. 

Nanny Diaries

Once upon a time, when I was in high school, I believed myself to be an introvert. A quiet, reserved girl who liked reading poetry and happened to be a cheerleader. But, my freshman year of college, my two roommates told me that I was undoubtedly an extrovert. I still had my suspicions. I remained a self-proclaimed introvert until my roommate Tessa, who is a guidance counselor so her opinion is legit, laughed when I said I wasn't sure if I was introverted or extroverted.

The main reason I'm discussing the two types of people in the world is because this past week I've realized I am absolutely an extrovert. I work Tuesday to Saturday in Quogue, Westhampton as a nanny for the Marriott family. When I was in Little Rock a month ago, all my friends and friend's moms squealed with jealous when I told them I was a nanny in the Hamptons. But the truth is, it's not as exciting as it sounds or looks in the movies. There's definitely no hot lifeguard or neighbor who sneaks into my room at night (unfortunately). I'm not meaning to complain about my job. I love the family, free food, queen size bed, washer and dryer in the basement, HBO on demand, the beach, and their dog Peaches. There are pros and cons to be a live in nanny, but that's beside the point of this post.

I aboslutely hate missing out on what my friends are doing while I'm at work. This past week I missed out on Harry Potter on opening night, Kat's birthday, Jo's work party, Union Pool, Royal Oak, Amanda's birthday party, and laying out on the roof. I almost missed out on seeing 500 Days of Summer, but luckily it was sold out so Kat is going with me today. Maybe I'm selfish and don't want my friends to have fun without me. Or maybe I just love my friends so much that I hate not experiencing life with them on a daily basis. Probably a little of both, which undoubtedly puts me in the extroverted category. I know some friends who would love to have a quite, peaceful house to themselves until the kids got home from Sportime camp. As for me, I read for a little, get bored, watch tv, and then wonder what I'd be doing tonight if I was in the city.

The good ones

keep you guessing. Right?

Yesterday, I felt twenty-one again

"Do you remember when twenty-one years was old?"

-Countdown by Phoenix

you remind me of home

I'm going back to work today, finally. I'm ready to see the kids and take Peaches for a walk along the Hudson. This weekend was exactly what I needed after a week on the couch.

I cleaned the apartment on Friday, which was cathartic to get rid of all the flu germs. We ate dinner at Stand and saw Away We Go, which was hilarious and heart felt. It rained a lot but the weather on Saturday was perfect for a cruise around Manhattan (thanks Kristin!) And yesterday we went to Renegade craft fair in McCarren Park which made me wish I had extra cash and was crafty myself. Kristin is planning on redecorating the living room which is amazing. I'm excited to continue making this apartment more of our own since we are staying here for another year. Then we went to church and ate a potluck dinner for the 4 year anniversary of Res Pres. It feels good to think of Brooklyn as home. 

It's pretty much impossible for me to think of living anywhere temporarily.  

it's the swine.

So I got the flu. Maybe it's the swine. I wouldn't know because I didn't go to the doctor. Good thing my dad is a pharmacist. I haven't left the house since Monday.

I've watched copious amounts of television and a kept a strict diet of orange juice, saltines, and chicken noodle soup. I had a Harry Potter movie marathon which made me even more excited about the Half Blood Prince, took quizzes like "Which celebrity would you marry?" on facebook, and slept for at least twelve hours each night.

I remember Kristin telling me when she had the flu she started talking to the tv, and now I understand why. I'm going stir crazy and hope that by tonight I'll feel well enough to go see a movie with friends who I haven't seen since Sunday.

an office job?

I'm 3 weeks into my life as a post graduate. I anticipated the only thing that would change in my life was more work and less homework. But, there have been other unexpected adjustments. 

This past weekend Kristin had the flu. And now Tessa has the flu. So I am patiently waiting for it to attack me and put me out of work for a week. Which is unfortunate since I don't have health insurance and don't get paid for sick days.

Nannying full time has been quite an adjustment to make, for me and for the kids. It's a very inconsistent job as far as interacting with the kids. Two weeks ago was great. Claire told me I was the best babysitter ever and would only sit by me. We went to Quague for the weekend and I worked 50 hours but it was great because we went to the beach, had fun, and got along. 

But, last week I totally forgot the fridge repairman was coming, didn't make it home before he got there, and then spent the rest of the week waiting for him to show up, which he never did. Then the kids argued about a tag-hide-and-seek spy game that Drew made up. For two hours they planned the rules, secret agent names, and weapon distribution as I attempted to warn them that bedtime was nigh. Finally, after Drew kicked Hank for changing his mind about playing darts to decide who would be it first, I told her to go to her room which resulted in tears, screaming, and all out rage. I was completely unable to calm her down so called mom and dad who came home early (which has never happened to me, ever!) 

Sometimes I feel like part of the family and at others an irresponsible employee. It's hard not to take work home and feel like I didn't perform my job well, at all. I'm learning not to take it personally when the kids don't do what I say or challenge me, because children by nature test boundaries to feel safe. 

All this to say life after college has surprised me. I'm looking forward to Jo moving in for the summer, Kat visiting,  trips to Little Rock, New Haven, Kansas City, Florida, California (hopefully)) and a booze cruise this weekend. But I don't want to complain about my job. I'm learning and really do love it. But at times, an office job does seem less dramatic and quiet.