Nineteen to the Dozen

Nothing is as self-reflective as a selfie. :)

When the clock strikes twelve, I will officially be nineteen years old.  Even though that is a far cry from my hair going grey, I feel like I have learnt quite a lot of stuff. And, like every old person, I feel the need to share my wisdom. So here are five things I would like to pen down about the year gone by. (Because I could not think of a sixth point.)  Some of this may be clichéd, some of it might still be in the unfinished stage (because I need something to talk about next year too, right?) and all of it will be pertaining too personally to me. But here goes.

1.  This was by far the most eventful year of my existence.  (I know, I say that every year. That’s supposed to be a good thing. It means my life keeps getting exciting.) It was the year of transition from school to college – a huge step in itself. It was about leaving the institution I’d called my second home for fourteen extremely short years, and moving on to new challenges ahead.
2. Its amazing, and frankly bewildering, to note that I’ve survived a year of adulthood. Other than sneering at minors and walking extra confidently into movie halls, I haven’t done much different. I guess the time to realize the change is now, with a new life ahead to look forward to.
3.  I voted for the first time in elections within this year. Voting inevitably gives you a different feel. Its like you are finally deemed worthy of contributing to the country’s decision-making. (I have my issues with the process, but this isn’t the time or place to discuss that.)
4. This was the year of the board exams and the competitive exams. While my performances weren’t exactly award-winning, they were satisfactory, and just a few hours ago, I did get into college. The days of floating between school and college, not belonging to either, are over.
5. On a personal note, this year did gift me great relationships, especially one which I hope to carry forward to the next. As always, bonding emotionally is tough for me, so I have to carry on and try to do the best I can to play my part better than I have done previously. (That force you just felt was all the “previously”s giving me the middle finger in unison.)

I was going through a note I had written about a year ago, about my thoughts on just becoming an adult. The last line there caught my eye. It went thus. “The good thing about turning 18 is that you are an adult and you GET to make your own decisions. The bad thing about turning 18 is that you are an adult and you HAVE to make your own decisions.”

When the clock strikes a dozen tonight, I will be nineteen. I still have so much to learn.