Learning how to drive was an incredibly uplifting learning experience. It gave me freedom, a sense of independence, and my own beginning of the infamous "solo lifestyle"!
I took months of driver's education prior to clocking my hours in order to get my license, but would never trade back all the laughter and intelligent conversation my driving instructor and I shared together.
My driving instructor's name was Frank. He was a gentle, older guy with a great sense of humor. While we were out for drives, he would take the pressure off with a wisecrack here and there, or tales of the houses in the neighborhoods.
All the kids in my class were intelligent, humorous, and sweet individuals--even the craziest of teenage boys. I reconnected with an old Elementary school friend who was in the same timeblock as I was every other night. She was the one who released my Starbucks obsession through her famous "iced coffee with four pumps of vanilla and some milk".
Driving education is something no kid should miss out on. The bonds you create are irreplaceable, and the people you meet are inspiring. Perhaps this experience was super duper for me, while it is painful for others. The spring-summer of 2010 were two of the best that I will never forget, and while I may never see those kids again, I will always hold the good times close to my heart.
The only downside to class was the gruesome and gory film strips of car accidents and much left unsaid. Let's just say... you won't be drinking Coke again in your life, nor seeing human guts the same way.
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This post is part of the category "79 Things". Click to see the complete series of 79 Things.
Tunes for the days that are rough, stressful, or just a little off. A warning that some may be explicit, or for the "younger crowd". These are my favorite songs for when my spirit needs some jazzy empowerment.
Stronger by KanYe West Sixteen Tons by Oliver Darley Walking on Thin Ice by Yoko Ono Instant Karma by John Lennon Not Afraid by Eminem Lose Yourself by Eminem We R Who We R by Ke$ha Stronger by Britney Spears Remember the Name by Fort Minor Apologize by One Republic Too Fake by Hockey You Found Me by The Fray Set Fire to the Rain by Adele This One's for the Girls by Martina McBride Louboutins by Jennifer Lopez
Because I am quite the "abnormal" teenager, and have a good portion of adult readers, I figured I would write a blog post from the outside looking in to a regular teenage society: trends, pitfalls, and some well unanswered rumors. I am calling the shots, naming names, and being honest at full throttle.
While yes, I do text my friends, and use vulgar vocabulary (quite universal traits pegged on teenagers), the behavior I witness from teenagers around me is quite appalling and lacking of much class. For me, growing into adulthood is all about maturity, education, interest in being alive, and correct respect for your wise teachers and those who made milestones before you. Know your status, and know how to create a healthy future for your children. In my eyes: common sense. In their eyes: bullshit! Here are several, typical teenage traits that often disappoint me:
1. Oblivious of the future. Many teenagers seem stuck-in-the-now, throwing their lives around like they are nothing. "I don't care if I ace this test", "It's not that dangerous, I'm just bein' the shit", "PARTY, PARTY, PARTY!" Ignorant, and annoying. I had a conversation with a peer who did not understand why educational planning and jotting down their dreams for the future had any relation to how they would end up in their adult years. Everything you can reflect upon now shows your maturity in a big way, especially when you are writing College applications. I don't think you want your future College acceptance administrators to see: "Future-planning is so stupid!" if they look up your Facebook page to determine if you are the right student for them.
2. Drug love. The top issue among teenagers today. I would say from the peers I meet, 7 of every 10 have either tried a drug, or are under the influence of a drug at the moment of our conversation. Whether they are heavily using marijuana, getting wasted on vodka, or just smoking a cigarette every day, none of them seem to realize how idiotic their choices are, or how unhealthy these habits are for their bodies. More disappointing? A good portion of them are not aware they are being influenced by peer pressure. They're just "fitting in" because that is "the thing to do"! I have even heard the rumor: "Part of being a teenager is experimenting with drugs and having fun partying." Well, I may be abnormal, but let's not get carried away! Part of being a uneducated, typical teenager is experimenting--part of being a successful, blossoming teenager is paying respect to your body and loving yourself. While I do not idolize my friends who choose the path of drugs, I respect their freedom to use what ever substances they choose to. They will learn... someday!
3. Lacking articulation and conversational maturity. My biggest tick with most teenagers is that they do not have depth! All of their grammar is the same "lamee" grammar most everyone their age exhibits, and their conversational maturity is shameful. I have met some incredible individuals who can hold conversation about something besides getting high or laid, but not many. Most of these individuals are passed the teen-age benchmark--19, 20, even 23 or 24. Just because a teenager like myself knows how to communicate with elders and respects my status in this vast universe does not mean I have "lost my childhood" or "grew up too fast". I think I am growing up just right--above the influence and embracing my youth, being a stereotype buster for the rest of the teenage generation.
So, are these teenage traits something future generations want to live among in years to come? I certainly do not want to see my child ruin their life with a lack of class, low depth, and drug use, but I also am not going to go Nazi-mom and push them into insanity... but that's for another blog post another day. Any teenage attitudes that make you tick? Email me and tell me your thoughts.
This was a disappointment. The first frappuccino I have tried that I truly could not even stand enough to finish it, is sadly the green tea.
Generally not a tea fan, silly me thought: "Oh, maybe they make it more mild than actual tea!" Well, that was true to an extent, but not by much. This frappuccino is ideally crafted for a tea-drinker, that loves the herbal tingles on their tastebuds.
To me, it was like drinking a naturopathic medicine, or perhaps chewing on some seaweed. I was very unimpressed, and ended up throwing it away after several sips.
As I sit here and type yet again another blog entry, I am recuperating from a two-day annual event that my city hosts: huge art show/parade of many cultures and walks of life. These two days are seemingly the only two days out of each year that I truly feel *a part of* my city in all its tarnishes and joys.
I can confidently say I am a weary young woman wandering through a city of many petals--some bad, and some good, all exposed in full bloom like a dandelion, trying to find the place she will settle. I have met open hearts, and closed minds. I have met the lightest spirits, and the darkest souls. Through my journey, I have found one thing to be true: I will always belong.
To me, "to belong" is the reassurance of love, acceptance, and happiness in wherever you decide to stay, to a point it feels entirely right. My city holds just that for me. The morals of those around me may frustrate and disappoint me, and the burdened minds may throw me off, but while I may not fit in, I will always belong.
My city holds a special spark not many others do. My city is crafted by Mother Earth in a unique, simply perfect way, as if She never had to try. There is never a more flawless destination for compassion, equality, or togetherness. This Earth Day, I thank God for the planet, country, state, and city I am a part of. I may never understand the viewpoints of majority, nor will I ever give up the fight of our minority, but I belong. On this Earth, in America, and in the Pacific Northwest.
