When did I grow up?

I've been sitting in my room since I got back from Church this morning working on cover letters, applications, writing emails and looking at study abroad options. And the more I sit here the more it hits me- I'm growing up. No longer do I run to my parents when the littlest thing is wrong- instead it's my responsibility to find a solution and to work it out. I'll admit- my mom still calls to make my hair appointment and she does still call about dermatologist appointments and stuff, but for the most part it's now up to me. I live on my own, pay for my own things, and am responsible for myself. That's scary.

What's even scarier is the unknown of the next part of my life. Currently I'm applying for an Internship with Chick-fil-A to work with the Chick-fil-A bowl (not really holding my breath for that one but it's been an opportunity for me to create a professional resume and to practice writing a cover letter). I'm also looking and praying about where to study abroad Spring 2013. I know I'm going to France, I just don't know exactly where yet. Deadlines are coming up to apply for scholarships though and I'm reminded of how inadequate I feel in the "real world". Am I ready to travel overseas by myself? Am I ready to graduate in two years and find a job and support myself? The most comforting thing in all of this though- I'm not the only one going through this. I'm pretty sure all of my fellow classmates feel the same way. We're learning how to do this life on our own. In a way, cheesy as this analogy will be, we're like birds. When we were young we needed our parents for food, shelter and safety. Then came the day when they pushed you out of the nest and you had to learn how to fly or fall on your face. (That's college, in case any of you were falling behind.) And someday soon we'll have our own nest and be doing the exact same thing. My prayer is that even if I do fall on my face, at least it'll be in the process of learning how to fly.

So here's a good luck to all of you in this stage of life- applying for various things and thinking of the future. All you gotta do? Spread your wings and fly. :)

Jacks.