Thursday, June 04, 2009

25, going on 16.

A few of months ago, I had dinner with our pediatrician to discuss medical school, residency, and balancing a medical career with having children at home. The waiter took my drink order and promptly asked for my ID. No big deal, I always get carded. Always. I pulled out my wallet and reached for my ID and only find my college ID. No birth date. I dug through my purse, but still couldn't find my driver's license.

He didn't serve me.

In the car, after dinner, I found my ID. In my wallet. Hiding behind another card.

****

A few weeks ago, I went to a Babysitter Mixer with Julie. If you haven't been to one of these, it is like speed dating for childcare options. Helpful if you don't know any sitters, and are uncomfortable approaching random people on the street and asking, "Hey! Would you like to tube feed my child?" Instead, it went something like this:

"Hi! My name is Kyla, I have a 7 year old and 4 year old. My 4 year old has special medical needs; feeding tube, various medications, asthma, food allergy, epipen. Are you comfortable with that sort of thing? We have a cat and a dog, are you okay with animals? Do you have CPR certification? Is transportation an issue for you? How much do you charge?"

Shockingly, I found quite a few takers and not a single person ran away screaming from my little introduction. One of the sitters is even going to college for a degree in Special Education. SCORE!

However, I was mistaken for a sitter THREE times. The last one takes the cake, though. This conversation was between, me, Julie, and Julie's friend.

Julie's friend: I didn't get a chance to meet you, what's your name?

Me: Kyla, I'm here with Julie.

Julie's friend: Oh! How did you meet?

Me and Julie: Online.

Julie's friend: Did you find any good job prospects (thinking I'm a sitter)?

Me: Oh! No. I'm a mom looking for a sitter.

Julie's friend: Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry, but I was thinking GOOD LORD, WHY IS JULIE PICKING UP TEENAGERS ONLINE?!

****

Last night I had training for volunteering in the pediatric ER. Most of us were there early, but we had to wait until 15 after to start, in case any stragglers showed at the last minute.

As we were waiting, the other volunteers, who happened to all be junior volunteers, started discussing what HIGH SCHOOLS they attended. Everyone named the school they attended, while I sat there quietly, and then they all looked at me and waited, expecting me to name my high school, too.

The girl next to me said, "Well, where do you go to school? Wait--do you go to school? You do, right?"

I said, "Well, not to high school, but I'm a college student, a premed."

Everyone looked surprised and a few people said, "You don't LOOK like you are in college already."

I said, "Yeah, I'm married and have two kids, too."

Their jaws collectively hit the conference table.

19 comments:

Mad said...

You sweet faced cherub, you! Enjoy it for what it's worth and while you can. It can be frustrating when folks don't take you seriously, but soon enough you will be lamenting these days.

7 years ago I was asked by a boy on the dance floor what my major was. I had to show him my driver's license to prove I was 36. (or maybe I was 34; I'm already forgetting). Two weeks ago I was offered the Seniors' discount at Sears.

It can all change in a heart beat.

And ya, Julie is a perv isn't she? Picking up youngin's on the net left, right and centre. Well, mostly left and sometimes centre. I don't think she has much luck luring in the right.

tierd said...

Ha! Those are great! What a blessing to look young ... I'll trade you my wrinkles and grays anyday :)

Jaden Paige said...

LOL! Hey, someday you will be VERY grateful to look like a fresh-faced youth :)

ewe are here said...

I love this, probably because you DO look so young and I had the same problem in my 20s. (Not so much now, of course, seeing as I'm over 40!)

When I was at University, people used to ask me if I was visiting a sibling, always amusing. And I got carded until I was about 30 if they didnt' know me. And while I was traipsing around Europe only 6 years ago (wow, that long!?!), I was riding off my old dateless lawschool ID as a 20-something for the discounts because I could still pass.. Bad, I know, but saved me a lot of money.

I say Enjoy it. Seriously. You'll miss it in those moment you feel old and you realize you're looking older, too.
;-)

Mimi said...

I was there when that kid tried to pick up Mad. She really did have to show him her license. It was very funny.

Just make sure you odn't roll your eyes when people think you're young -- nothing says "I'm a teenager" quite like frustrated eyerolling ;-)

Woman in a Window said...

You keep documenting all of these things because I'm afraid one day, one day, it might not be tomorrow and it might not be next year, but dear, one day...you'll not be carded. sniff, sniff. I know. Sad but true. And then from outta nowhere you'll get Yes, mam'd. Oh yes you will.

Magpie said...

Keep everyone on their toes.

~aj~ said...

The last one especially cracked me up. ;) And I'm with Jen, you can take my wrinkles ANY DAY, sweetheart!

sheree said...

I SO wish I had this problem! lol

mamatulip said...

Um, yeah. These are conversations I'll NEVER have.

Niksmom said...

Oh, God, yes...exactly what Womanin the Window wrote. The "yes M'am" *shudder* is actually painful to me still. *sigh*

moplans said...

like Mad I have found that it changes all of a sudden. Though I spent the spring sharing an office with some 20 somethings who told me I didnt' seem that old 'cause I'm immature.

Great to hear you found some sitters. I have been surprised how unfazed my nanny is with the tube feeds. Even my parents manage which is saying a lot.

painted maypole said...

julie picking up teenagers online. tee hee

S said...

I am still getting this (even though my hair is white! White, I say!). Those of us with young faces, we understand. :)

Run ANC said...

Hey, I'd hire you to babysit for me anyday...

I never knew there WAS such a thing as a Babysitter Mixer. Must look into this...Thank you, O Wise One.

flutter said...

you will NEVER look old

alejna said...

Too funny. I especially love the story about Julie picking up teens online...

When I was a teenager, people alway thought I looked like I was in my 20s. When I was in my 20s, people always thought I looked like a teenager. Now that I'm in my 30s, I think I look like I'm in my 30s.

But I did get carded buying beer for a party last year. The guy at the liquor store even seemed to think that I was trying to pull something, and couldn't believe the birth year on my license.

InTheFastLane said...

You DID get picked up online! Too funny!

I get that all the time too, but not so much about high school anymore. more that they can't believe i have a 14 year old since I am only 25 (35). :)

InTheFastLane said...

OH yeah, and when I 1st started coaching middle school cross country, I would get mistaken for a middle schooler by some of the coach's. I was 24, at the time :)