2 Weeks To Go

I discovered last night that the two weeks leading up to your 21st birthday are the most difficult two weeks of your non-legal years. Last night we celebrated the birth of our wonderful roommate N. The five of us, along with her boyfriend, went to Mad Mex in the Gateway to celebrate her finally being legal. I’ll admit I was happy just to be able to take in the festivities since most bars are 21+, but since we went to a restaurant, E and I were able to enjoy the sight of N taking her first shot of Jack Daniels – her boyfriend’s terrible idea! When the waitress asked what we would all like to drink, E and I asked for our traditional waters as the rest of the table sipped on margaritas, sangria, and lemon shots. At times I get frustrated because I know there is absolutely no difference between me today and me in two weeks, but rules are rules and my day is right around the corner.

I had no problem not being 21 until this year rolled around. Even as far up to December we all seemed to be in the same boat. January, however, hosted a slew of parties and many bar trips for our friends and neighbors. Now that M is 21, as well as most of my friends and roommates, the anticipation of my birthday is more than I can stand. M informed me of all she did at the bars in New Mexico when she was visiting J, and I was very jealous. Thinking about how I will be able to do all of that soon enough made the waiting even more difficult. Thirteen short days until I can finally go to bars to mingle, dance at clubs, and buy my own alcohol. I have a feeling these next two weeks are going to be the longest two weeks I have ever experienced.

I want to point out that being 21 for me is not about getting wasted every night. I absolutely hate the next day hangover that leaves me in bed for the weekend, and my attempts to get fit would be thwarted by cocktail after cocktail. What I do want is the social experience that comes from being 21 (and one margarita never hurt anyone). There are so many people to meet and so many fun things to do in this world. Once you are 21, there are very few things you can’t do (well, you can’t rent a car, but that’s about it). I’m sure being legal will get old quick. My bank account cannot support bar hopping four nights a week, but I’m hoping that I will broaden my social horizons and come out of my comfort zone by hitting the dance floor. The waiting is hard, but I can say that unlike other people I know, I am legit excited for this birthday. I never had a fake I.D. to get me into bars, so I will truly be experiencing some of this for the first time. I’ll only be 21 once, and I plan on living it up!