Emerging Adulthood

via xkcd

This fascinating article was published recently in the New York Times. It discusses a breakthrough in developmental psychology; the possibility of a new life stage. This life stage has been coined by Jeffrey J. Arnett as"emerging adulthood" and is said to take place during the 20 somethings.

The article quotes Jeffrey J. Arnett, a professor of Clark University and leader in the movement acknowledging 20 somethings as a new life stage.
In the article Arnett says, [during emerging adulthood] "young men and women are more self-focused than at any other time of life, less certain about the future and yet also more optimistic, no matter what their economic background. This is where the “sense of possibilities” comes in, he says; they have not yet tempered their ideal­istic visions of what awaits. “The dreary, dead-end jobs, the bitter divorces, the disappointing and disrespectful children . . . none of them imagine that this is what the future holds for them,”

According to Arnett there are also many cultural implications that have played into emerging adulthood; " the need for more education to survive in an information-based economy; fewer entry-level jobs even after all that schooling; young people feeling less rush to marry because of the general acceptance of premarital sex, cohabitation and birth control; and young women feeling less rush to have babies given their wide range of career options and their access to assisted reproductive technology if they delay pregnancy beyond their most fertile years," says Arnett.

The article argues that if the life stage of "emerging adulthood" was accepted it could lead to as major of societal changes as the acceptance of adolescence in 1904. Such changes included the institution of child labor laws, increase of available education, and general provision and support for a life stage seen as critical in developing a healthy and adept adult mind.
Supporting the push for acknowledgment of emerging adulthood as a new life stage are the recent discovery's found surrounding the biological maturation of the brain. A longitudinal study of brain development sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health found that the brain does not fully develop until at least the age of 25 yrs. The article also provides many more insights into the brains of emerging adulthood all focusing on the incredible shaping and molding that occurs during this time of life.


Of all that was said for emerging adulthood in the NY times article I found the discussion on challenges of the life stage the most resonating. Living in a city of emerging adults I hear & feel myself the angst that comes with being in a place of possibilities.

This exerpt from the NY times article describes it well;
"“It’s somewhat terrifying,” writes a 25-year-old named Jennifer, “to think about all the things I’m supposed to be doing in order to ‘get somewhere’ successful: ‘Follow your passions, live your dreams, take risks, network with the right people, find mentors, be financially responsible, volunteer, work, think about or go to grad school, fall in love and maintain personal well-being, mental health and nutrition.’ When is there time to just be and enjoy?” Adds a 24-year-old from Virginia: “There is pressure to make decisions that will form the foundation for the rest of your life in your 20s. It’s almost as if having a range of limited options would be easier.”"

Checking in

pic via etsy :kikiandpollys shop

Ive been spending a lot of time enjoying the little things I love like waking up early, running through Golden Gate park/next to SF Bay, Spending sunday's cooking complicated recipe's, listening to new music & this American life podcasts, reading a mystery novel, spending time with friends & family and just simply being.

I've signed up for the Jane run half marathon and have been loving the Saturday long runs. Today was a steady six miles across the Golden Gate Bridge on a clear beautiful spring day. Life is good.

Easter is tommorrow so I've been busy preparing a ham and cleaning the house. Lots to do.

For dinner Im cooking up this soup..mmm a long time on my recipe to make list so Im excited to see how it turns out.

Released

pic via spinfly

"Born empty handed,
Die empty handed,
I witnessed life at it's fullest,
Empty handed."
-Marlo Morgan (author of Mutant Message Down Under)

Trip to NY

Just dreaming of taking a vacation.



I spent some time looking through places to stay on Homeaway. The site advertises private owners apartments with the cost ranging from $100-200 a night or $900-1000 a week.. often more affordable than the local hotels. When my husband and I visited Buenos Aires in Argentina we rented this way. Thanks to the exchange rate we were able to book a flat in Buenos Aires for a week with the total cost being $350...absolutely fabulous. So now Im thinking Brooklyn New York.

California Foster Care

via Witness LA

On any given day, 80,000 youngsters are in the state's care. Mostly low-income and minority, these children often struggle with mental or emotional problems. Two thirds of foster kids drop out of high school. As adults, many wind up homeless or in jail.

Foster children with serious mental or emotional problems are often confined for years in institutions.

It's not uncommon for foster children to grow up anxious or depressed. Public health agencies are obligated to help these kids, but the "revolving door" nature of the treatment creates more problems. "


Please check out this 3 part audio series on California Foster Care System from the California Report. It's one of the best description of the current foster care system that I have heard. It also gives a great description of some of the work being done to bring about change & improvement to the flawed system.

Part One: Changing the Odds of Foster Care

Part Two: As Long as It Takes

Part Three: Helping the Most Troubled Foster Kids

Into The Woods

Sequoia sempervirens!

On another mini-trip husband and I ventured across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods where we visited the California Redwoods. We were both in awe of how breathtakingly still it was. Somehow all the sound of the world seemed to be sucked out from the woods. Walking through the ancient forest sent us to another place where God's glory took command. Looking up into the branches hundreds of feet above we wondered what their stories were and what they had seen as most are 500-800 years old and the oldest being 1,200 years. A Park Ranger gave a brief history of the park, which husband and I found fascinating. Especially the part about a railroad that took people from the park up to Mt. Tamalpais, whose tracks were so steep and switch back that the ride down became one of the worlds first roller coaster rides! Being in the woods brought back a lot of memories for me as I spent some time when I was young running through the redwoods playing hide & seek. It was magical then and I was happy to discover that the feeling years later was no different.

None but Shining hours

Husband and I took a mini trip home to So-Cal to attend a family wedding (family on his side). The Groom was one of husband's cousins and the guests were primarily family members. As for the wedding itself it was beautiful and probably the nicest I've been to (other than my own of course :) ). But what struck me the most about this wedding were the people who were there-the new "family" that I had married into. I left that evening after dancing, laughing, drinking, and just having a good time thanking God for how incredibly blessed I am to be a part of such a remarkable family.

( from left: cousin, husband, sister in law, me)

Ode to Ube.

Scoop of Ube (pic via here)

Mitchells Ice cream shop is one of those must try places that is a foggy city staple. Its famous for it's unique variety of flavors including dulce de leche, avocado, and Ube (purple yam) my new favorite. Three nights ago we discovered that Mitchells is incredibly close to our apartment and since this discovery we have enjoyed its awesomeness two of the three nights. If you stop in SF you must try a scoop of Ube (ooo-bay) its to die for.

Whats new of late

(via Sunday in the City by sfgirlbybay)

Its been seven months since husband & I first moved to San Francisco and at last the feeling of familiarity has settled in. Streets are recognizable, we've developed our local "spots", habits & rituals have formed, and the general sensation of newness we felt upon first moving has faded. In a way its sad; almost like a loss. But I am glad to be a local; even though the shiny and new SF has dulled I still am in love with the seven miles by seven miles I call home.

In a city filled with so much there will always be some "new" left to experience & learn even when you are a local. The following is a list of the "new" of late:

(via JonBauer)

* Summer in the City: Wow has this been an experience. Its July, late July at that, a time when Im typically living for air conditioning and the So Cal Beaches. Here in SF July means something entierley different. In July the Fog has rolled in and cast out any sign of Sun. I leave my house wearing a scarf and a heavy jacket. Where picnics in the Park and bbq's were typical: Husband and I find ourselves cuddling under blankets eating warm bowls of chilli in complete confusion over this so called "summer".(via Dizzy Atmosphere)

* Insight into my neighborhood: Today was a futbol game and Im guessing Mexico won. Why do I know this when I dont watch sports. Well living in a highly hispanic area it was hard to miss the streets filled with families driving in their suv's waving the Mexican flags proudly from their car windows and honking unceasingly.

(via Sunday in the City by sfgirlbybay)

* Alemany Flea Market: This has been the Little Jewel of a discovery this past month. I've known about it for sometime, but hadn't scheduled time to go until recently. I went once a couple weeks ago and have since become and avid flea marketer. There you find original art, furniture, kitchen items, clothing, and other odds & ends- I could spend weeks filtering through the treasures that surface once a week at the Sunday Flea market. My purchases so far have been 2 wall pictures and a fruit basket. Husband is a true treasure hunter and has been completley jealous that his work schedule hasnt permitted him to come browsing with me. Its a dream and one of my favorite new rituals.

Symphony in the Park

Stern Grove is a beautiful park in the Sunset district of SF. Its one of those many areas where you can become so engulfed by nature that you forget your in a lively urban city. During summer they host free concerts in the outdoor ampitheater and I finally got a chance to make it to one last Sunday. Playing was the San Francisco Symphony. They did a lovely tribute to Roger and Hammerstein as well as some classical pieces. It was a fun experience and I hope to go again soon.

Sausalito Bike RIde

We got on the road around 12 in the afternoon and made our way to the Bart.
The Bart took us to the waterfront at the Embarcadero where we started our trek towards the Golden Gate.
Stopped at Crissy Field one of my favorite local spots to catch our breath, watch the kites, and see the picturesque view of the bay.
After a mostly "uphill" ride we made it to the bridge and prepared to bike to Sausalito on the other side. We made it and although, by the time we reached our destination we were both exhausted - it was a fabulous ride. In Sausalito we ate clam chowder, perused art Galleries, explored the local neighborhoods that reminded us of Santa Barbara, experienced pistachio ice cream, and took a nap in the park.

There is a ferry that takes you back from Sausalito to SF. It only holds 35 bikes per trip and runs infrequently. Unfortunatley our trip took place on a holiday weekend and everyone else apparently had the same great idea as we did and biked to the city across the Golden Gate. So when we expected to be home by 7pm we really made it home by 12am. Luckily we had no time schedule to make , so sitting and reading as we waited hours for the Ferry wasn't so bad.


It was a great day.

June Wedding

Husband and I attended our close friends wedding this past weekend. It was a lovely wedding on a cloudy day. Congratulations Brian & Bethany!

Bay to Breakers

I believe this was the 15th time husbands grandma has participated in the race. Amazing!

This is the first beaver dam I have come across in any race. We had to jump over the logs held by the "beavers" in order to pass.
It wouldnt be a race in SF without the hills. Looking back all you see is a sea of people.Dressing up as the "swine flu" was the popular costume of choice this year.

Sharks swim down stream...
... and Salmon swim up stream.
Husband and our dear friend find the SF chapter of their Alma mater along the race.

SF Zoo

1 Year Later.

Love is a temporary madness; it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have 
to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of eternal passion. That is just being in love, which any 
fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they 
find that they are one tree and not two.
From Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres



Our anniversary weekend in Tahoe was great. Thank you to all who supported us in this crazy year. Husband and I are so happy that life has finally somewhat slowed down and we can just be. Weve grown so much over this year and I cant believe all that has happened. Its been amazing.

Nevada Stories: The American Flats

The American Flats are located in the Comstock up near Virginia City, Nevada. At one time, when California was rich in gold & silver, the town was growing so fast that the residents petitioned the State Legislature to have the Capitol moved there. But when the gold and silver dried up, the town blew away and there's nothing left of it. The ruins that are there are what is left of the 20th-century gold & silver refining mills. Now it's a place where people venture for curiosity sake. To tell ghosts stories, and admire or take part in the grafitti art that has come to cover the ruins. While on our weekend excursion to Tahoe we went with friends to visit the flats and stopped at the local Saloons for some bloody mary's and whisky.