Name: Timi

Age: 23

Location: Houston

Occupation: 6th grade zoo keeper teacher

Where “are” you right now?:
I’m at the point in my life where I’m technically grown but I’m not grown grown. I’m a fake grown up and I think everyone around me knows it. I live at home with my parents in the suburbs. I am constantly late to work; I am infamous for my “semi-appropriate work clothes” which is a combination of my college wardrobe and thrift finds; and I still get lost driving around the city.

Also, first-year teaching has been the biggest challenge I have ever faced. But, as stressful as teaching can be, it’s like character-building boot camp. If you have insecurities or flaws that you’d like to keep hidden, don’t become a teacher. With kids, all hidden things come to the light. My students quickly noticed out that I am forgetful and clumsy, that my hair never stays the same for long, and that the backs of my ankles refuse to lotion. At the middle school age, they can be very blunt about their observation, so I learned quickly to laugh it off and not take it to heart.

Tell us about your post college life:
I’m at an awkward place in my post college life. I feel like a rubber band that is being stretched further than it’s ever been stretched before. But like a rubber band, I am resilient. This year has come with some surprises though:

No one told me I would become my father (I use his discipline techniques all the time).

No one told me that my hygiene would suffer for the first few months (semester).

Or that I would see no one but 11-14 year olds day in and day out.

Or that I would develop a compulsive need to go thrifting to relieve stress.

Or even that I would spend my hour-long drive every day contemplating the meaning of my life.

On the other hand, this year I have become very comfortable (maybe too comfortable) with being by myself. Eventually, loneliness was replaced by contentment and I began to cherish times with my friends more because I wasn’t around them all the time like I was in college. I’ve learned a lot about myself. I have realized that when I want something, I go get it — but I can be paradoxically bold and shy at the same time. I’ve spent a lot of time getting to know myself and I’m content with who I am.

I’ve been in this “I love myself” phase for a couple of years, but I’m wondering if I’m finally ready for that “I love somebody else too” moment to happen.

Upside to your current situation:
I have no rent, no bills! I get to hang out with my family whenever I want. I get to enjoy my mother and father’s good home-cooked meals. There’s nothing like a bowl of okra soup to melt your troubles away. The bum in me is having a blast!

Downside to your current situation:
Living have home has seriously ruined my mojo. When people invite me to happy hours or parties, I find myself trying to think ways to either excuse myself from the party early or mention it to my parents in a non-alarming way. I have to flippantly say “Oh I’m just going to a birthday party with some friends” when I’m actually going to a party or something. And I’m not a good liar, so I don’t even try most of the time. I’ve had, since I first entered college, an irrational fear that if ever I’m out losing my inhibitions and my mind, that my parents, my pastor, or someone will see me. I highly doubt I’d bump into my dad at a club, but the mere thought kills the mood for me.

What do you see yourself doing 5 years from now?
I plan on going to graduate school and getting my phD. I ultimately want to be a university professor. Most likely, I am going to venture outside of Texas. I want to see the rest of the U.S.

If you could tell College Timi something about Post College Timi, what would you tell her?
If I could tell College Timi something I would tell her to SLOW DOWN, study abroad, and loosen up. My last year of college, I had a few leadership positions and I felt like eyes were always on me. It wasn’t always easy for me to let my hair(puff) down.

What other stuff do you like to do apart from your paid job?
If I could be a paid blogger, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I love chronicling my adventures on my blog naturalechronicles.wordpress.com. The blog world has so many fascinating people. Whenever we meet up, they enrich my life in so many ways and I learn a lot from them.

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