16 Going On 17

In exactly 48 hours from now I will officially be 17 years old.  That's pretty scary and weird to think about, since I can remember my 10th birthday like it was just yesterday.  My 16th birthday celebration is still fresh in my memory.  The fact that that was an entire year ago just blows my mind.  It is so crazy that I will never be 16 again.  16 is such a big year.  Ever seen 16 candles?  It's like the real "welcome to young adulthood" birthday.  So much has changed… in a sense, the entire course of my future has changed immensely.  Immediately after my 16th birthday, I headed back to Colorado to get my wisdom teeth out.  After about a week of recovery time, I was told of the divorce.  That really changed everything, whether I liked it or not.  When I look back on my 16th year, I realize just how much changed.  I've composed a list of sorts of everything crazy that happened during my 16th year of being alive on this earth.

1.  My parents announced the divorce.  This obviously just changed a lot.  I don't think it really needs an explanation because clearly this turns life upside down.

2.  I became a peer counselor and it was the best thing that could have happened to me.  It really happened at the best time, too.  When I was going through a difficult time in my life, I made all sorts of supportive friends and was able to help others as well going through challenging times.  Being a peer counselor really changed my perspective on a lot of things.

3.  I got my job.  My job has impacted me a lot.  Not only does it require my time, but I have gotten to meet lots of people.  The fact that I am now a role model and influence in so many young kids lives is really astounding.

4.  I maybe kind of fell in love??  And then I fell out of it.  I don't know everything about love, but lets just say my feelings went on a tumultuous adventure this year.  Now the adventure has ended, as all adventures do.

5. I made some new friends in unexpected places.  I am grateful for building relationships that will hopefully last out of high school.

6.  I went to freaking Europe.  I got to see the Eiffel Tower twinkle at night.  I saw the freaking Queen and freaking Kate Middleton and freaking Prince Harry and William.  That in itself is life changing.

7. I have worked on writing my book more and more.  It has actually been about a year since I began, so that is exciting.

So that is all I could think of that was outstanding and interesting.  All in all, I grew a lot as a person and my character really developed this past year.  It was a super long year, dreadful at times, but it also flew by and I had some of the greatest moments of my life this year.  Thanks for everything, 16.  I'll miss you lots.  Until next time xxx.

16