20

The other day I turned 20.

Wow.

20.

It's funny...I remember turning 10, and being so proud to finally be in the double-digits. After expressing this pride to my mother, I remarked that it took a really, REALLY long time to turn 10, and I could only imagine what the rest of growing up would be like. She, in all her motherly wisdom, informed me that every decade after that goes by faster and faster.

Of course, at 10 years old, I never believed her. But now, I sit here, another decade behind me since then, and I wonder where the time went.

Not that I don't have strong memories from the past 10 years - I remember all the pleasant and unpleasant things that happened. I remember all the new friends, the broken hearts, the first kisses, and the goodbyes. It just feels so odd that after waiting (for what seemed like forever to a 12 year-old) to become a teenager, it's now over.

I know I'm totally corny and cliche, but at 11:55 on July 17, I sat there watching the clock tick down to midnight, and suddenly felt worried that I only had 5 minutes left as a teenager, and I hadn't done everything I wanted to do while being in my teens.

I guess 20 is a big step for me. When I started school, I always said that I would graduate from college and start pursuing my career when I was 20. Turning 20 means that time is here. I also started making plans to completely move out of my house, start paying rent, bills, and cooking for myself. Turning 20 means that time is here, as well.

I know that the little kid inside of me will never go away - and I don't want it to. I look forward to this new period in my life, and will embrace whatever is brought before me. I guess that time has become a very surreal idea to me, and it's bound to become more and more confusing as life goes on.

At least I can take comfort in the fact that I will probably be I.D.ed until I'm 40. No word of a lie, the other day I was I.D.ed...at the movie theatre! Here's how the conversation went.

Kyla: Hi! I'd like one ticket for Cars at 12:40, and one for Pirates at 3:20.

Girl At The Box Office: Sure. Can I just ask how old you are?

Kyla: Uhhh...20. (laughs nervously)

GATBO: (awkward laugh) Oh...ok. I like your shirt. (referring to Kyla's Curious George shirt)

Pirates of the Caribbean is rated what? PG-13? So apparently I look 12? Oh well...at least the other people in the box office laughed at her for being stupid, so I guess that's all that matters.

Anyway, thanks to all who sent me a birthday message, or wished me a happy birthday when I was online. Your warm thoughts and friendship mean so much to me while I am so far away from home. I don't know what I'd do without you all.

Anyway, here's to having a blast while 20, and to looking forward to 21 when I can party everywhere! Cheers!