I’m turning 24 on Monday, but I feel like I’ve grown more than that and now I think like a 30something. Trivia: January 9, my birthday, is called “Coming of Age Day” in Japan. Suits me, right? Anyway, here are the signs that you’re age-ing like I am:
- You hate Lady Gaga and Rebecca Black. And you probably do not like Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, and Justin Bieber. You think it’s a waste of airtime when you hear their songs on the radio. Real music to you is classical piano and strings instrumental. And when you’re in the karaoke bar with your friends, you belt out “Alone” by Heart or sing with demure “All This Time” by Tiffany, “Too Many Walls” by Cathy Dennis and “Steep” by Lauren Christy.
- You frown upon teenage girls wearing short shorts and thick make-up chatting loudly about their love lives in a public transport. It irks you that they really don’t know what they are talking about. You think they don’t know what love is and how to handle a relationship at age 14. You silently wish them good luck on their studies and hope they won’t get pregnant any time soon. And as they get off the vehicle, you hold your stare silently worrying about what will become of the children in the future, especially your would-be kids.
- You know the difference between need and want when you go to the mall. You don’t want to spend your money on Iphones, Ipods, and DSLR cameras even if they please your eyes. You think you can spend the money on more important things like tissue paper, soap, shampoo, and of course, the bills. You just want to save up your hard earned money or donate it to charity.
- You watch the news more than the telenovelas or some variety show. You feel bad when you miss TV Patrol or 24 Oras because you won’t know what is happening in the Philippines and the other things in the society. Your favorite channels are GMA News TV, CNN, and BBC.
- You give more than you receive, specifically on special occasions. You’re the one giving your ninongs and ninangs pamasko on Christmas. And you don’t expect your parents to give you gifts even on your birthday. In fact, you treat out more and more people on your special day. And it doesn’t bother you that much anymore.
- You’re gaining friends whose ages are 30 up. The recent one is a 40something married man, who is a lawyer by profession, an Atenean, and probably a basketball varsity player in high school, whom you just have given a love advice. You just told him to bite the bullet and act like a grown up man that he is. And your advisee was surprised that a little thin sickly (and let’s add cute) girl like you can say something like that. Then, he gives you an analogy that you’re like Olive Oil telling that to Popeye.
- You finally accepted that you win some, you lose some — relating it to social relationships. You have the moment of clarity and realized that some people, your ex for example, might not be good for you, especially for your health, so you have to cut ties with them. And then you keep those people who support and take care of your emotional health.
- You use “you” and “us” more often than “I” and “mine.”
- You pat yourself on the back every time you realize you have a higher EQ now than when you were sweet 16.
If you just had a stiff neck and got tired of nodding because of the list above, then you’re Cristta 2.0. Welcome to adulthood, my friend! 
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buddy, feeling ko wla pa ako dyan. matagal tagal ko pa ata mararating ang stage na yan. hahaha.
understandable buddy kasi girls mature faster than boys. it really doesn’t come with age naman eh. it’s just that on my 24th, as I look back, I had so many realizations and hopefully wisdom beyond my years.
For me, classical stuff will always be, well, classical, but real music isn’t limited with that… real music is all about the human element on songs, so I kinda frown upon most auto-tuned songs nowadays. Sure, it is what pop music is all about now, but I just hope that people wouldn’t depend that much on computers, and then just sing and play instruments as it is.
And the other stuff… I can relate, especially with the mall part. I’ve been listening more needs than wants nowadays, but oh, I really need to work my butt off to get more dough.
And hi there, Cristta! Nice blog you got here.
Hello there! Thanks! How did you find me?! Haha! I appreciate it that somebody takes an interest on reading my crazy thoughts here. Hehe.
Anyway, just so you know, I also listen to other genres of music. In fact, I am very much appreciative of rock music. If you will read up the older posts, I wrote something about rock music, which is really my taste, especially when I was younger. It’s just that now that I’m 24, I’ve learned to appreciate classical music and instrumental, because they make me feel relaxed. I still listen to rock music though, most of the time, yes, especially when I’m angry. Haha! And you’re right, music touches our humanity. But yeah, pop music kinda irks me now. Are you a 90s baby, too? Music was still great up until the 90s.
Anyway, with the malls, you know, I really want to buy a DSLR camera, because I like taking photos and an Ipod, because I love music. But nah, the money goes to the bills. Haha! I’ll work harder, too, so I can buy them, without the guilt. Hehe.
1. I too choose ‘Alone’ when I am in a videoke bar with friends. Don’t you just love singing ala Anne Curtis? LOL.
2. I frown, and often wondered why I wasn’t like that when I was in highschool. I looked hideous way back! Haha!
3. I was so keen on having a DSLR last year; it’s an understatement to say that I was obsessed with it. Then I suddenly realized it’s not what I needed right now. But I still want it though. Haha. I just can’t afford it right now.
4. Uhm, I’m not like this though. Haha. I’d rather watch ‘My Binondo Girl’ than the news; there are some depressing things on the news and sometimes I’d rather not hear ’bout them.
5. Hooray! I am not alone! Hahaha. If it weren’t for the kabilaang kris kringle, I wouldn’t have received any gift! Hahahaha.
6. Yes, I find it easy to talk with people older than me.
7. I haven’t really paid attention on those words.
9. Yes, and I pat my back when I am able to count to ten before I let my anger and frustration out. I mean verbally. I can’t just stop myself writing about my frustrations.
So that’s 7 out of 9? I’m really a grown up? Hahahaha.
7 out of 9, not bad, eh? Yeah, I think we’re all grown-ups now. It takes a lot of courage to accept that though. Because deep inside me, I don’t want to grow up still. I used to hate the adult world. I relate myself to Holden Caulfield of ‘Catcher in the Rye’ (this is a good book to read, coming-of-age). But here I am living in that world which I have a love-hate relationship with. I guees we just have to enjoy the freedom and the experiences that being an adult entails. Carpe diem!
Pardon the misspelling. *guess Hehe.
Haha! Hmm, okay. I’ll try to find that book. Yes, maybe it’s time I accept I’m already getting old. Hihihi. I’m turning 24 too in two months’ time.
Do try to read that book. Actually, I’m totally thinking of reading it all over again. I first read the book when I was 18. I found it very confusing at that time. But now, it makes so much sense to me now. So I want to read it again, because this time I know I can understand the whole thing. Anyway, happy birthday to you in two months! Happy hatch day and welcome to adulthod!
I have just finished reading your posts, up to the first post! Congrats to me, and thanks to the boring day here at the office. Haha.
Sure, I will add the book on my list. Buying, and reading books is one of my resolutions [http://juyjuy.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/2012-resolutions-anyone/].
Ang haba na pala ng comment sessions natin dito. Pwede nang chat! Haha
Wow! Congrats! You sure are bored! Will read yours too, when I find the time. Natutuwa lang ako sayo at na-alert lang ako ng emails kaya ako nakakapagreply. But promise, I’ll read your blog because I’m curious too. Anyway, I’ve kept this blog since second year college and if you notice, there has been some maturity in the way I write. I’d like to think that there is. Haha!
But yeah, some are just random posts, masabi lang ba. Hehe. Yeah, parang chat na to! Haha! 
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Haha. Our network’s kind of down. On and off ang net. Nagpost na ako ng comment ko dito kanina. Haha! Naku, just like you, my blog contains random posts from my very ordinary life. Haha. You can add me up, if you want. juyjuycorsame. Yan ang YM ID ko.