I'm 21.

It doesn't seem real to be 21 years old. I don't feel ready. It seems like I was just getting used to being 18 and suddenly here I am, twenty-freaking-one.

It might sound very selfish, but I didn't think anyone was going to remember my birthday. I mean, my closest friends are 2 hours away, my immediate family is halfway around the world, and the family I live with--well, they don't get much into celebrating birthdays. They'd rather give you some money and be in bed by 9.

However, when I woke up on Monday morning, I got to my computer and discovered multiple emails from people all around the world, (in fact, the first one I read was from Australia), wishing me a happy birthday. It seems that my parents decided to have some fun and emailed everyone they knew, asking them to email me a birthday message. Most sent pictures with signs that read "Happy birthday Emily." My parents even went to church and my old school with such a sign and took pictures of people to send to me.

Then, there was facebook.com. Last year for my birthday I had expected all these happy birthday wishes on my facebook wall but no one did. I think only 3 people outside of my family remembered my birthday on their own. So, after that sad day, I really didn't expect to have any comments on my facebook. Again, I was wrong.

I'm not saying this to brag or anything. I was quite honestly overwhelmed and humbled by all the people that just took the time to say "Happy birthday." I even cried!

Then, that night my grandparents and I went out for dinner and my two friends Anna and Peter showed up as a surprise! We had dinner and then went home for ice cream and cake.

It was probably one of my best birthdays.

Unfortunately, the day after my birthday I got some strange news that I don't feel comfortable sharing with the world at the moment. Suffice to say, my week was slightly darkened and I've been living in a strange mood since then. The sad thing is that it seems like my 21st birthday has now been rubbed in my face. It's like, "Haha, you really are an adult now! Let's attack you with this crap and watch as you squirm and wish you were still a kid! Muahahaha!"

[I'm listening to The Academy Is...'s "The Phrase that Pays" and it just seems to fit so perfectly with my mood lately.]

But I'm not going to think about that because I am going to party this Monday! WHOOHOO! Who has tickets to see not 1, not 2, but 5 bands? I DO!!!

Yes, Monday night I shall be rocking out to the live tunes of some of my favorite bands [The Academy Is..., +44, and FALL OUT BOY!!! to name a few]. I'm going with Anna and it is going to be so much fun!

And then I'll deal with my crazy life.

In the infamous words of Scarlet O'Hara:
"I won't think about that today; I'll think about it tomorrow."

Real mature and responsible of me, wouldn't you say?