17 is a pretty big age. It's moving past 16, and one year before 18. And those two are pretty big ages in the teenage world today. 17 is just well, there as the odd one. And I am the odd one on September 8th PST tomorrow, and right now I'm looking at my life and myself and I really don't feel 17.

That or I don't want to. School's started again and I'm in my final year of high school, so things are definitely going to be busy. Part of me wants to stay a bit longer, but part of me just wants to get out and go to university, do what I'm supposed to do and get what I'm supposed to get. Then again, that's no way to really look at life.

This isn't really me being depressed - this is so much more a real eye-opening "wow, I've made it this far" experience. So much has happened to me over the years - it's been how many years since I first joined dA at, what, 11 - 12 years old? And look how much I've improved then yet I'm still learning. And it can all be marked down with several hobbies: the Neopets days, the Dragon Booster days, the CBZ days...I haven't forgotten those and nor do I want to, but it seems to be drifting away from me quite easily as I grow. Even though there is unfinished business I'd like to accomplish, of course, in each field.

Basically, I'm about to be an adult. I'm not there legally yet - that's one more year where I can drive a car by myself, I go to university, I can legally drink a pina colada since that's the only kind of cocktail and alcolawl I can stand - it's a lot. Until then, though, I just have to prepare for that time and here's the age to do it while getting as much as I can done. This is going to be the year where I really define myself and grow up, and become a more responsible person who can accomplish what she can. Thank you to all that have stood by me in the past and in the present and who can in the future from anywhere and from anytime and with anything whatsoever - you've all been so great to me, and without you all, I wouldn't be the person I am today.