Growing Up

Nine years ago, we thought how great it is to be in high school. New subjects, new schedules, new activities and new friends. Nine years ago, we couldn’t wait to get older.

Eight years ago, we stepped into high school believing that we owned the place. No longer the lowly freshmen, we had a new attitude. Still individuals searching for themselves, looking to fit in, wanting to achieve something. We followed our daily routines, expanded our circle of friends, and talk about trips. Eight years ago, we couldn’t wait to get older.

Seven years ago, we became upper classmen. We began to realize that we were growing up. Some of us got licenses, started driving out on weekends. Seven years ago, we realize who our true friends were and cherished the times we spent with them. We found where we fit in, yet still seemed to be looking for something else. Seven years ago, we started talking about college, thinking it was still so far away. We had our junior prom and realize that time really does fly. But seven years ago, we still couldn’t wait to get older.

Six years ago, we entered school as seniors. We have “senioritis” before class even resumed, we got to leave school early and come in late. Everything we did was last.. our last intramurals, our last birthday at home, . Six years ago, we took our time together for granted, we went to trip after trip on the weekend, we rebelled, we learned. Six years ago, we still had the same best friend and cherished the time spent with them. We started applying to college, far and near. We got accepted, we got rejected, we found exactly where we wanted to go. We realized we could no longer have the comfort of home within four years. But still we couldn’t wait to get older.

Five years ago, we entered into a new world. A world that will defined our future. We familiarize ourselves with our schedules, courses and university professors. We couldn’t wait to get older.

Four years ago, some of us change degrees, change school and work part time. We began to have new set of friends that will guide us through the thesis, projects and investigatory projects. Four years ago, we couldn't wait to get older.

Three years ago, we already found our niche. We’ve been slaving our way to get that bright future when the time comes for us to step out of the university walls. We’ve been up late into the night finishing our reports. We’re scared and fearless.

Two years ago, we emerge as a different individual. We are already scrambling to look for jobs. We were thinking of a bright future. We began to visualize ourselves in a office, in a field and in a laboratory. Some of us continued their education for higher learning, some of us didn’t finish, and some of us stop studying altogether.

One year ago, we were now foist with new responsibility as individuals. We began working our way to a successful career ladder, earned money and become a better individual. One year ago, we were enjoying a new status of being an employed individual.

Now..

We finally realized that we could have waited to get older. We realized that time has somehow slip away. Now we realize how important our best friends are. Now we wish we could be younger. We wish we could have taken the time to appreciate every moment.. to slow down time. In the past years, we have experienced dorm life, campus life and met new people. We have joined clubs and done something new. As we emerge as new people, we will still be searching for our identity.. to find our niche. We will know more about ourselves. We will remember the past times and look fondly at the memories, although we will have created new memories. Yet one thing will still remain, we still still have that same best friend, maybe since kindergarten, maybe since high school, maybe a college roommate. That person can be found in new friends and old. Without them, we would have nothing. These past years brought change. Friendship held us strong when we were shaky, in good times and bad, in laughter and tears, through relationship, bad grades, family problems and love.. our friends show us that life was worth enjoying. With them, we wanted to grow up quickly. Now they are the only one with whom we will remain young forever.