My first tag (thank you Syrian Brit)! Actually, my second, but I haven’t responded to that one yet (don’t want to jump ahead in the book I’m attempting to read in between a million commitments and tasks).
Apparently I need to list the rules of this particular tag first, then get on with it, so here goes:
1. Post these rules before presenting your list.
2. List 6 actions or achievements you think every person should accomplish before turning 18.
3. There are no conditions on what can be included on the list.
4. At the end of your blog, choose 6, or less, people to get tagged and list their names.
5. People who are tagged write their own blog entry with their 6 suggestions.
6. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged.
I’m not sure if I should list a wish list of things I should have done before I hit 18, or things I actually did (spontaneously) and in retrospect would recommend to other pre-18 year olds. Maybe both? I’ll just start writing and see where this takes me.
1. Every 18 year old should have had sex. Yeah, yeah, I know, not exactly recommended or popular in our culture, but wouldn’t it have allowed us to move past our frustrated obsession with the opposite sex and our pent-up raging hormones to concentrate on other things? Definitely one for the wish list!
2. Every 18 year old should have lived away from home. I went away to boarding school at the age of 16 and had a blast (discounting the pent up raging hormones of number 1). Contrary to popular belief, I had a blast without comprising on personal responsibility. Basically, while all the kids around me who stayed home were being monitored carefully by their parents, I was far and away, unmonitored and unshackled. However, the fact that my parents trusted me turned me into a good little girl. I did almost nothing that would have worried my parents. I had the utmost freedom to do anything I liked in an environment that was very open, but since I didn’t have anyone to rebel against, I didn’t do any of the usual rebellious things teenagers do. Which brings us back to point number 1: we tend to obsess about things out of our reach. Once in reach, they lose their fascination.
3. Every 18 year old should have travelled and lived among “foreigners”. I came away with an acceptance and appreciation of others at a very early age that I have carried with me ever since. It’s a value that I value a lot.
4. Every 18 year old should have discovered and developed talents that are not school-related. With so much emphasis placed on excelling at school, other aspects of our development are relegated to second place, and sometimes even frowned upon. I tried a lot of things: dance, music, arts, drama, sports. I enjoyed everything, and found myself in a few things that still give me immense pleasure to this day.
5. Every 18 year old should have learnt that their self-worth is not measured by extra-weight they carry around. Definitely one for the wish list. Seems contradictory that I would have had so much fun growing up and still had low self-esteem related to being overweight, but I did. However, I’m not sure what my practical advice on that one would be.
6. Every 18 year old should have had the opportunity to be a kid. This one requires little explanation.
I am going to forgo tag rule number 4. Apparently most bloggers I read have already been tagged with this particular tag.
6 person(s) discussed this post:
Glad to read you again girl.
Where have you been?
Hey Abu Fares, glad to see you're still checking my blog, despite my prolonged absence. Which brings us to where I've been: mega-busy at work, mega-busy socially and mega-busy with out of town guests. I actually miss blogging and the solitude of posting and reading. I noticed you posted something new, but havent had the chance to read it yet. Will do so soon!
Fantastic!.
I loved your post, regardless of what I think about sex before the age of 18 (and I am not saying which way I vote here!..)
I admire your courage and frankness, and I thoroughly enjoyed the apparent spontaneity of your reply..
I particularly loved No 6.. How true!.. Except, I think the over-18 should also be allowed to experience being a kid every so often!..
Thank you for a delightful post..
Boy, am I glad I changed my mind!..
Syrian Brit, 3am tijbor bikhatri :))
I came to that conclusion (sex before 18) only last year. After witnessing a bunch of otherwise very intelligent, motivated young women activists turn into total mindless idiots trying to catch the attention of a few (dumb) guys, I starting noticing how obsessed we are with sex. We think we're in love, but its mostly a need for sexual release. Dunno, I doubt my idea of compulsory sex camps for pre-18 year olds is ever going to take off, but hey, its fun conjuring up scenarios.
Damn!
How did I miss this post? how?
Are these women activist friends of yours still uncommitted? :P
Wow, you really have the guts to go away to a teen boarding school and get separated from your parents. I never had that guts when I was your age. I really find it amusing, the children of the new generation are really more independent and willing to discover new thing by their own. That is a good thing, but as a consequence your parents will really miss your absence.
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