Amazing still, it seems.

One decade ago, I turned 13.

Today, I am 23.

I was finally allowed to wear makeup. I proceeded to wear bright blue eye shadow every single day.

I’ve moved on to pink.

I had a pajama party with my friends. I wore boxers with huge yellow smiley-faces on them.

I don’t own a single thing with a smiley face, a peace sign, or a yin-yang sign on it.

I was in 7^th grade.

I have a college degree and a full-time job.

My best friend had bright red hair and we spent every Saturday having crazy adventures.

I have too many best friends to count. And we still have crazy adventures.

I wore as many butterfly clips in my hair as I could fit every day.

My hair is long and somewhat unruly. My favorite headband has a polka-dot bow on it.

I had a mouth full of crooked teeth.

Braces have worked wonders on my self-esteem.

I had never really sung before, but I joined choir solely because all my friends were doing it.

Choir defined my high school years. I ended up majoring in vocal performance for 2 semesters of college, and singing is still an integral part of my life.

I had a crush the size of Jupiter on the blonde boy in my math class.

I’ve had enough crushes to fill the solar system. And I no longer take math classes.

My favorite outfit involved a plaid skort and knee socks. Yes, a skort.

I think skorts and sporks belong in the same category. Symbols of everything awkward and unsure. I want nothing to do with either.

I rebelled by buying cherry coke and occasionally trying out a swear word or two.

Hoover Dam jokes are as risqué as I get, and Dr. Pepper is my new (rare) indulgence.

I gossiped and had mean-girl clique moments, just like everyone else.

I grew up. I love everyone.

I was first-chair violin in the 7^th-grade orchestra.

I stopped playing at age 15, but still haven’t given up on that dream just yet.

I was on the school volleyball team. I hated my coach because she knew I sucked.

I no longer say “sucked.” But I still hate things I’m not good at the first time I try them.

I listened to N’Sync, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, and the Now & Then soundtrack.

Still hold a dear place in my heart, and in my iPod. I collect music obsessively. (See my updated playlist. Return any time if you need a good mix.)

I wanted to write books, fall in love, do something memorable, and probably save the world.

Some things never change.

“Don’t give away the end.” –jimmy eat world