IU: The Fountain of Youth?

First I knew I was old when I referred to them as "kids." Am I that old that I call college students kids? Yes, somehow I crossed over the bridge of no return and forever separated myself from the youthful, carefree, kids. I even caught myself calling them that earlier and quickly tried to correct myself, only to say it hours later.

There are a few things I can do to deal with this situation.

1) Accept that I have officially converted to being an adult.

2) Cover up my verbal slip and refer to everyone as kids. I could go to work and in meetings say, "How many kids are coming to this meeting?" or "I'll email the kids about this estimate."

3) Get a job at a daycare.

4) Apply to be an undergrad again.

After deep consideration, I decided choice number 2, 3, and 4 won't really do much for me. Number 1 is something I will have to work through.

As the 40,000 "kids" arrive in Bloomington, I feel them closing in on my world. Just in recent days, the traffic has increased and stores and restaurants are filled with students. I have been avoiding Target for this very reason. I was advised not to go right now because of its insanity. I will try to stay away as long as I can, but how long can one hold out on Target?

Another thing, the "kids" are almost the reason this very post was not written. I have a confession...I don't exactly "purchase" internet. Usually when I arrive home, my computer just hooks up to the internet. I don't ask questions, but I like it. But now, not so much. My apartment complex isn't really a place for undergrads, but I think returning grad students have sucked my internet connection dry and I am not happy about it.

Today I met a friend at Starbucks and I couldn't even find a parking space because there were "kids" and their little cars everywhere. I luckily found a place not too far away, but it was almost like a walk of shame to Starbucks. I passed students partying outside at Kilroys, underagers eating outside at The Noodle Company, and trendy young guys exiting Urban Outfitters with bags I am sure were filled with graphic tee's. I kept my head down and tried not to make my work heels click too loud on the sidewalk. I didn't want to attract attention to myself and make the young ones think, "Is that a grad student? Nah, she looks too old." I know I don't really look much older than probably half of the college crowd, but I know inside that I am older. It is like a scarlet letter branded to my non-collegiate work-wear.

Before I arrived at Starbucks I passed an IU college clothing store and you know what was in the window? Class of 2020 t-shirts. What. 2020? It honestly stopped me in my tracks as I stared with big eyes and my mouth open wide looking through the window. 2020? I thought, "Wait, what year is it? 2008. Right? Yeah, 2008." Wait, pause, think. "The class starting now is class of 2012. My brain is going to explode. Why are their shirts for 2020?" (Side note: these weren't little kid shirts either, which added to my confusion.) I walked away dumbfounded.

I hope to get through these next few weeks without feeling awkwardly old. Maybe I will have to hit up Target in the morning, you know none of the kids will be there in the early hours. Ha, I'll show them! At least I got that one on them, which is just another supporting point of why I feel old. I get up early.