My eighteenth year marked changes into my life, both external and internal. First off, I finally got the awaited laptop, Ginger, when I turned 18. There was a compromise for it though, because my dad had to go to Saipan to work. I started staying in a dorm because I couldn’t commute with my laptop, so started my “independent years.” I also fought with a friend, revealed something really embarrassing, went back to YFC, flew to two countries in a year and failed two subjects in school (although the second failure happened after I turned 19, but it was coming before my 19th birthday).

My eighteenth year helped me to own up and be responsible for my actions. Admittedly, I did a lot of stupid things when it started (and no, I don’t think I want to share it anymore :P You may ask if you want to know), and I had to learn from it because it’s the only thing I can do with it. I also got closure that year, after what, almost two long years of, er, heartache. Harhar. :P But it was one of the biggest learning experience I’ve ever had. :)

My eighteenth year was the year I learned how to be independent — sort of. Dorming taught me how to budget my allowance, manage my newfound free time during the week, learn when to sleep ((Our bedtime was usually 2:00am at the dorm)) and learn how to get along with people 5 times a week who are not my family. I almost failed a subject because of my negligence ((Not going to classes just because I didn’t feel like it, not listening to the class because the prof is boring, etc — classic student stuff)), but recovered by posting reminders to myself that I should do. It worked, I passed. :P

This was the year I flew to two countries: first in Thailand, before my dad went to Saipan for work, and then to Saipan/Guam for Christmas. It was my first time to ride a plane, and my first time to go out of the country. The Thailand trip was fun, but I didn’t really enjoy that much because of my being such a priss and my moodswings (but I really want to go back there — shopping man! Shopping in Thailand is a must! It’s not like Black Friday in the US, but still!). My Saipan trip was fun and the longest one I’ve been out of the country. It was nice spending Christmas with my family in another place, but I realized here that there’s no place like home. Christmas and New Year in any other place than the Philippines is no fun at all. I like the noise of the holidays here. ;) Through these trips I discovered how much I like traveling and how much I want to see the world. I want to go around the world and see all the wonderful sights that God created. :D

My eighteenth year was the year I found my way back to my community and ultimately, to God. I lied low for a while because I was preoccupied with school and my personal life that I wanted to “find myself” for a while. I guess I was burnt out — I went from member to leader for a short period of time that I never really felt how good it was to be a member and I never really knew God personally. I knew Him through YFC, but not with my heart. If it wasn’t for my good friend and sister Engel, who kept on bugging me that year until I finally gave in and talked to her, for Bea and Myka who kept on bugging me to go to the tambayan, for the others who welcomed me back in YFC, I wouldn’t be where I am right now. :) And like I mentioned, I got to know God again for the first time ever. I learned how to pray — to really pray — and to pray for others. In all my years in YFC, I think this is the only time I started growing spiritually.

This was also the year I formed new friendships and lost ((Although I am still praying that this is temporary)) friendships. I formed good friendships with my blockmates, roommates and people in neighboring dorms, and again, people in YFC. I lost a friend because of a petty reason, and this is where I learned how to really forgive from the heart, how to be a better friend and who my true friends are.

Finally, this was the year I started to really pray about my heart, my so-called love life. This was the year I seriously struggled, but continued to surrender it up to God.  It was hard, but I knew what I was doing is right and true. Learning experience and the start of something better and more wonderful than I could ever dream of. :)

Girls celebrate their 18th year with a bang, because it’s her “entrance to the world.” Or something like that. I agree. My eighteenth year certainly left me blown away, all ready to live life and to see what else God had in store for me for the next years of my life. :)

6 days to go!