November 6th (the miraculous second post)

It's my birthday, and now that the bildungsroman that is my childhood is approaching it's resolution, I would like to reflect on what has made the past year so special, and why so many people sing songs about when they were seventeen.

I have done many exciting things this past year since my last birthday. I completed my senior project presentation (may it burn in the fires from whence it came), I quit ASB (much to the dismay of some important members of staff), I went and visited my uncle and auntie in Australia for Christmas (bloody beautiful). After Christmas I decided to grow a beard. This coincided rather nicely with the part I was given in the mikado, Koko the Lord High Executioner (perhaps the best comedic musical part an amature dramatist could hope for). I met a man named Stephen Graham (he's a recurring theme. I'm determined to make him a meme), who taught me about literature and why the upper-classes are still the upper-classes. This same Stephen Graham taught me about why to avoid large groups of young girls. All those who studies literature with me know why. By the way all of you who studied literature with me, I got 5 on AP Lit. 

This last year there have been some massive changes in my life, also. I graduated from high school. On the night of my graduation I said goodbye to several of my best friends in all the world, indefinitely. Over the next few weeks I watched more of my friends leave to walk into the next stage of their lives, some more reluctantly than others. Eventually it was my turn to leave a country I loved, and friends I loved, and a home I loved, and pets I loved, and a school I loved, and family I loved, and instant noodles I loved. Sometimes it hurts when you're an missionary kid. You grow kind of close to the seven other members of your class. I returned to England, moved in with my Grandma (YAY COOKIES), and said goodbye to my nuclear family. Finally I started College in England, made some great friends, and have been reunited with family members I haven't seen since I was ten. 

The ups and downs (CLICHE MUCH) have been extensive this past year. As you can see it's been interesting being seventeen, to say the least. I do not regret a single moment of it, even some of the stupid decisions I have made along the way. I will thoroughly miss being seventeen. I can see now why so many people write songs about it. To all my friends who will be turning seventeen this year: make the most of it, and don't take it for granted.

I don't think my life will change much now I'm 18. I don't plan on drinking excessively, and I don't plan on using my legal right to marry without parental consent any time soon. However, we'll see, maybe being eighteen will be every bit as good as being seventeen, if not better. And hey, at least now I can make money off of this blog! Look out for the new advertisements!