Hey time, would you mind slowing down? Wednesday, June 01, 2011 By Rebekah Rodriguez [ArticleImageHyperLink] Advertising At this very moment I am sitting in my journalism class, slowly savoring each minute until we're dismissed and set free like animals out of a zoo. Yet for some reason, I'm not as overjoyed as other years. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to have two and a half months of freedom---no dress code, not having to do my hair and makeup each morning, and definitely not having to wake up at the butt crack of dawn anymore. Maybe it's because some of my good friends are graduating...and it's a reminder that next year I'll be a junior, then a senior, and then thrown into the real world. Time's going by too fast, and I wonder if I'll ever catch up with it. It scares me knowing I have only these next two years to learn as much as I can about growing up, being on my own, and learning to live like a young adult. Maybe Peter Pan really did have the right idea. I wouldn't mind staying sixteen forever if it meant I'd never have to face the world with a brave face, but a nervous heart. Think about it: I am a socially awkward, undersized teenage girl with too much on her mind. I worry about everything. Even things that shouldn't matter just yet, like how I'm going to be able to afford college, and even if I'm going to be able to make it once I'm there. I've heard so many horror stories of nasty professors, twenty page essays, and surviving on nothing but noodles (which wouldn't be so bad, considering I don't want to gain any more weight in college). Then there's adult life: the seemingly endless stream of stress, bills, and monotony. I've always dreamed of living a life of adventure somewhere far, far away from Laredo but isn't that how some adults dreamed as well? The ones that are now still here in Laredo, working in jobs they hate, as long as it pays the bills. The number of adults I've met who actually enjoy their jobs is a very scarce number and while I don't like to reveal much about my personal life here, I'll just say that I don't live with them. I don't want to become like that. At the same time, I just can't wait to grow up. Other than the obvious perks of growing up(driving, the end of puberty, moving out of my house) I finally have the chance to be someone other than "Rebekah, the quiet girl in class." No, I want to be the one professors remember for her opinions and originality. I want to be able to live freely without the vicious eyes of high school students constantly looking at me, trying to bring me down. Simply put, I want to be somebody else once I'm out of here. There's no telling what the future brings for me, so I better stop worrying so much. It's hard since my brain is wired to over think everything, but I'll try. I've got to relax. I'm only going to be young and free for so long. So when they let us out in a few hours, it'll be a bit bittersweet. It's going to mark the end of another year gone too fast, but the start of a summer that I hope will be filled with fun and adventure. From here on out, it's time for me to seize the day.

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