Since when did I become a grown-up?

The dictionary describes a “grown-up” as having reached the age of maturity. When I think of a “grown-up” I immediately think of my three very close friends that I speak to everyday who are all married and either have kids or are expecting soon, but never before did I put myself in that “grown up” category until now.

So when did this happen? Did it happen so effortlessly that I didn’t even realize it? Was it when I moved to NYC and started paying my own rent and bills? Or was it when I started calling the doctors to make my own appointments? Or perhaps it might have been when I was no longer able to sleep in past 10am? Or wait a minute... It’s now! Well friends, the time has finally come, the biggest commitment of my life thus far… No, I am not pregnant, and no I am not getting married…. I am (drum roll please) taking the leap and moving in with the bf of 6 years (yes I did say 6 years, lucky man!) on Saturday.

It’s a really strange feeling… I’m very excited, happy, nervous, anxious and every emotion you can imagine all wrapped up into one! I’m not going to lie – I’ve loved my single girl life living in NYC especially nights when I come home drink wine, watch Gossip Girls and order in. Does that still happen when you live with someone? Or am I now supposed to watch countless hours of Sports Center and forget my vices that I cherish so much? Is it time to compromise and move on with life and celebrate a new beginning – am I finally a grown up?

So in celebration of the occasion at hand I thought it would only be appropriate to list my version of….

You know you are a grown-up when…

10. You were told after you graduated that you are no longer covered under your parent's insurance plan and that you need to get your own... what does that mean, doctors aren't free? I am so confused.

9. When you realize that the plastic drawers aren’t going to cut it anymore and you might have to invest in a real bedroom set and start wanting things to match! I never used to care! What happened! They still work…

8. When you come home from work and there isn’t anyone making you dinner and you suddenly start to realize that lean cuisine is considered gourmet food to you now.

7. When instead of catching all of the reality shows you’d much rather watch 60 Minutes and the news to catch up on current affairs. Seriously, I remember my mom doing that and I’d always BEG to change the channel!

6. When you finally realize you have to start paying back your freaking student loans! Enough said. Moving on…

5. When you open the mailbox because you are so excited to get your new US Weekly and all you can find are bills and suddenly notice that they are all addressed to you. So now instead of buying that new jacket you have been gushing over in the French Connection windows (that would btw look great on Friday night) you have to pay the dentist for a cavity filling! What!!!!! How is that fair?

4. When you get excited that you got a Kitchen Aid Mixer for Christmas and love using it every chance you get! (Thanks Mom!)

3. When you wake up after a night out and realize that doing it all over again is NOT an option. (HA! Thanks Kristan!)

2. When you get terrible hangovers after a night out. Back in college of course I got the occasional hangover, but nothing compared to now. If I have more than 2 glasses of wine I feel queasy the next day, what happened to me!!! Damn you tolerance!

1. When you realize that all of your high school/college friends are one or more of the following… engaged, married, have children or dare I say it…..have a mortgage.

So what do you guys think? When did you know you were a grown-up? Are you there yet?

Why do women lie about their age?

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Oh no it finally happened… All of a sudden in the past couple months I have found myself starting to lie about my age. I mean I’m not sure if it’s intentional but it’s definitely not honest.

For example, a couple weeks ago I was out with someone I met at a networking event brainstorming and he very politely asked how old I was and of course I was a little taken back. Really sir? Asking a woman her age, shame on you! Didn’t your grandmother teach you anything? So, I kindly replied with “27.” It just popped out I swear, very confidentially however with hesitation, not because I was lying about my age but because why would he ask? “I’m 27.” Then suddenly I realized – Wait a minute, that doesn’t sound right. Aren’t I 28… and soon to be 28 ½ on May 19th? And I didn’t believe myself so I started to do the math in my head because I couldn’t fathom that I was 28 years old already! AHH!! I could no longer concentrate on the task at hand and I couldn’t help but wonder…. When in the world did I turn 28 years old, I’m almost 30! When my mom was 28 she had 2 kids and was married. I’m living solo in NYC and lying to people about my age!! Who am I? On my next birthday am I going to be receiving those cards that say “well you’re not looking any younger” that I always make fun of? Perhaps I need to make an appointment for Botox! Do I need a face lift? Help!!

Then a week later it happened again!! I was in a meeting at work and suddenly taken off guard. For those of you that don’t know, I work in an extremely corporate atmosphere so you can imagine how uncomfortable I felt and how bright red my face turned when I was speaking and someone suddenly took me aside and said, “Julie, how old are you… really?” And I replied with a simple answer, “A woman never reveals her age.” Isn’t that rude to ask? When did it become ok to ask a person’s age? Especially at work! Are you going to start judging me when you do know my age? Here’s the thing, if I was going to tell you my age then the questions would start to trickle in……“So why aren’t you married yet?” “You’re getting old, might want to think about children soon!” “What do you want to do with your life?” Ahh!

Then I started to wonder, why did I start lying about my age? Some may say it’s the simple fact that in our society we value the youthful women and it’s embarrassing to grow old. Others may say we don’t want to admit we are getting old, but I say.... it’s no one else’s business!

So to put a stop to the madness, I have learned never to reveal my age. So what… I may be 21 on blogger, 26 on myspace, 24 on Twitter, 25 on Facebook, and on every birthday I miraculously turn 21 or 24 again (depending on the mood)…. But who cares. Age is just a number, right?