This is unbelievable. I am legal, I am eighteen. So, what now?  The day I’ve been dreading has finally come. How does it feel to live in the world for a decade and eight? Honestly, it’s exhausting, I wish I was forever young. I know I still am, but being eighteen means that you have more—and bigger—responsibilities ahead so you are now in control of yourself. You need to make rational decisions and have established principles.  Yep, you’re no longer a baby.

I wonder what adulthood has in store for me, knowing that this is just the beginning of that chapter in my life. There are lots of things I can’t wait to see, places I can’t wait to visit, people I want to meet—the list goes on. I have so much dreams I can’t wait to pursue. All I’m praying for is the courage to pursue them all.  This is just the beginning. It seems terrifying but I am looking forward to all of it with a heart full of hope and positivity. Life may be more difficult and serious but this will lead me to where I want to be. I know that my time will soon come and everything is going to be worth the wait.

Right now, I just want to thank everyone for all the greetings, gifts, and messages! Words can’t express how grateful I am to live a life like this. My heart is overflowing with gratitude and happiness. You guys are one of the greatest gifts I had in my life. It may not be a perfect birthday but it’s a blessed one, indeed. I thank You all for everything. Thank You.

To my parents, thank you, thank you, thank you. I love love love love you. I’m so sorry for the times I let you down and for the times I demand too much, alam niyo na! To my friends, I am so sorry for the times I can’t spend with you. I love you all and I hope you understand, just remember I am always here for you all.  To my readers and followers, thank you all for the undying support! Thank you for reading this at this moment. All of this will be impossible without you guys! Thank you everyone for all the greetings! To my Cor Unum family, my advisers and teachers, Twitter, Snapchat, and  Instagram friends, my titos and titas of Pampanga, my relatives, THANK YOU ALL. I can’t express how happy and grateful I am.

For the past two years, my annual obligatory birthday post seems boring so I thought of a twist to make it a lot more meaningful and memorable. Allow me to share a few things I learned in my 18 years of existence! Let’s get started!

1. Sometimes, what you want isn’t exactly what you need. –  Wow, ako pa nagsabi nito ‘no? Growing up, I have a penchant for all things fancy, but as I grew older, it just occurred to me that I should prioritize my needs over wants. Although there are times when my wants become my needs, like monthly Spotify subscriptions and some skin products. Hahaha! Bottomline is, needs over wants talaga. Or if you can’t, make sure mag-ipon ka! (Kung wala kang dalang pera, dapat may dala kang parent. Joooke! Love you mom and dad! :P) 
2. Life is short. – Parang ikaw. Joooke! Spend it well and do things that you enjoy, do something that will make you a better person and that will make the world a better place. Will you live or simply exist? Live everyday like it’s your last. Live it to the fullest but live responsibly. 
3. Education is important. – I have no words, this is just the most important thing of all. Right now, I am so motivated to learn and finish school. Difficult, yes, but worth it. Otherwise, I’m doomed.
4. Nothing worth having comes easy. – Be it in love, in school, in work and everything. Everything takes time. Wag kang atat. Know how to wait, and most importantly, you should know how to work. Keep the faith and hold fast to your dreams! Success doesn’t happen overnight.
5. Fastfood will never ever be healthy. – It’s not just bad for the skin, it’s bad for your overall health as well. Including soft drinks! Not only do they make me acidic but I also get the sluggish/irritating feeling after I drink Coke. I don’t know if it’s just me but yeah, unexplainable. Starbucks isn’t healthy too, they make you fat while making your wallet starve. Everything in moderation lang talaga. May our bodies get slimmer and our wallets fatter. (Pero mahal ko pa rin ang Chickenjoy! <3)
6. Be a role model. – Kahit sabihin pa nilang bossy, pabida, epal, papansin, or pabibo ka, as long as you know that you’re doing what is right and you’re responsible, ignore those losers. Remember that you should always be a good example specially to the younger ones. Will the 5 year old you be proud of who you are now?  Think about it.
7. Stop expecting perfection. – I am the type of person who wants everything to be perfect, I want everything to go according to plan and I am struggling to be perfect. But that will never ever happen, sadly. Nobody’s perfect.
8. You are blessed more than you think. – The fact that I have a roof above my head, clothes on my back, and that  I can eat more than three times a day, means that I am beyond blessed. Even having a complete family is also a big blessing. Not everyone can have the same kind of life I live that’s why I should always be thankful for every single thing He gives.
9. WHITE SHIRTS ARE STYLE ESSENTIALS. – You can’t go wrong with white shirts. Own a white shirt in all forms — button down, long-sleeved polo, statement white shirt, turtleneck shirt, or just a plain white tee. In case you have noticed, I always wear white because it’s presko, it’s easy to match, and it’s very classic. It’s my number one closet must-have!
10. Sunscreen a day keeps aging away. – Save yourself from sunburn, skin cancer, and wrinkles. Use sunscreen every single day.
11. You can’t have it all. – That’s because you are not perfect. Hindi ibibigay ni Lord ang lahat sa’yo. May mga gwapo at magaganda pero shunga, meron din namang matatalino pero di maganda yung genetic make up. Hahaha! Joke lang! Sometimes, you can do this while someone cannot, and vice versa. Ask me what to do now? Appreciate yourself and be confident. You are unique and you have your own talents and capabilities. Take advantage of your strengths and work on your weaknesses. You can do so much better if you stop comparing yourself to others! Instead of saying “You are this, and I am not.” say “I am this and you are not.” Haha!
12. Read everyday. – The more you read, the more you know. Educate yourself and exhaust all your possible resources. You have the internet within reach, use it to your advantage. (Sana ganito na lang lagi ginagawa ng mga tao ‘no? Di yung nag-iinternet para magpakalat ng fake news, para mang-away etc.) You can learn a thing or two by simply reading articles or watching TED or Youtube videos! It’s important to read (or watch) to expand your knowledge. Learning should never stop! Remember, a fat brain is sexier than a fat ass!
13. If you have strict parents, be thankful. – I know it’s heartbreaking when they say NO when you want to hang out with your friends or attend a party, or when you’re asking for money or anything. Amazing how that two letter word can break your heart; it’s all gut-wrenching but be thankful that you have parents like them.  It shows that they care for you and they love you. I wouldn’t be the same OC, responsible, and matured person I am right now without them. (Naaaaks!!) Kung wala sila, siguro nasa rehab na ako o kaya dropout na ako. LOL.
14. Home cooked meals are the best. – As a true blooded Kapampangan, food is so much better at home (like literally at home or in Pampanga) talaga.
15. Staying in is better than going out. – Being an introvert makes me choose to stay at home than go out with my friends. (Sorry guys, anti-social talaga ang kuya niyo.) Mas gusto ko pang nasa bahay, chilling and all. Ewan, ang gastos kasi pag lumalabas! If you have 500 pesos right now, mamaya bente na lang yan and you just wonder where did your money go. #PAANO (Disclaimer: Lumalabas din ako no! Boring din sa bahay minsan and I like spending my parents’ money HAHAHA.)
16. Choose the right people. – The older you get, the more you realize who your true friends are. Keep the circle small. Also do yourself a favor and distance yourself from people who are detrimental to your well-being. I wish I can give up on the toxic people in my life. Or why don’t they just leave?! Hell, the trash can’t take itself out.
17. Social Media is deceiving. – What happens in Instagram isn’t what happens in real life. Life isn’t as good as what you see online. There are people who have the privilege to do different things so stop comparing your lives to them. You can choose to be inspired or to be inggit. If you choose the latter,  mark my words, life isn’t the same for everyone else. Everyone is born under different circumstances so yeah, appreciate your own life and stop being jealous.  Do something productive instead!
18. Grooming is key. Take care of yourself. – You guys should never ever ignore your appearance. Never underestimate the power of combing your hair, wearing something nice, taking care of your skin, et cetera. You never know who you’re going to bump into, so make sure you look nice and presentable at all times! #Kaartehan101

That’s it! I know I’m still young and there’s so much more to come. I’m just eighteen and l’m just getting started. This journey won’t be possible without you all! Can’t wait to see what life has in store for me! Adulthood, I’m coming for you! Thank you all once again! 🙂