Moments before eighteen

Prologue:
If you’re reading this on the fourth of October, then it’s already too late-it means I’ve turned eighteen and now a legal resident of the Republic of the Philippines. I may or may have not been brainwashed into thinking like adults, or I have escaped that life. If I have not, then I may have turned into a drone, mindlessly following the rules of life. But if I haven’t, then I will carry on as I am, a misfit whose goal is to write at least ten books in my lifetime, and to become someone that people look up to.

Story:
As I sit here in front of my computer, typing these very words, I am savouring my last day of being seventeen. I’m thinking over all the pros and cons of being eighteen, and if there are more cons, I will try to find an elixir that will help me remain a seventeen year old forever. Here are the facts:

Pros:

  1. I can go on fieldtrips without parent’s consent.
  2. I can get my passport, driver’s license and etc. without parent’s consent.
  3. Basically get legal documents without a letter of consent.
  4. I can drive without having someone with a professional license in the car.
  5. In the Philippines, you can only get a job when you’re eighteen.
  6. I can enter contests that require me to be eighteen.
  7. I can finally check that box that says “18+”
  8. I can go on rides that require me to be eighteen.
  9. I get to sit on the adults table.
  10. I get to watch movies that are for 18+
Cons:
  1. In the Philippines, when you’re under eighteen and you’re caught doing something illegal, you can’t be arrested. Therefore when I’m eighteen, I can get arrested if I do anything illegal.
  2. I will be expected to act “grown up”
  3. It would mean that soon, I’d be graduating college and starting my own life. (No more running to momma)
  4. I can’t play anymore children games because I’d be seen as immature.
  5. I have to do what grown ups do. (I have no definite idea what that is.)
  6. People will call me ma’am. That makes me sound old.
  7. Just being expected to be mature.
Epilogue:
As I have read and calculated my findings, it seems that there aren’t enough reasons for me not to become eighteen. So I shall proceed with this task that the future has given me. But I vow to myself, to never lose my child-at-heart persona, even when drones suck my brain to make me a “valuable” asset to society. Wish me luck world. 😀

25 thoughts on “Moments before eighteen”

  1. I laughed out loud when you said people will start calling you ma'am. I'm in my 30's and I get so offended when people call me ma'am because that's what you call old people – not someone like me 🙂

  2. I so remember when I turned 18 I was so excited for months it was all I could talk about. I was thinking all the fun I was going to have. I forgot about the responsibility 🙂 Have a wonderful 18th!!

  3. I felt the same way when I turned 18.. I wanted to be able to be on my own, but I also didn't want the responsibility. Everything will be fine though 🙂 lol

  4. Good luck with growing up. it's a hard feat and something that I don't think gets any easier. I dreaded turning 18, but it came anyway. I dreaded turning 30..it came anyway. lol. But the best to do is still just focus on the pros and not dwell on the cons.

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