Just be.

Okay fine. I know the answer. It's this.

There is a question I often ask myself - especially as I approach my birthday, on the other end of which I will officially be past the half-way mark of my twenties. And since our twenties are the decade society has determined we should spend furiously calculating the foundation for our entire life [career path, soul mate, house, child-plan / bun-in-the-oven / two small children running around], I have been asking myself this question more often than not.

What do I really want to be when I grow up?

My answer? I have no freakin clue.

This idea of "growing up" is something I have come to realize happens very slowly. So slowly in fact, that until you sit down to really reflect on everything you have weathered and how far you've come, it feels as if it isn't happening at all (well, let's get real, it feels like it's happening to my ass every time I  eat a cupcake, but you see, I'm mostly referring to the increase of courage, direction, motivation, mental clarity and emotional growth - not the fat on my ass).

In my experience, I used to always link knowing to growing. I thought that it was only when I had captured the wisdom to know the answer that I was capable and worthy of taking the next step forward. In turn, I would find myself feeling extremely stunted, because right now, like most of us, I don't know jack. I have no idea what my real life's grand purpose is and how that should translate eloquently to my career, relationships and investments. And in lieu of knowing these things, I drink a lot of wine and eat a lot of cheese, feeling like an outlier in some mystical upward trend to awesome.

For some of us, this may look like staying in a dead-end, soul-sucking job, relationship and/or city because we don't know what to do instead. For all of us, it feels like being stuck, unsure of what the "best" or "right" thing to do is, magnified by this misconception we are supposed to be perfect, constantly moving forward, changing the world and kicking ass, all while staying really fit - because what is success without rock hard abs?

WHATEVER FRANCINE - you have problems too.

Where does this misconception come from? Well, we do that thing that EVERYONE does - we look around and think - damn, everyone else seems to have it so figured out (thanks Facebook for that delusional dump to our self-esteem). We think - Lou Lou just passed the bar exam and is going to become the world's best lawyer. Francine just had a baby with her adorbs husband who makes six figures so she can stay home and instagram pics of her body miraculously snapping back into size 2 shape. And Paprika, who lived down the hall from you freshman year of college who you spoke to maybe a total of 3.5 times (being drunk only accounts for 0.5 of a conversation), well she just won the freakin lottery.

After measuring yourself against (stalking) these people for hours, you end up feeling completely alone and left behind. You think - I might as well have the maturity of a teenie bopper with nothing figured out, outside of which lip-smackers flavor and boy band is the best in all the land.

But guess what - they don't know jack either. They might be skinny and rich, but whatever - their names are Lou Lou, Francine and Paprika so likely the universe decided to throw them one. We all have questions in our lives, pauses, tragedies, ailments and misunderstandings that scar our security and injure our sense of self. We are all facing something and no matter how old we get, we will never have it all figured out. We may never fully "grow up" but that doesn't mean we're not growing.

We are - every day. With every glass of wine and every cube of cheese, we are moving forward (and becoming more constipated, but whatever, that's my issue, not yours). We may feel like we are the only ones not following a magical trail of bread crumbs leading to the promise land of an awesome life. But perhaps instead of panicking that you haven't found a crumb, buy a whole damn loaf of bread, bust it open Aladdin-style with a friend (or a monkey named Abu), and stop hating on yourself.

Doesn't this look like more fun than self-loathing?

The crumb will come eventually. And if you have the courage to follow it, it will lead to another crumb. And it might not feel like it at all, but when you look back on this decade you will see so many crumbs, so much growth and so much success. Just make one small step toward something that makes you happy in this moment and stop worrying so much about what you're going to be when "this" or when "that."

Just be who you are right now. Do what makes you happy. The rest will figure itself out.

How do I know this, if I don't know jack? The truth is I'm not certain of any of this. But this is what I tell myself to get unstuck. This is what I tell myself to feel hopeful and happy. This is what I tell myself to legitimize my bread, cheese and wine intake.

And so, I thought I would tell it to you too.

Family and Fall

The family

This past weekend my small family met up in Quechee, Vermont at my Poppy's condo for a brief family reunion - and by reunion I mean 11 people (I am not entirely sure that number counts as a "reunion" but for the sake of the story, let's go with it).

This is the first time that my sister and I have introduced boyfriends to the extended family at the same time, and it was a blast. Everyone got along so well, and I personally think for the rest of our lives my sister, Justin, Erik and me will be the four best friends that anyone could ever have in all the land.

This is how I feel about Fall in New England

The trip started in Boston, which is by-far my favorite city outside of Nashville. Yes, my sister lives there which definitely influences the amazeball-factor, but since spending time exploring the different neighborhoods over the past few years, it is one of the few cities I truly miss upon leaving (with the exception of Disney World, which I miss all the time, every breath I take, every move I make). I also have had the intentional pleasure of visiting when it is not winter, which likely skews my idealized perception since winter is not my friend. And it will continue to not be my friend until Princess Elsa's ice castle becomes apart of that whole deal.

But I am starting to wonder if Fall in Boston would make it all worth it.

I grew up in CT until I was 15, but I had forgotten the undeniable magic of Fall in New England. I was probably too busy learning Britney Spears choreography in my bedroom with a boombox and a full length mirror to even notice how lucky I was to grow up in a Thomas Kinkade portrait. From the crisp air to the vibrant colors of the changing leaves, to the football teams that don't completely suck (not like I watch football, but if I did it would be awesome to care about teams that didn't completely suck....).

And as for Boston, the city itself with all its rich history, versatile architecture, stunning harbors and super cool sisters is the perfect combination of charm and beauty. If it didn't endure a never-ending snowpocalypse from November - May, I would definitely consider living there. ANYWAYS - I digress.

After an awesome day in Boston with my sister, Justin and my parents, we drove 2 1/2 hours to Quechee (sadly in the rain) belting out every song to XM's The Blend (which might end up delaying the whole put-a-ring-on-it scenario, but love is blind, right?). We arrived and spent a lovely two days with my Poppy and his wife Claire, my Aunt Linda and Uncles Hardy and Ronnie. We went apple picking, played corn hole, walked through the streets of Hanover and Dartmouth, checked out some antique stores (during which I drank a pumpkin-spice latte in the doorway choosing liquid heaven over old stuff I can't afford). And of course, we enjoyed a delicious variety of cheeses (among other foods I topped with a variety of delicious cheeses) every step of the way.

It was a delightful weekend and an exciting precursor to all the fun we will have this Thanksgiving, and all the many years to come. The morale of the story: New England in the Fall, family, XM's The Blend and cheese assortments rock. The end.

Getting found.

Roomies!

Erik has been home now for almost two months. When looking back at my last post, we can all deduce quite quickly that I haven't written here in almost two months as well. My immediate reaction to this is - well Jenny, you suck. You go on and on about personal growth in his absence and he comes home and suddenly your passions go radio silent. There is some truth to that self-(disgust) evaluation. But to truly understand the reasons I have been too busy to retreat to this white box with entertaining words of honeymooning, cupcakes and rainbows, we have to have a real time talk.

I now live with a boy.

Please don't get me wrong - it is a fabulous and wonderful progression to have him (and all of his stuff) home and in my one-bedroom 800 sq. ft apartment. It is a magical experience to learn all of the nuances of what they mean when they say "men are from mars and women are from venus." I now watch a lot of Animal Planet and I actually know what is going on with world news. There is an endless array of mac and cheese in my pantry calling upon every fiber of my willpower to not inhale, which hey - who doesn't like a little challenge? I've learned the difference between an XBox and a playstation, and the importance of having a "control center" computer set-up to tackle daily tasks. I now live with a boy and it has been a little bit busy in adjusting to all of that.

But I really do love that boy. 

And having him home has been the most awesome and exciting chapter. Yes, it has been naturally overwhelming at times, but I would not trade it. There is a term in the army called "out-processing" which essentially means reintegrating a solider back into normal everyday life after being deployed. While Erik has been incredible in this transition, I think I underestimated the amount of processing - in, out, up, down - I would be doing simultaneously as we figure out this next season together - a season we anticipated and prayed for, and yet at the same time had no idea what its climate would look and feel like.

And it looks like I have to hit the gym more often to work off the mac and cheese on my ass, and yet it feels like the best thing that ever happened to me. 

This is what we do for fun. SPACE IS COMING!

It has kept us busy as we get to know each other all over again, visit with friends, work to keep my job and find him a new one (as he will be officially out of the Army in January), figure out how to avoid going to the grocery store every three days (for more mac and cheese), save money, find a new apartment (to fit all the mac and cheese), write two columns every week for 12 & Broad, stay fit (three words: mac. and. cheese), be awesome... you know, all the things I would like to happen effortlessly on a daily basis. And sometimes I go insane.

Why? Because it is not all happening perfectly, at the same time, right this minute.

But I think that is the lesson of the year - good things come to those who have the patience and the faith to wait and know they will arrive. After all - Erik arrived safely back in July and with that, life became ever more sweet (and mac-and-cheesy). Nothing is perfect, but everything works out as it should.

He does most of the "finding" normally. #imchallenged

And while it is not always easy, no matter what season of life we are in, we must stop and take time to do things that are completely untied from anyone's expectations but our own - like writing here, in this safe space. A space that allows for typos and imperfections. A space that rambles harmoniously as the thoughts flow from my brain through my fingers to rest here peacefully (or disjointedly but whatever - it's my blog so I can say what I want). A space that, lucky for my ego, is judged only silently in your head, which is a space I never have to visit. 

Find your version of this space, and rest in it more often. I promise once you do, you will feel very found. And while you're at it - live with a boy. You will learn more about yourself than you ever thought possible, and with him by your side, you'll sleep like you took an ambien (by far my favorite perk).

A New Day Has Come

WOOOOOO!

We need to take a minute to get caught up. I am fully aware I have left you all high and dry with zero closure on The Bachelorette, and only Facebook glimpses of jazz hands, feathers, by lines and airport rendezvous that may allude to why... but I feel like I owe you a decent explanation.

First and foremost, as many of you know, Erik came home two months early from his deployment in Afghanistan. This is an absolute blessing and answered prayer, and having him home safely is the best gift I've ever received (sorry mom, that Nintendo 64 for Christmas in '96 has now been trumped). I want to take this opportunity to thank mine and Erik's amazing parents, my sister who was my rock, and my incredibly patient, supportive and hilarious friends and BOHAN family. Let's also throw in the random people in the grocery store or on the side of the street I may have word-vomited to in passing... you guys rock too. We both could not have gotten through the deployment as smoothly and strongly without you all rooting us on. It has meant the world.

Yep. This happened.

The time apart, while grueling in many ways, was a rare opportunity for me to keep busy with things I have always wanted to do but simply did not pursue for a variety of reasons. I reprised my role as a Bird Girl in a community theater production of Seussical the Musical which was an exhausting yet wonderful experience. I also took on a freelance writing position for 12th and Broad, which has been a dream come true in many ways. Tapping back into this creative part of who I am has been a great lesson in the importance of doing what you love, regardless of the paycheck associated with it (no, I was not paid to shake my tail feather - they got that magic FOR FREE). I think this deployment served my soul as much as it has served the strength of our relationship, and for that, I see the many blessings that at times felt very much in disguise.

I'm famous! Kind of...  not really.

Now to the part of this post you clicked in to read - ANDI, ANDI, ANDI..... hiyaya... woah. Sorry - wrong season.... but seriously what a ride this chick put us on. The moral of the story is that Andi is bat shit cray. When not resuscitating Josh with her lips, she was constantly complaining, whining and fussing about her fears and concerns, and later oozing with adoration and "feelings never felt before" about her time with Nick (to my confusion because I found him utterly boring). She completely flipped a 180 at the final hour, which was shocking.

I felt very bad for Nick - I would have been completely blind-sided after the way she acted. At the same time, it was very uncool of him to call her out for sleeping with him during the show.... low blow.... I was expecting Josh to come out with his furrowed Ernie brow in a rage and for once this show would have delivered on being the most dramatic finale ever (Jerry! Jerry!). But no dice, everyone stayed composed, including Andi (shockingly) and I think it's time for Nick to move on. Maybe he should audition for community theater.

Well this looks like we're having fun....

Anyways, I was not a fan of either guy, but of the two, I think Josh was the better fit. They are in la la land right now, but their fiery personalities will likely make for some conflict down the road - not so sure these two will last. I think the decision came down to convenience - they are both from Atlanta, he is completely infatuated with her despite being a big (semi-douchey) jock, and in turn, her high school fantasy came true. Hopefully Andi will be bumping under an ultra-sound machine on national TV in no time.... um.. WHAT?! Let's never do that again ABC... that crossed some lines.

I am sorry I bailed out on the weekly recaps, but given everything else, there was just not enough time in the day to talk about Andi, all the frowns, all the scarves, and all the drama.

You just totally get me.

And with this post (and with paying off my many credit cards from eating and shopping my feelings the past four months), I am happily ringing in a new chapter with a deep appreciation for enjoying the present, appreciating the gifts (big and small) of each day, and not taking for granted the people in your life that you love.

To quote the epic and forever worshiped Celine Dion, I am no longer "all by myself" because "a new day has come" due to "the power of love" and "because you loved me" and supported me and were wonderful, and "that's the way it is" and I am FREAKIN PUMPED ABOUT IT.

You must be swift as a coursing river.....

Mulan = Dylan. Captain Li Shang = Andi.

This season on The Bachelorette, there are some boys and there are some men (and then there are some men that like boys... but most of those have already made their exit). If you have been watching even highlights of this season, you would have picked up by now that Andi is all about the MAN. In fact, if she has to bust out into Mulan's "Be A Man" at any point in this journey, consider yourself kicked to the curb. But what is the true key to "being a man" in Andi's book? Let's break it down while we recap last night's episode of this thrilling adventure. 

How to: Be a Man

1. Wear a neck scarf, and never take it off. Even when inside. Even when having heated conversations. Neck scarfs = manhood. 

2. Drink a lot of red wine and then proceed to have confrontational conversations - alcohol induced projection of one's rejection is critical.

Let the scarf do the work for you.

3. Answer all of Andi's probing questions with an elaborate and vulnerable answer. Bleed your love, or face the fussy-faced attorney.

4. Kiss attacks are a must. Any time. Any place. Any where (except for on sacred ground where religious morality (sexual tension) takes precedence over make-out sessions.

5. Even though you look like a super model, if you don't talk, kiss attack, or have a personality (read: Dylan) you are not cutting it.

Resting pout face = true love.

6. Say things that evoke a pouty frown face. The more Andi pouts, the more her love for your manliness is growing.

7. Be ruthless, sneaky and seductive, even if that means being hated by everyone else around you.

8. Be the kind of parent who babies his little boy into being sneaky and ruthless like you, and over-protects his little girl so that she is insecure and defensive like mommy.

9. Wear a beaded bracelet that dances on your wrist while you swirl your wine glass (read: Marcus).

10. Cry to the camera about how deep your love for Andi runs (this was actually a believable moment, Nick - way to have a moment of authenticity).

Dear Andi: Will you be my Bert?

BONUS: Look like Ernie from Sesame Street.

In a nutshell:
We are in Brussels, Belgium (which makes me want sprouts and a waffle, stat)

Marcus and Andi have the first one-on-one. Marcus is A MAN.

Josh and Andi have the second one-on-one - Josh is his normal, smouldering, douchey self and finally breaks down to confess he is falling for Andi. Naturally this validation makes her light up like a small puppy who just found something substantial to rub up against.

Nick sneaks out and stages a pathetic scene with the hotel lobby to find out Andi's room number (ps - now we know this resort is a prime location for stalkers to prey). She is super surprised to see him and only feels guilty for an itsy bitsy minute. They have a passion that speaks novels.

The group date is at a monastery - everyone dumps their heart out to Andi, including Chris who even took it upon himself to recreate the epic scene from Ghost in a pottery barn - but Nick gets the rose, as he expected. Panic ensues. Drunken red wine cat fights emerge back at the hotel among the guys.

The guys continue to fight lips and dingdong for Andi's affection. But ultimately Dylan and Brian do not make the cut, and are sent home.

Make-outs and Jenny, equally in demand

So much truth happening.

Okay, you guys, we have to make this speedy because here is the situation. In addition to my freelance writing gig and having a big-girl full-time job, I have also been cast in a community theater musical which now rehearses every night until the end of time (aka this musical has already made me more dramatic than usual and I really just mean until the end of July which = the end of Bachelorette season).

I tried to tell the directors that I have a weekly conflict on Mondays from 7 - 9pm for a corporation called ABC, and they did not seem to think that merited my absence. That said, when I get home from rehearsal at 10pm, I feel this immense amount of pressure to join you all in your knowledge of the latest happenings in Andi's quest to find love by watching the episode, taking notes, waking up tired and trying to slip in time to write my update during a full-on work day (since after work I have my freelance writing and rehearsal all over again). It is tough being this in-demand (see what I mean about dramatic?!). Time is slipping away from me and I have just wasted ten minutes of it explaining this all to you, but I feel like you have a right to know why this update might have typos, tense changes and be drab and lackluster.

Now it is back on track with Andi and her quest to find the person that pisses her off the least often...

We start the episode in Venice, Italy - Andi has been here before, it is super duper romantic, the most romantic city in all the world, yadda yadda yadda. The guys show up and Andi announces the first one-on-one date is with Nick because she has a ton of jeopardy-style questions to get cleared up from him in between their gondola-riding face-sucking adventure date.

Monkey-man, Cody, is devastated he does not get the one-on-one since he is the only guy so far who has not had a chance to win Andi over in a more intimate setting (likely because there has never been chemistry between them and he has made it this far simply because his teddy bear heart mixed with his steroid-induced outbursts are entertaining to the producers). We watch his muscles flex as he stews in his black tank top over being the "odd duck out." Little does he know, he is not a duck. He is a monkey.

Something about being in the most romantic city in the world with Nick makes all of those hard-pressing questions melt away. As the guys astutely mention, if she really wanted to get questions answered instead of get her mack-on she would have saved Nick for the lie-detector group date. Or better yet, she could have saved him for a one-on-one date Juan-Pablo-style in the muddy jungles of Vietnam. But as per usual, she picks the most romantic setting to "test the waters" - leading with her hoohah yet again. She feels so much better about Nick and his intentions now that he has used his tongue as a weapon of mass destruction on her doubt, fears and concerns.

Side note - did they color correct the water? It looked like we were in Fiji....

Nick and Andi then have a Mascaraed-inspired feast in which Nick "unmasks" his feelings for Andi when she lays down her gavel and asks some tough questions like "it might sound shallow, but I like it when people like the guy I like, so why don't people like you?!". She really has the emotional probing down to a science...  Nick is taken aback by the additional questioning thinking he dodged the bullet by depriving Andi of oxygen on the gondola ride. As a last resort, he plays the victim card claiming his feeling were equally hurt in the altercation with the other guys. Andi purses her lips like a constipated duck while listening and holds him like a small child and they dance the night away, falling more and more in love. If you ask me, there is nothing that charming or interesting about Nick. He must be a grade-a kisser, because otherwise he just seems like a boring and slightly manipulative guy who could use invisalign.

Dear Josh: just stop talking and offer me your scarf.

On the group date with Marcus, Dylan, Josh, Chris, JJ (who has gotten so little face time I forgot he was still on the show), and Brian, two Italian (mobsters, actors and/or villagers off the street) administer a lie detector test. Josh gets his briefs in a bunch over the fact Andi feels the need to test the trust she has built with these men during a 12-week reality television show dating experience. How ever could she have doubts?! Doth protest too much Josh?! He is as fussy and emotional as a preteen girl and the combination of his Miley Cyrus attitude with Andi's spitfire bitch wall that flies up whenever something goes less than daisies and cupcakes is not a good mix. It would be hot in the bedroom but a complete disaster in life. The bottom line is - if you can't get along in the fairy tale bubble that is Bachelorette world, than you are absolutely doomed once this all ends.  

In other news, Dylan has a tummy ache and needs to go home?! That was bizarre and never explained, but with the monkey and the pantseprenuer still in the running, better now than next week to call in sick. Meanwhile, Chris completely over-dramatizes his admission that he is the secret admirer, making us all believe the farmer from Iowa actually has a real secret - Chris, it is not like you admitted to having half a lady part. You need to calm yourself down.
 
As for the lie detector test, Andi rips up the results despite finding out that most of the men lied. The whole thing was a waste of time and certainly didn't bring any of her relationships with the men further along. The guys had more intimate conversations with two Italian mobsters than they did with Andi.

Cut to a suana where Cody and Nick sweat and brood together.... I mean... what?!

At the cocktail party for the group date Andi is wearing zero clothes and the guys have scarves on as if they are in Harry Potter. Brian steps up to get some kisses in with Andi, and continues to pat himself on the back for being a big boy in the one-on-one department. But the secret admirer, Chris (Iowa farmer, not Harrison as I predicted, sadly), gets the rose. Marcus doesn't get a lot of face-time but just enough to say "I love love love love love you" to Andi, which is starting to feel over-zealous given what we have seen as viewers as a slow-moving progression. JJ's one-on-one time is not even shown, but his cranky outburst over not being happy for the other guys shining moments was a real winner... JJ and Josh both need to go eat some ice cream, turn on The Notebook and cry it out. Everything is going to be okay. 

Cody: Forget Verona. Are those shorts or a skirt?! Mind. Blown.

Cody gets the final one-on-one (finally) and I will admit, he truly has a sweet heart when he isn't getting up in people's faces. They explore Verona and the producers set up a very cheesy letter writing session, but all you really need to know here is that Andi's fashion was just as much of a fail with that powder pink skort and gray turtle-neck sweater as the one-on-one time with Cody. While he is straight-up professing his love in a 20-minute monolgue over dinner, she is slowly breaking down, tears welling up, constipated looks of fear flashing through her face. He notices NONE of this and continues to drone on about how much she is going to continue to fall for him, until she abruptly and quite agressively stops him and lists all the reasons why this isn't going to work. LADY. HAVE SOME COMPASSION. YOUR EYES ARE CRYING BUT YOUR MOUTH IS SPEWING OFF DOO DOO. She seriously needs to work on her delivery of emotion. Every time this chick tries to explain how she feels her tone becomes slightly enraged. Poor odd duck out is now being berated as he is being rejected. Rough life.

At the cocktail party Nick steps up right away to whisk Andi off to another make-out session.
All the other guys start fighting about how Nick, who has a rose, is so totally selfish for making the first move when poor Dylan who went home with a tummy ache has had zero one-on-one time with Andi beyond their train ride sob fest. Andi spends some time with the other guys but the one clip of Andi's face as JJ leans in for a smooch is all we need to see to know he is OUT. With Cody gone, there is only one guy to get the ax at the rose ceremony, and JJ is the obvious choice - especially after Brian busts out an award-winning poem called "10 Things I Hate About You." Um... Brian - you do know the audience that watches this show also watches every Heath Ledger movie ever made, right?! Bad move Bri... we're not nearly as impressed as Andi (who overlooked it for now since you are a better kisser than JJ).

PS - since when did the Bachelorette become a Shakespeare competition? These guys are busting out the romantic cliches in the secret admirer's shadow and it's becoming embarrassing... lets just put the feather and ink down, and be normal men. 

JJ makes the shock and awe exit we all see coming and we sigh relief that we no longer have to endure the brother-sister smooch sessions - even if they are on a ferris wheel overlooking a gorgeous city.

Next week is when things really get interesting in this journey - Dylan is definitely out next week because that hometown date would be super duper depressing and their connection is definitely lacking. After that, Josh will be soon to go too since Andi is starting to get twinged by his bizarrely douchey personality (the only way he has a fighting chance is if he starts kissing more, and talking less). Until next week friends!!!

I might be the voice of a generation...

I have decided just now over a strong cup of coffee, that I am super overwhelmed by all the things I need to learn before I turn 30 (which is my personal benchmark for accepting I am an adult).

It's a rough life being a millennial who is neurologically wired to dismiss the importance of investing time to learn how to #survive as an adult.

This led to a caffeinated epiphany that I am probably not the only one who feels this way. Therefore, I should probably be the answer to all of our problems. So, I have decided I am going to write a book explaining all the shit we don't want to take the time to learn in dumb-downed terms that millennials like me are sure to #like.

Here is how I see this going:

Title: How To Use Your Brain to Make Good Life Choices (and other novel concepts for the millennial generation). 

Chapter 1:  How to read things that are longer than 140 characters - since TLDR (too long didn't read) won't get you very far in life and I must equip my readers with this skill so they make it to Chapter 2. 

Chapter 2: How to make it rain - breaking down the basics of negotiating salary, a 401k, the stock exchange, loans, life insurance and tips to convince your parents that staying on their cell phone family plan until the end of time actually makes most fiscal sense for all parties.

Chapter 3: How to find a roof - what you need to know to get out of your parents house and pay your rent while simultaneously saving for a down-payment on a home (aka. how to win the lottery). Then, how to buy said home, take care of it, landscape it, and be your own landlord (since this is likely to be a brutal wake-up call).

Chapter 4: How to fix a flat tire among other automotive essentials - this will include how to check your oil, drive like a sane person, detach your hand from your phone and onto the wheel and not get robbed by a body shop. 

Chapter 5: How to break up with your first love - since they are very likely not "the one" and trying to make them "the one" is like settling for a lifetime of fat free cheese. Not interested.

Let's pray they read Ch. 6

Chapter 6: How to get a pre-nup - not to poo poo on your fairy tale, but marriage is a contract and half of you won't make it. Don't be stupid.

Chapter 7: How to get out of the job you thought you wanted - since now that you're all grown up you basically hate it.

Chapter 8: How to leave a voicemail - since this task, among other social "norms", has fallen down the black hole of technology and is now considered public speaking.

Chapter 9: How to combat FOMO (fear of missing out) and embrace boredom - since our multitasking life has created a frenetic addiction to constant stimulation and therefore the idea of doing nothing or being left out is terrifying. A sub-section of this chapter will feature tips on how to hang out with the person you are actually hanging out with, instead of the network of people on your phone.

Chapter 10: How to care about things that matter (including your emotional well-being) - like saving the planet, voting for strong leaders (and not just polarizing social issues), and for fun, I will throw in methods to survive a zombie apocalypse since I think we find that more interesting than being green. Also how to google "local therapist" since we could all use a little emotional stability outside the confines of Facebook likes.

Yeah - it is now for certain. I am copyrighting this idea immediately. Mom - you wanna help ghost write?