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"Sweet" 16?
Mar. 19th, 2001 10:42 pmEach culture has an age, a time when children pass from adolescence into adulthood, from children into those with more responsibility. Some cultures don't celebrate, others throw festive parties that last days and nights.
Two things: one, I don't really belong to a culture. I'm flat out white (as Casper) and don't have a set religion. I've long since passed my opportunity to be Bat Mitzvahed, because I consider myself slightly Jewish. However, I barely know any Hebrew, so even if I were to get Bat Mitzvahed, it'd be another few years. Hardly worth it. Plus, my mom's not Jewish, so technically, it wouldn't count.
In any case, by all "American" standards, 16 is THAT age. Hear me screaming at the top of my lungs: "Oh joy." As if I could care less. I don't plan on ever driving, and that's what 16 really does for people: they get their driver's license. So... ?
Here's the deal: my birthday is, for once, on a weekend. Yay! 16 is supposed to be somewhat of a big deal, right? I mean, even though you're officially a TEEN at age 13, once you're 16, you're THE age. The age where you are considered legal for marriage in several countries, the age when guys stop looking so... (no offense, guys) weird and dumb, and when freedom is only a year and a half away.
Here's my major dilemma: I'm turning 16, and all my birthdays have ended up bad. Bad, weird, spoiled, anything along those lines. I didn't want to have a party this year, so for a "celebration" I'm going to this convention (costs a pretty penny) a few weeks before the big day. The week before my birthday, I'm going to Camp Parks, which, for the sake of time and my lack of want to talk about it, is something like a boot camp. Then, if all goes well, on my birthday, I'm road-tripping to Los Angeles to see my grandparents. Now, what I'm worried about is that even though I'm older now, I'll still be treated like the baby ('scuse me for not being rich and raised in Southern California!!) and no matter what my family THINKS they know, they'll never actually THINK of me if and when they get me something.
So I figured it'd be easier if I just said, "Naw, I don't wanna go shopping, I'd rather get gift certificates or cash." Really, I would. Like flooz, borders bucks, amazon gift certificates, or just plain moola to help me pay of several debts I have. I hate having debts. I need more shirts (which is what my cousins always get me, if not Bath and Body stuff) like I need an seventh hole in my head (eyes, ears, nose, mouth), so you can see why I'm being so blunt. But then, is it really nice to tell someone that you'd rather NOT have them get you something? Especially if they have ANY excuse to go shopping?
I mean, if they did get me something, I'd like it to be something I needed (shock!) or something cool (namely Japanese anime). Unfortunately, my dad is pretty much anti-anime, and is unwilling to accept the fact that people over 12 like Japanese culture. He would do anything that would let me make money for him, but not anything to enjoy myself. Like videos, art books, or manga. *sigh* Well, I hope I can just grin and bear it, because my year is so plotted out for me...
"I can hardly wait."
Two things: one, I don't really belong to a culture. I'm flat out white (as Casper) and don't have a set religion. I've long since passed my opportunity to be Bat Mitzvahed, because I consider myself slightly Jewish. However, I barely know any Hebrew, so even if I were to get Bat Mitzvahed, it'd be another few years. Hardly worth it. Plus, my mom's not Jewish, so technically, it wouldn't count.
In any case, by all "American" standards, 16 is THAT age. Hear me screaming at the top of my lungs: "Oh joy." As if I could care less. I don't plan on ever driving, and that's what 16 really does for people: they get their driver's license. So... ?
Here's the deal: my birthday is, for once, on a weekend. Yay! 16 is supposed to be somewhat of a big deal, right? I mean, even though you're officially a TEEN at age 13, once you're 16, you're THE age. The age where you are considered legal for marriage in several countries, the age when guys stop looking so... (no offense, guys) weird and dumb, and when freedom is only a year and a half away.
Here's my major dilemma: I'm turning 16, and all my birthdays have ended up bad. Bad, weird, spoiled, anything along those lines. I didn't want to have a party this year, so for a "celebration" I'm going to this convention (costs a pretty penny) a few weeks before the big day. The week before my birthday, I'm going to Camp Parks, which, for the sake of time and my lack of want to talk about it, is something like a boot camp. Then, if all goes well, on my birthday, I'm road-tripping to Los Angeles to see my grandparents. Now, what I'm worried about is that even though I'm older now, I'll still be treated like the baby ('scuse me for not being rich and raised in Southern California!!) and no matter what my family THINKS they know, they'll never actually THINK of me if and when they get me something.
So I figured it'd be easier if I just said, "Naw, I don't wanna go shopping, I'd rather get gift certificates or cash." Really, I would. Like flooz, borders bucks, amazon gift certificates, or just plain moola to help me pay of several debts I have. I hate having debts. I need more shirts (which is what my cousins always get me, if not Bath and Body stuff) like I need an seventh hole in my head (eyes, ears, nose, mouth), so you can see why I'm being so blunt. But then, is it really nice to tell someone that you'd rather NOT have them get you something? Especially if they have ANY excuse to go shopping?
I mean, if they did get me something, I'd like it to be something I needed (shock!) or something cool (namely Japanese anime). Unfortunately, my dad is pretty much anti-anime, and is unwilling to accept the fact that people over 12 like Japanese culture. He would do anything that would let me make money for him, but not anything to enjoy myself. Like videos, art books, or manga. *sigh* Well, I hope I can just grin and bear it, because my year is so plotted out for me...
"I can hardly wait."
