I titled this Blog "All Grown Up" for a specific reason even though those who know my current life status would get a good chuckle out of that. Why give your Blog the title of "All Grown Up" when you are a 22 year old (23 in two days) male living at home, still riding with mommy everyday. Yea, that's right, I'm a senior in college and my mom drops me off and picks me up from school everyday.
The term "all grown up" became my mantra at the beginning of 2008. I had just finished my third semester in college pulling off a solid 0.25 GPA (no that is not a typo). A couple days later I did a couple thousand dollars worth of damage to my mom's brand new $38,000 truck by spinning the tires, losing control, and crashing into two parked cars. Some people may think this is funny. Some may actually be laughing because this is mild mannered behavior, and they have "real" stories of what a young'n does while getting into trouble. Well this was not the actions of Johnny Nugent, the honors graduate with a 3.7 GPA and 27 ACT score that got a full paid ride through college (which was obviously pissed away by a 0.25 GPA).
So needless to say, I found out what "rock bottom" was, and I had just hit it. Beginning in 2008, it wasn't just a new year's resolution for me, it was a new life. It was time to leave behind Little Johnny, and start acting like I was all grown up.
Since my turning point, I have completed five semesters with a GPA of 3.87. I stopped viewing my job as simply a paycheck, and started using it as yet another avenue for learning and growing. My mom and dad were no longer "parents, ugh." Instead they were friends that have valuable life experience and knowledge that they truly wish to share so they can ensure a better future for me. My girlfriend, Cortney, no longer was just another girl that I was dating. She was a woman that had her s#!t together long before I did, and I suddenly realized if I was going to make it in this world, I needed that model of discipline by my side at all times. She knew what she wanted before I even considered thinking about what I wanted. She had her self-realization before I did, and she's two years younger than me. I stopped viewing the definition of "family" as required gatherings on Sundays and holidays. My family is my heart, and my best friends; they are the only ones that will truly be there for you no matter what (because you share the same last name, which will harm their reputation, of course).
All kidding aside, "all grown up" means realizing what you are doing in life, and having a reason for it. Yes, I am almost 23 years old, still living at home and still riding with mom to school, but it is all done for a reason. I am working for a better future, because I have a desire to be successful. And as far as I'm concerned, if you have the will and discipline to turn that desire into action, you may not be financially independent, but you are "all grown up."
John Nugent's
Everyone has the right to an opinion. Many of which are made without being informed and not having researched before making an expression. You are still a young man with many new and challenging days ahead of you. Learn something new every day and benefit from those more wise than yourself. Also, when writing on a public media such as blogspot, remember language and the useage thereof can come back to haunt you. Some of the wording of your post will be offensive to many, especially the older folk.
ReplyDeleteRemember also that participating if great discussion where opinions are expressed is in itself a learning tool if one opens their mind. In today's political arena, we see that everyone is locked into their own opinion and will not try to analize the other side to see if there is common ground.
Mr. Joe, I would agree with everything you said in your comment. As for my language in the blog, I am trying to strike a balance. I want to have a professionally presented blog, but I want absolute transparency into the mind of the author. It is never my intent to offend anyone, and I definitely do not want to push readers away. However, I cannot put up a false facade of who I am, what I think, and what I say. The beautiful thing about blogging is that it is your's. There is no one paying me to do this; no one is looking over my shoulder; I report to no one but myself. The words shit, piss, and ass are about the extent of my profanity, and those words have nearly become common dialect in today's society. They can be heard on basic cable television shows now. PG-13 movies say the F word in them, but I won't even go that far as to use that word. If critics have decided that a 13 year old with parental guidance can hear the words I occasionally use, then I don't regret my choice of language in a blog intended for adults. Profanity is pretty common in my day-to-day life, but I do not want this blog littered with it. I use it occasionally, not frequently. Regardless of my intent and usage, sorry to anyone if I offend.
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