Thank you, 19, and here's to 20!

I have this thought.

It's giving me chills. 

It's making me nervous.  

It's not giving me the excitement like I always had. 

Has it always been this scary to think of? 

I'm somehow worried.

Because I'm now 20.

Being a teen was a great pace, although I can't say anything much about life just yet; but observing and concluding from my view of people, being a teen is an extraordinarily special age range.  It's when you really get to experience what it means to be young, free and stupid at times.

I'd like to share some of the feelings or (weird) changes I've observed as I bridged myself from 19 to 20 (tweenteen wiee)

1. Small talks < Deep talks

Back in my teenage years, I always initiated hanging out just
for the sake of discovering a new place, taking lots of pictures and spend the entire time laughing out with friends.  Yet now, I hang out to de-stress from the draining world, to have deep talks and have life updates over the serious and silliest things. Now, I can even endure without having to IG story everything.

2.  I absolutely ignited this love and appreciation for mugs (or kitchenware)!!!

Before, I really can't understand why mugs are acceptable gifts for adults! Like, why on earth is a mug considered a universal present? When you can't think of what gift will you buy, people would suggest giving a mug. Then, as I got older, I had this sudden thing for mugs! I even find myself in pleasure in the kitchenware/furniture section. Hehe?

3. Cropped tops used to be my thing, but not anymore! Haha

Oh, our styles evolve as we grow older.  I wouldn't shame myself for wearing cropped tops and high waist pants before coz hey, it's a youngster thing! But I wonder how I'd look like today if I'll wear my 16 year-old style.

4.  I have come into acceptance that lipsticks are not just for the high-maintenance girlz (haha)

Before, I thought that only chics had the right to own a lipstick, but my internship days initially reinforced me that lipstick is a must.  So, today, I feel incomplete going out without any ink on my lips.  Lipsticks are not kaartehan, it's just a need (said Hannah Borja at 20 haha)

5. Buying scented things, oil, or anything random and cute.

I find myself buying the most random stuff, anything that I think can make my room or house cute. May it be a scented oil, candle, frames, ornaments or organizers. In short, any store like Daiso has somehow became like watsons to me hahaha

6. Facing the reality that my school ID is not anymore enough as a valid ID

Hey you're 20, and you don't have any valid ID? Uhm school ID ma'am/ser, pwede? Pero, reality speaks I have to get na all the clearances, license, government issued ID's. Lage, magkuha na ko. I could have gotten it before, but I thought I was way too young pa kasi, feeling ko 'no? Haha

And so much more!!! Honestly, I'm just in the state of accepting the fact that I'm finally 20! This may be a terrifying number, but I know, this is a fresh start, a new beginning of a greater journey ahead.  I have had a youthful teenage life.  I've had the time of my life joining several camps, youth camp or scouting camps. Undoubtedly swam in a mud.  Fearlessly climbed a rope course with no safety gear. Tried heart-stopping and worth screaming rides.  Hopped from cafe to cafe in the city because curiosity kills, up until I found few cafes where my heart resides. Being the best fangirl I could ever be! Bravely travelled to places on our own because I just wanted to try! Meeting friends along the way!

 Oh, youth, the vibrance you bring is unforgettable!

Time flies. Things change. Priorities evolve.  But doesn't mean I'm now entering 20's then my teen spirit is lost.  It will always be present but it will never be the same as before, undeniably.  So to you, who is still cherishing his/her teen years, choose and live out experiences that are worth remembering as you grow old. Always go for what you makes your heart alive because you'll never know what's next, until adulthood happens to you.

To the people who are already in the 20's, please welcome me to the club! Haha

So, to my co-just turned 20, here's to to stepping into 20's and achieving more dreams! Here's to 20 and never getting any younger! After all, life must go on :)

Thank you for reading, and don't forget that God loves you!

Radiating sunshine,

Hannah Borja

Photos by: Monica Borja