Thursday, October 23, 2008

What's your mental age?

We've heard many people use this term... sometimes in a derogatory manner. But the other day VR and I were discussing how we pretty much considered ourselves to be the age we were when we set foot on Cincinnati to begin our Masters degree. And it's been 4 years since then. And because of that, all of a sudden when my real age dawns on me, I feel disproportionately old. And it's unsettling. I think the reason behind this is that leaving India (or one's own country) and going to the US for a degree all by oneself was a big deal. And that was the last life-altering change that took place in our lives. Even including marriage. The responsibilities multiplied when we first had to live alone, cook alone and manage bills, accounts, shopping and what not alone all amongst trying to keep the grades high and those all-nighters for assignments, midterms and finals. And we each mastered our individualities, developed our personalities and the metamorphosis from dependent child to independent adult was fast completed. Which is why even after something as huge as a wedding, I still feel the same age as I was when I first went to the US. And all of a sudden, we're reading about these actresses and models, who are 1986 born and even later. And for one fleeting second, the thought crosses the mind - is it legal for them to work, even? And suddenly you realize it's 2008 and they're 22 and yes that's legal. And that time's going faster than you've accounted for. Hell... practically everyone you know is married or on the verge of even including the boys (men is more appropriate) of your age. Many of your classmates are having kids and it's obvious that we're all very very grown up. I guess it helps everyone to be at that comfortable age that they can relate to. For me, it's 23. What's yours?

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mine I think is 25-27. And thats what even people think I am at first sight. When I went to the hospital to get the stitches on saturday, the receptionist was telling the Doctor about me on the fone and said..."Age... 25". And I was so happy to hear that, but my mom corrected her and told 31 (:( :() and even she was stunned.

Anonymous said...

Sachin -> 25?? That's a bit much... Anyhoo at least someone thinks u r THAT young ;). So good for you.... And finally, it is important to be young at heart and thats what counts... Of course it helps us all if we end up looking deceptively young as well.

Anonymous said...

ammavukku endrum nnan kulandai
manavikkoo nnan erubhathi aindhu.
kulandhagaigalkku nnan pathu vayathu...
nimidangalkku matrum yenn .....:(

(yenakkum tamil koncham koncham theriyum )

Anonymous said...

Karmanna -> Konjam jaasti ayiduthu Tamil! :)

Anonymous said...

hmm, I think I will take 26. Best yr of my life :D Tho when I hit 25, I was thinking.. quarter century old and not a thing accomplished :P

Anonymous said...

Shiva -> Isn't that most of us? Usually we always tend to think we haven't utilized our entire potential at any given age.. Curiously why is 26 the best eyar of your life? I thought this should be it... :P

Anonymous said...

24 !

Anonymous said...

Greengrl-> Don't we all!

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