Pick of the Week: Online dating

When we were kids, online dating consisted of middle aged old men and crazy cat ladies that had no other way of tracking down that special someone. These days, there are countless dating Web sites that help lonely individuals search out their ultimate compatibility. 

That's why online dating sites get my 20-something Pick of the Week.

Recently, I have discovered that online dating sites have attracted a slew of those under the age of 30. I'll be the first to admit that I have tried online dating. And it has even worked.  Here are a few reasons why I believe online dating works for the quarter life crowd.

• We are just too busy to date. Trying to be rockstars in "the real world", trying to find jobs that will make us rockstars, or just trying to get through school, many of us are working upwards of 50 hours a week and simply don't have time to find dates.
• Bars don't cut it anymore. Be honest, bars have rarely helped anyone find long lasting love.
• It seems hopeless. Broken heart after broken heart has caused many 20-somethings to just give up on the traditional dating.
• First dates are like interviews. They are stressful. You need to look your best, put on a dog-and-pony show, and master the art of small talk. the beauty of online dating is you get a dating resume or application if you will, that helps you weed out the duds.
• You know your on the same page. By going to sites like Match.com, you are ensuring that you are finding someone who is looking for the same things you are. 

So here is to you, online daters. May you tell many entertaining stories as to how you met your new beau.

Tips for surviving the QLC meltdown

We all get them. Generally it happens around the first of the month when all of our bills are due, when your boss decides to continuously mention how awesome the person who's position you now hold was at his/her job, or the cat has an unsually large hair-ball. Sometimes the 20-something of 2010 needs to spiral into a viscous meltdown. 

Why does this happen? because as a 20-something you are entering into the world of the quarter life crisis, recently dubbed QLC. Essentially you are now entering the stage of uncertainty that goes along with that transition into adulthood. AWESOME!!...... 

As someone who is not OK with goodbyes (not to be confused with change... I love when things get improved upon) the QLC is a very real thing. I am still far from being a successful adult, but definitely not able to call myself a kid anymore. Friends are not just down the hall or across the street anymore to vent to or lean on for the day-to-day support and are going through the exact same thing. This time is legitimately hard. 

So when do you do when any or all of the above happen? Freak out a little bit. Sometime the panic attack ensues and all you want to do is call mom or dad. Put down the phone! Mom and dad are great, but it is time to embrace being an adult. 

Here are some of my sure fire ways to calm down during a QLC meltdown.

Step 1: Pick a problem. What is it that is freaking you out? I am sure there are is a list of things that has you ready to explode at your roommate, best friend, significant other and dog. But try to deal with the one thing that is setting you off.

Step 2: Decide if you can fix it right now. There are things that are within your control, and things that you just cannot avoid being an issue at this age. For instance, you can't control the fact that bills are due. Stop freaking out about it, adult up and pay them. However, when your boss decides to start reminiscing about former account coordinator, John Smith, there are steps that can be taken here.

Step 3: Write your problem down. By doing this, you can physically see what is bothering you and focus on this one issue.

Step 4: Keep writing. Freak out on paper. This way your roommate, best friend, significant other don't see you at this low point (you will have a few of these meltdowns... they will get old.) 

Step 5: Get back on track. OK, so you started writing and it got out of hand... go back to the top of your page and look at the issue you decided was the instigator of your freak out. 

Step 6: Think about a way to positively enhance the situation. In the case of your boss measuring you up to the former AC, there is a reason for it. Sit down and ask your boss about said individual and what it was that made him/her so awesome at the job. You are not recreating the wheel, just rolling with it.

Step 7: Make it your own. So you got some great tips... here is where you can roll with that proverbial wheel but add some flair to the spokes. 

Now, sometimes these steps won't work out the first time around. That is OK, come up with your own system. Find the person who is most level headed around you that can act as your QLC sponsor. 

Let's get the ball rolling, shall we?

Alright, let's face it. Post grad is not what we thought it would be. Sure, I had a stint at an awesome high-tech PR firm as an intern for about five months. Oh, and I escaped the dreaded "living at home" bit by moving into a cute 1-bedroom apartment in one of the most 20-something friendly suburb in California. I shouldn't be complaining.

But since my awesome internship and sexy apartment transitions, life has taken quite the interesting turn. I am now back at my college job at a major theme park near my home town, while my best college comrade is couch surfing in my living room (and helping me tow the line in rent of course).

So life doesn't include a 401K or benefits at this point. I have the stability to afford my own health insurance, an apartment, and of course... my iPhone. But about every four weeks I break down and tend to panic... where the heck is life taking me?!?

We had elementary school, when life's biggest challenges included spelling, math and pudding vs. Jello-O. Then there was middle school, where determining which Spice Girl was most like you determined your standing in school. High school brought a feeling of freedom. Sure I didn't have the hippest ride, but my '95 Tercel got me to and from colorguard rehearsal without getting stuck on the way... too often.

When college hit we were able to transition from whatever stereotype we were in high school, to whatever we wanted. For me that changed quite a few times over the course of my 5-year stint at California State University, Chico.

Each of these transitions had defined starts and endings, usually involving some sort of bad cap and gown ensemble with a Costco cake following. But after our final slice of education cake, what's the next big step? Oh wait, that's right... for many of us it is our wedding cake.

Don't get mewww.csuchico.edu wrong, I constantly am thinking about weddings. My sister is getting married, my boyfriends roommate is getting married, my college roommate just got married... it is wedding fever! But it is terrifying to realize that the next big change in our lives will be when we decide to "settle down" and  get hitched.

So here is to all of us 20-somethings who are still searching for that thing to make them shine before we put on that pretty white dress (or dashing tux for all those guys out there). May we brave the next 5-10 years with all the grace and ease we did when we forged through the decision of *Nsync or Backstreet Boys.