The Early Adult Years

Flag football DZ bowl champions- Back 2 Back

The chapter opens up talking about individuals emerging into adulthood and exploring their many possibilities off choices for the future and make frequent changes of direction in love, work, and education.  At the age of 17 the future was definitely not on my mind! I did not know what I wanted to do for a living, I did not know what I wanted to major in, I didn't mind living at home.  I knew I had an interest in the military but my parents always wanted me to finish school before I joined.  I was beginning to finally find myself as an individual; not fully, but after graduating high school I extended on a few of my own things without Matthew!
I finally began to mature during my first year of junior college.  I had put on 30 pounds since high school, going from 130 pounds to 160.  I got into weight lifting with a friend of mine.  We went to the gym six days a week.  That was my comfort zone, especially because I was finally growing into myself.  I was playing in adult softball and flag football league with some old friends I played with in high school.  I was having a blast!
 After Junior College I transferred to Cal State Northridge.  This is where I really found my own identity which I believe was mostly due to the fact that I was still in LA and Matthew moved up to Fresno to attend Fresno State on a full ride for golf.  We were finally separate, and able to make our own groups of friends.  When people meet us and get to know us separately it is much easier to tell us apart.  This whole time I was having my early adult transition period.  I am the first founding father of Tau Omega Rho.  It is a local fraternity at CSUN.  There are 11 founding fathers.  I am the first, and the first President of TOP.  We just had our three year anniversary last year and have 50+ members! TOP is now one of the most successful fraternities at CSUN in regards to membership numbers, grades, and philanthropy fundraising.  We have also won the All University Cup since the semester we were founded; this includes best in sports throughout the semester, grades are also included.  It is a huge part of my life and something I am very proud of!

Founding Fathers of T.O.P.

I was right on schedule at twenty two years old going into my entry life structure period.  I was thinking more about my military endeavors, finishing school and dreaming about the future.  I attended Marine Corps Officer Candidates School which solidified me joining the military.  After tearing all the ligaments in my ankle and having a rehab timeline of at least a year I decided to extend my college and go to grad school.  A fitness graduate assistant-ship brought me out to SFA.   While I have structure and know what I want to do I would agree with the reading and say that I am in the emerging adulthood stage! I would not say I am an adult but enjoy the freedom and abilities of acting like I am one.  It is a very strange time because I like to think I am a full adult but deep down I know that I am not quite there yet. 
In the article it states that the emerging adulthood stage is the most self-focused age of life.  I was very self-focused during my undergrad.  I was all about me, finding myself, figuring out what I wanted, doing what made me comfortable and did not want a relationship.  Now that I have grown just a year older it is unreal what I have settled down to do.  I have turned into being unselfish, sharing great times with my girlfriend and putting her before me.  It was a very strange feeling at first but it has turned out awesome! I feel that I am just ready for the next stage.  Ready to start a career in the military and see where the rest takes me!
Before I end this journal I wanted to mention a funny "twin thing."  While I was at CSUN, Matthew brought his group of Fresno State friends down to visit.  It was funny when the two groups met; It was like we could interchange them all. Our groups were so similar in personalities and members it was freaky! We were able to find our own identity while connecting two groups of people that have been able to maintain friendships to this day!

First year of Fall Rush!

Now I am attending Steven F. Austin.  I will be done with graduate school in December and will ship off to Great Lakes, ILL. on Jan. 24th for Navy boot camp.  Currently I am excited for two things; going to SEAL preparatory school  and my wonderful relationship I have with my girlfriend Stephanie.  I believe this is part of my structuring phase.  I am looking forward to the future career plans and a great relationship with Steph! She is awesome and so far all is well, we are eight months strong!

Stephanie and I outside of the Magic Castle in Hollywood