18 ...............19..... 20

They both are separated from 19 by one, but 20 feels closer right? In terms of age.

September 23, 2015.

“I’M AN ADULT, I’M AN ADULT”, ”Excuse me I’m an adult now, not a child.” Many people would remember me going on saying this sentence. Some people though did counter me by saying, “so act like one you are not a kid anymore.”

I replied, “still a teenager, 2 years more.”

As I turn 19, I look back at the past 365 days, I got a good GPA in college (till now, hopefully it stays where it is), I played dandiya, volunteered in a fest, did a presentation in class without a Power point as a crutch(all were first time things), I gave back in kind to many people who continued to pass comments at me, and then upon me getting offended would say it’s a joke. Of course they didn’t see my joke to their jokes as a joke and by unspoken agreement both parties decided it best to ignore each other, and I feel so much nicer without them talking to me anymore.(you can get it if it happens once or twice, but the same comment every time? NO! ) but in my post last year called 'TRANSITIONS'(http://theperspectivesofanintrovert.blogspot.in/2015/09/no-title.html?m=1), I spoke about 3 things of adult life but from them I’ve only entered a theatre legally to watch an adult film. I haven’t made a voters ID, nor have I officially learnt to drive (hopefully I will do both this year). Have I acted like an adult? I can't seem to recall any such instance offhand. I guess not, for even while playing against a 12 or 13 year old(for no one of my age seems to have the time to play outdoor games) I have that need to win and play hard like I would with someone of my own age. 

 I still dress up like a school kid and absolutely hate wearing long pants. Looking at me one would think that I’ve just finished tenth and have the right to just while away my time. People laid off though as they must’ve been looking at me as someone who was still had that ‘teen tag’. But as the clock reaches 23:59:59 on the 22nd of September, 2016, it’ll be that one tick of the seconds hand of the clock that makes it 00:00:00 on the 23rd of September, 2016 and my 19th birthday(Happy Birthday to me!!) It takes me to what will now be called ‘closer to your 20th.’ And they’ll be right, 20^th looks a lot closer from 19 than it does from 18. I can't step into the post-teenage phase completely unprepared. As a teen I can hide behind many excuses and the teen tag, but that wont be possible in 12 months time. Things I just let slide over in the past year need to be attended to this year.

It’s my last chance to secure an internship so as to have some sort of work experience before I Graduate (hopefully no attendance issues or KT’s halt me), it’ll be the last chance I have to be a teenager in age (for ill always be a teenager in mind-set) without being judged by people who know my age, possibly a final chance to enjoy a summer vacation in the comfort of my home or out playing on the streets.

 

My first year of adulthood was one amazing journey, hopefully my last teenage year will be as amazing as the last 6. What I can just hope for is 365 days of things that challenge me(but don't break me completely) and mould me into a better person and pure, unashamed enjoyment for teenage is called as the best phase of life, as you are neither too old to have major responsibilities, nor too young to be a child and I just got 1 year of the best phase remaining. Here goes…. I am ready to journey around the sun for the final time with the tag “teen.”