...Later that Night

Ok, back to Friday night. What a strange, serendipitous night it was.

I met with Vicky at Benny's Bagels at 9:30 PM. It was great catching up - we talked about everything under the sun, which tends to happen when you haven't spent much one-on-one time with a good friend in four or five years.

Neither of us could remember the last time we hung out together. Sure we've seen each other at parties, alumnae events, and my wedding (as a bridesmaid). So, like I said, we had a lot of catching up to do.

In June Vicky received her ND (Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine), and is looking to establish her own practice. She is looking to get her foot in the door by leasing space from an already established ND, but this is turning into an arduous task. She's frustrated - she has this degree and can't get started.

Welcome to adult puberty: I was 25-26 when I entered it: moved away from home, for the second time (this time for good); completely finished with school (at least for now); couldn't find a marketing job (then I did, but that's a whole other kettle of fish)... I thought the world owed me something. I always managed to accomplish things if I put my mind to it - so why is the real world such a tough opponent? It isn't. You just have to learn how to get on its good side.

Lesson #1
The only person out there that owes you anything, is you. Yes, your family and friends can offer support, guidance, ideas, but only you can make things happen.

Lesson #2
Keep on setting goals. When I was in high school my goal in life was to graduate (check); go to university and get a degree (check); get another degree/diploma (check); start a career (check); get married (check). By the age of 27 I had accomplished my life goals. With nothing to focus on I became lost, felt like I wasn't accomplishing anything. Either this was the end of the line or time to make new life goals. I opted for the latter (both big and small): learn to knit; publish my short stories; take up Polynesian dancing; obtain my MFA in Creative Writing...

Lesson #3
The world is your oyster. As you enter adult puberty, you will no doubt go through a period of cynicism, when you realize that life really does suck and things don't seem to be rolling out as you planned. You become jaded, pissed off, confused. But then you realize that you possess the power to make changes - so that's what you do. Big changes, small changes, it doesn't matter. As you make these changes, you begin to return to a state of peace and optimism. You realize that life doesn't have to suck, it's just what you make of it.

Lesson #4
Roll with the punches. No matter how good you try to make things, there are always outside factors that you can't necessarily control. Take them as they come. No matter how bad things get, you will walk away from it a stronger, more knowledgeable person.

...this is essentially what I told Vicky, in a nutshell. I then offered to help her with a business and marketing plan to get her started. We spent the next couple of hours brainstorming, coming up with all sorts of ideas... then Maria Foster walked in.

Maria is also a sorority sister who pledged (sorry joined - damned political correctness) DPhiE in the 1980's. She volunteered as an advisor during my collegiate years. Neither Vicky or I have seen her in about three of four years. What are the odds...

If you've ever been to Benny's you will know that the servers will bring your food out to you and shout your name to find you. You will also know that they are perpetually stoned. Anyways, the server comes over to our area and yells "Siobhan." I was sure I didn't order anything; the woman sitting on the couch across from us, however said "right here." I had to ask...

"Excuse, is your name Siobhan?"
"Yes."
"Spelt S-i-o-b-h-a-n?"
"Yes."

It's always strange when I meet another Siobhan. We talked for a couple minutes, mostly about the mispronunciations and misspellings of our name.

Vicky and I chatted for a little while longer, until 1 AM.