The End Of High School Part 3: Becoming An Adult

Articles

The End Of High School Part 3: Becoming An Adult

By Jack Lepiarz
July 11, 2006

I am writing this on my last day as a child. I will be turning 18, and among other things, become an adult. Somehow, I'm not really all that excited. Not that being 18 really means all that much in New Jersey, other than the ability to buy pornography and vote. Hell, I can't even buy cigarettes.

I can't really say that I'm looking forward to it. Well, that's actually a lie. I am looking forward to seeing the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie, but that's about it. It's not that I'm worried about growing up. Not by any means. I understand that at 18 I'll still be the same kid I was an hour ago, so that's not really one of my worries. It's not that I'm scared about my "life beginning" and all that nonsense one hears at high school graduations. Not only do I feel excited about getting older and going off into the world, but I feel ready as well.

If anything, it's simply that I'd rather stay 17. I like where I am--old enough to be taken seriously (from time to time it actually happens), and young enough not to take myself seriously at all.

Another thing that I don't want is the constant attention that one seems to receive on their birthday. Sure a phone call from a friend wishing you a happy birthday is great. But I don't want forty people crowding around me berating me with questions about how I feel (because a real man never discusses his feelings), and if I feel any sort of new maturity now that I've aged another year. While I like to be social, I like to have some time by myself on my birthday when I can sit and reflect on the year, and how I've grown as a person.

Over the past year, I have most certainly become a very different person. I feel as though I've stopped worrying how others perceive of me (to a point) and have become less of a follower. I would also like to point out that I have not become a leader. I have no desire to lead nor to follow. I am at a stage in my life where I want to make my own choices.

And I choose to end this article (my 150th) here.

------------

About the author: Jack Lepiarz is a senior at Madison High School. Born in Waco, Texas, he lived with the Big Apple Circus for much of his early childhood, eventually moving to Madison, New Jersey, where he now resides. Although he is often described as stubborn and egotistical, he tries to keep an open-mind towards new ideas and treat people the way he would like to be treated.

Email: Jackwuzhere42@aol.com

Comment on this article here!

------------

All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED!