This is 22


 Over the weekend, I flew solo to Oregon for an interview. It was my first time renting a car on my own and staying in a hotel on my own and it was a very grown up thing for me. The weeks leading up to the trip I was definitely nervous. There may have been a tear shed over the idea of having no one to travel with and then I realized that I am 22 years old and I need to suck it up. (to put things lightly)

It was one of the best weekends. 

On Friday I arrived in Portland, rented my car, and drove the (should be) 45 minutes to Forest Grove. I hit lots of traffic but eventually made it in to what can only be described as a fairytale land. Oregon from the air reminded me of Italy in the spring with its green rolling hills and rivers. Driving through Oregon into Forest Grove made me feel like I was in some Cameron Crowe movie and my life was about to begin (when I'm alone in the car I tend to get dramatic). I put on a spotify playlist and just drove. 

On Saturday I had my interview and briefly talked to one of the other girls interviewing about possibly exploring Portland. But after sitting in my hotel room for an hour and a half waiting for her to get out of her interview so we could decide what to do, and watching the sun shine so brighly out of my window just beckoning me to explore outside, I knew I had to just leave. 

So I did. I drove to the coast.

I drove through the Tillamook forest (stunning!) and blasted my playlist as my excitement grew over finally seeing the Oregon coast. It was a liberating experience and definitely something I know I will look back on and smile. 

This time in my life is for spontaneous trips to the coast, eating at little hole-in-the-wall diners in Seaside, OR and drinking a glass of Chardonnay. This time is for embracing this single season and planning my own adventures. And this time is also about getting off a plane and 30 minutes later arriving to work as a waitress. 

This is 22.

2 comments:

Allie said...

I love this post! That's awesome that you were able to go by yourself and explore! I really want to work on doing that more. <3

Allie said...

It wasn't easy at times but definitely worth it! :)