This Doesn't Feel Like I'm 22

 I can't.  I can't even.  I mean. I can't.  Like what?

You know when something so ridiculous happens, you can't help but make it a joke?  Well, this has become my life. I would like to think of my self as a mature, responsible adult.  My parents have raised me to be a functioning member of society that is independent.  I paid for my education(primarily out of pocket), I pay my own bills(thankful when my parents helped me out, but never asked for help), and I flew across to a completely new continent where I didn't know a single soul.  If that doesn't say I have my ish together and I am talking full advantage of my youth, I don't know what does.

While it may seem that I am this cool, adventures person, I am very much a homebody.  I always enjoyed the social events for Sigma Alpha, but I was equally happy staying home. One thing I am discovering about myself is that I am introverted.  I very rarely will initiate friendships. I am pretty weird and awkward around people and I am already building my life from the ground up with no existing foundation, so often times I am on the computer talking to my friends and family that I love and miss. Where I live, the WiFi is not in constant access.  I turn it on when I use it, and unplug it when I am done.  The rule is beneficial when I am on Pinterest when I should be trying to sleep, and nuisance when I am talking to a friend back home and the WiFi gets turned off.  The internet is the one of the only ways that I am able to talk to everyone, and unless I am at home I am not connected to the world wide web, which for my generation is quite unusual.  I have found it challenging and freeing to not have the world at my fingertips, but nothing could prepare me for this challenge.

Three hours.  What could you do with three hours? What would you do for three hours?  Is it too much, too little?  I guess without context, three hours can mean anything.  How about three hours a day of internet? Is that even possible nowadays?  Well, let me set the scene of how this whole three hours Internet access business came about.  I was summoned out of my room into the lounge.  We sat down to discuss somethings she would like me to change.  Namely, being in my room on the Internet.  I was informed that I am not taking advantage of my time in the UK.  I should meet new people, get out more.  Everyone is new to me, I am introduced to someone new one the regular. Also, at the moment I have a severe case of homesickness, the Internet allows me connect with people that I don't get to see ever. I have thought of deactivating my Facebook for awhile because of the amount of time I spend on it, but I find it is the easiest way to arrange Skype dates.  Let me just say, I thoroughly enjoy my life in Southampton, but another aspect of my life is six hours behind in small town Texas.

Three hours a day, but not in the morning.  I kept my composure on the outside but I did not take this news well.  I feel as though I am a child being grounded.  I am all for parents monitoring their child's internet access. However, I am twenty-two.  I am also not her child, and capable of making my own decisions on what I would consider a successful year abroad.  If that is spending 12 hours on the computer when I have a day off, then so be it. It's my life, YOLO(I'm so sorry I said that but not sorry enough to erase it.) I'll be honest, I can't tell if I don't like this rule because I simply don't like people telling me what to do or if I am being convicted by the Spirit to be wise in how I spend my time and I am terrible with change.