Happy 18th Birthday! -Into Adulthood

My birthday and I'm typing this at my new place at KL. Just finished one of the activity days. There are a few days of activities planned for us while we wait for our actual intake date (which is on 9th). Not the actual IB orientation though (which is on 9th and 10th)

Initial expectation: I wished my birthday is earlier because now is like the most awkward time ever to have a birthday. Not even celebrating with family because I'm already here at KL. Not celebrating with old friends because they have all gone to colleges near and far. Not celebrating with new friends because we've just known each other for like only a few days ago. So yeah, my birthday this year is caught between a life transition. Sad.

Update: That was what I thought, but I did get a couple of nice surprises. First, JM actually planned to sing me a birthday song at 12am, in the middle of the night, by phone. LOL. Omg so touched right. :') Thanks haha.
Second, yesterday there was this getting-to-know-you session with some of my new IB coursemates and there was a couple of us who have birthdays in July. They sang us the birthday song. It was very funny and a little awkward. Today I got birthday wishes from them and surprisingly a birthday song (again!) from all of them during lunch. Was so surprised. Lol. Thanks guys (if any of you are reading this). :)))
And also I celebrated with my family and relatives 2 days earlier with a creme brulee cheese birthday cake! <3

I've been part of many birthday parties (surprise or planned alike) and I love them. Especially surprise ones because the birthday person is super super surprised and happy! And celebrations are always cheerful, plus there are many photography moments. ;)

But I've never had a birthday party. Lol. I used to ask my parents for one when I was in primary school, but they balked at the idea of having to plan and clean up afterwards. So I grew up without one and still never had one. I'm not really bothered about it really, because it's not a big deal, but it would have been nice to have one. Especially a surprise one. I don't know why but I just hate doing the planning for something for myself. Like farewells and parties.

Maybe that could be my secret wish. Hmm.

Anyway, I've got the usual mass of birthday wishes on Facebook (how many of them really remember?) and some phone text wishes from closer friends. :)
I also got some nice presents from them. This year, early group presents are all the rage among my SHHS friends. So the majority of my birthday presents are given early in the year.

The most popular one is undoubtedly my Orca. It's a big orca whale plushie from ZG which I actually chose while at a gift shop. I know I'm 18, not 8, but I still love plushies. <3 And I brought it to KL as well. Because most of my close SHHS friends were there at the time, I feel like I'm bringing a piece of good memories with them to KL. ^.^

(but I don't like human dolls, 'cause they scare me and I never had a human doll. Teddy bears are too common. I like something unique but not scary/disgusting. Like an orca whale. :P)
Thank you to everyone who sent a wish/gave a present. Love you all. :)

Orca says hi!

I guess as I grow up and become older, I cease to care how many people/friends really remember my birthday. (not an excuse for you to forget :P) But rather I reflect back and think how many people really care about me. Are they really good friends if all they did is send you a birthday wish and nothing else in a year? So instead of getting all upset about whether people remember my birthday, I think I treasure more those who remember to care about me and how I'm doing. :)

And also I guess as I turn a year older I should think of the past year and what I have achieved, and also the future year and what I want to achieve?

The Past Year:
Before I left for KL I visited SHHS once more and saw that this long-awaited banner has been hung up:

See me at the top? ;) I got 11As. 9A+, 2A
The awesome girl who got 11A+ is my best friend and study mate. :P
And the three girls who got 10As are my best friends and study mates too! :DDD
I'm so happy all of us got straight As.
As a matter of fact, only two of the students above are from other classes. The rest are my classmates. :)
Btw I know there's only a few of us...we're by no means a premiere school. BUT we have a small student body and a very close-knit school community.

I'm not trying to be conceited, but I just want to say that I am still very happy at getting all my As including 9 with +s. It was of course my aim but it still came as a huge surprise because I was predicted doomed (not even A-) in the sciences and Add Maths in trial exams and every other school exams. I ended up slaving over them, asking my best friends who are way better than I am (I'm the worst) tons of questions and having them stay back after school to teach me topics that I have no idea in.

They were awesome study mates and "teachers", teaching me (after being taught by tuition teachers) easier ways to understand. And if you ask me why I didn't go to tuition, it's because my parents don't believe in tuition. :/
I'm glad I have my best friends, but if you don't have friends like that, then finding a good tuition would be very helpful if you are struggling in class.

Oh and I love my 11A+ study mate because we slaved together over Accounting (only two of us took this as an extra to pure sciences). We went to extra tuition (no school classes) together, struggled with the Accounting project together, sat for extra school exams together, and studied together. And got A+ together. :D

I know there are way many people with my results but I don't care. I think I've done my best and to me it is already good considering I dislike and struggled with so many subjects that I took. I think that's my happiest and proudest achievement for the past year and deserved to be included in this birthday post. :D

The Future Year:
My future year is the first year of IBDP (first semester starts early July). I'm hoping to actually enjoy the whole year until my next birthday, have lots of fun, learn lots of things, meet lots of people, have lots of new friends, experience lots of stuff and just have a great year. I'm hoping to meet up with old close friends too, because they've been my rock through SPM. :)

Besides that, there are two semester exams (one in December and one in June) and of course I really want to score the highest possible for them. Not for any obligations, but more for my personal satisfaction. What's more satisfying than seeing a row of 7s right? :P
(7 is the highest grade for IBDP)

Turning 18 also means I'm legally of adult age. It's called the legal age of majority, which means I'm no longer a minor (child). I have less restrictions now. For example, I can:

• Get married without consent from parents (not so fast, thank you very much)
• Buy cigarettes (not for me!)
• Sex with someone 18 and above legally (no premarital sex for me. I know I'm traditional)
• Watch 18 rated movies at cinemas (this is awesome! Remember how stupid it is to have to leave because our favourite movies are rated 18?)
• Work full-time (hmm...not for me, yet.)
• Obtain a savings account/ATM card/Debit card without consent/joint account with parents (haven't done this yet)
• Leave the country without parents' consent (hahaha)
• Be an organ donor (maybe a few years later)
• Get into certain casinos for with a 18 and above rule (I did it in Vietnam!)
• Go to jail (no more juvenile centres =.=)
• Buy and sell property (no money haha)
• Buy and sell stock investments (no money too)
• Set up a business company (not now!)
• Etc...

Anyway, who cares, the important thing is I'm 18!
Happy birthday to me! ;)

Love,