Why I Need to Turn 22

I'm 21 and think life is going to be awesome!!
---August 20, 2009

You know, all my friends, fam, and associates have told me or simply mentioned in conversations how awesome it is to be twenty-one years old, how they couldn't wait to turn that magic age where you are officially not a kid; you're an adult.

And why not, right? No more club limits. No more drinking limits. Clothed in maturity, you can do what you want, when you want, where you want, and be good.

Well, I'm not the typical young adult. I don't drink or club-hop, so being twenty-one hasn't been some breath of fresh air, removing shackles type shit. As a matter of fact, being twenty-one has been completely sucky. "Why?" you may ask.

1.) I got stung by a bee for the first time.

I had managed to avoid beestings my entire life until a few weeks after I turned twenty-one. That shit hurts, and when the crying stops, the dull pain for a couple days just becomes annoying. That, unfortunately, was the start of it all.

2.) I was driven nearly half-crazy by Calvin College's Education Department.

Yeah, I said it. Between my worthless Capstone, needless out-of-pocket expenses, ridiculous professors, and more, I have fumed my entire senior year more times than I can count about anything EDUC at Calvin. If it weren't for the English Department, who knows where the Spoelhof Center would be. Interpret that any way you'd like. 8]

3.) I got hit by a car.

That's right, ladies and gentlemen; I got hit by a damn car. And, no, I wasn't in a car when I was hit; I was a pedestrian. Through the mercy of the Good Lord, I wasn't hurt, but that ish messed me up for a while. How many twenty-one year olds can say that?

4.) I have no job and I live at home with mom.

Nuff said.

5.) My uncle passed away.

Again, nuff said.

6.) I got Carpal Tunnel.

Yeah, I'm twenty-one and have to wear a splint because of wrist pain and whatnot. I had been fine until a few months after my twenty-first birthday. NOT cool.

7.) I got an astigmatism.

During a trip to the eye doctor that was supposed to be a 2 for $69.99 deal at America's Best, I was told that I had an astigmatism in, I do believe, my right eye that was greatly worsened because of too much time looking at a computer, which made the balance come out to $200. And why did this happen? Hmm...maybe it was because I went to COLLEGE. Yes, higher education further effed up my eyesight, and it also effed up my wrist.

Don't get it twisted, there have been some great things that happened at twenty-one, including numerous awards and accolades, graduation, FINALLY getting a 4.0, and having great friends and roommates. However, I have to be real and say that my experience of being twenty-one was totally inferior than the experience of your typical twenty-one year old.

I say, "Bring on 22!" Honestly, nothing can be worse than my being 21 besides catching Herpes.

I just look forward to seeing the new, better, fortuitous things that can and will happen to me in the next year.