Pages

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Reflections on Age 18

As of right now, as I begin this blog post, I was born exactly nineteen years, twelve hours, and thirty minutes ago. It's strange how slowly this realization has been sinking in for me. When I was younger, I would jump around town for a full month screaming my new age, alerting the neighbors, asking polietely that everyone drop everything to pay me my much-deserved attention. But slowly, the novelty of having lived another year is wearing off. So much that, as I glanced at my phone this morning, I had to think for a second about why my heart had jumped at the date. September 15th? What happens on September 15th? Oh, right. Nothing. My brain has just been conditioned to begin bursting with anticipation for the 16th.

I wish I could compile some kind of sappy tribute to the previous year of my life, complete with detailed accounts of what made it special, but I just don't think I have it in me tonight. I've been doing a lot of homework, talking to a lot of friends, and scarfing a lot of bagel sandwiches. Such strenuous activity can sap up a girl's energy. Instead, however, I will list eighteen frivolous memories, in no particular order, to remind myself of this age. Not because I've given tonight's blog post a ton of thought, but because I know I would hate myself later if I didn't put forth any effort. And so, dear readers, below is my time capsule of the last year.

1. I opened my first real, adult bank account, to which I deposit my real, adult paychecks. And when I visit the bank, nobody gives me a lollipop or plastic dinosaur. (Not that I wouldn't greedily accept either, should the tellers decide to offer them.)
2. I registered to vote in a presidential election. America's first black president was sworn into office while Jess and I walked down the hallway of our high school, and we paused on our way back to class to stare at the clock and count down, "Five, four, three, two, one. HAPPY PRESIDENT!"
3. I entered a sex shop, and while I cringed and closed my eyes for most of the visit, the entire experience was legal.
4. I purchased cigarettes at a Circle K, breaking the heart of the little old man behind the counter who, upon checking my valid ID, knew he had to sell them to me.
5. I grasped my high school diploma, tweeted all kinds of inapporpriate reactions to my newfound freedom, and called every teacher I passed on my escape by his or her first name.
6. I dyed my hair an unnatural color and sometimes dressed outrageously for the amusement of my friends and the shock factor from my public school.
7. I read William Shakespeare's Hamlet for the first time, and subsequently had my life altogether changed by a play.
8. I kissed four boys, and while giggling, pecked each of the other fiveawesomegirls at midnight on New Year's.
9. I peirced my ears.
10. I reached 20,000 subscribers on my personal YouTube channel where, over the last year, I posted thirty-one videos.
11. I managed to never get arrested, get into a bona fide car accident, or acquire a parking ticket... greatly surpassing the world's expectations.
12. I ate some number significantly larger than twenty-nine Chipotle burritos.
13. I made new friends that are like fountains of joy, and weeded out a few old drains.
14. I did something secret and amazing with my best friend. Something you still can't know about, but is still seriously worth noting.
15. I starred in a musical I actually loved.
16. I moved away from my childhood home to a beautiful college campus, where I'm expected to take care of and look after myself. (When my big sister isn't available, of course.)
17. On September 16, 2008, I was genuinely in love. The relationship ended at an undeterminable point during the months to follow, and it took most of the rest of this year to reach the point where I don't operate under a constant state of pain. I'm glad it happened, though, because on September 16, 2009, I will have relearned how to love myself, independent of another's opinions.
18. Less than a year ago, I began writing a blog. At first, it was just a way to pass the time. Now, it is consistently the most relaxing and meditative part of my day.

Eighteen is my lucky number, and I think I did it justice.

Sexy: The free ice cream I picked up this afternoon just from smiling and nodding as a ditzy blonde talked to me about the prospect of joining a sorrority. To be honest, I probably won't. The twist cone, however? Totally worth it.
Unsexy: Having to attend classes tomorrow! Doesn't the university realize it'll be my birthday? They can't expect me to listen to the world's quietest professor on my birthday!

Chipotle burritos this year: 29
Bagel Street visits this school year: 2
Subscribers: 20,408

Bye, guys! Hopefully I'll see you tomorrow, when I'll be a full nineteen years old. <3

97 comments:

Leah said...

<333

Eddy said...

Happy Birthday Hayley!!

The world is a lot better, not to mention awesome, since you entered!!

Ansley said...

I honestly hope my eighteenth year will be filled with that much awesome. Sigh, two years for me though.

Happy birthday, Hayley. Thank you for being one of the only true inspirations I have in my life. For that, I'm forever thankful. :)
<3.

Meghan said...

Happy birthday! :D
It's your day (well, about to be!) yet you're still selfless enough to make everyone elses'... that's a big deal. Therefore, you're a big deal. Whooo. :)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Hayley!

Ravenclaw2313 said...

Make your birthday amazing despite the classes, I know you can. Sounds like your year was wonderful and full of adventure (some of which I've read about on this blog).
Happy Birthday! <3

Nokorola said...

Happy Birthday Hayley Hoover.

This "I ate some number significantly larger than twenty-nine Chipotle burritos." makes me ponder what you mean by that.

I bet that strange things were afoot at the Circle K the night that you bought cigarettes.

Happy Birthday again.

abbs866 said...

Oh, the irony. The ad on this page was for a make-up cream and the slogan was "unless you're in a hurry to look your age..."
Happy 19, Hayley!

(And congrats on upping that Bagel Street number!)

On a side note, 183 is my lucky number - what does that mean for my 184th birthday?

erin meagan said...

hayley g h o o v e r you ready for another fabulous year? :P

Tom said...

I think the number one rule for everything ever should be Don't tell someone how amazing a secret is if you don't plan on telling it to them eventually. IMHO. No biggie. Just stop it haha.

It's awesome that you got to vote in Ohio since it matters there Hurray!
And now this is you're first non-Bush/Clinton birthday haha. Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAYLEY G HOOVER! xD I hope you have an incredible day and year <3 Enjoy being nineteen! =D

Anonymous said...

Lovely blog, it seems suiting for saying goodbye to 18. However, number 14 is just mean lol...I mean, I understand having a Best Friend Secret, but to dangle it like that! Ah, either way, I hope you have a great birthday!! By this time next year, your list will be even better, I'm sure. Happy Birthday!

Tenley Nadine said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rachelle said...

Happy Birthday Hayley! For your present, a real life Burrow! http://23.media.tumblr.com/EDuyRLALer11kcpeo7oiAvxXo1_400.jpg

Hope 19 is as good as 18. Coincidentally, my sister is turning 19 on the very same day!

Tenley Nadine said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Although I now feel really young (i.e., I'm also a freshmen in college, but I JUST turned 18 on the 12th). Wow... I'm so young.

Alex said...

Happy Birthday! Well, in 50 minutes.... And as you said you did something secret, is it a tattoo? Just a thought. I know you'll never spill.

Margaret said...

Happy birthday, Hayley! I would sing to you, but no one wants that. <3

Katherine said...

Happy Birthday, Hayley!

Despite sitting in a class with the quietest professor on earth, I genuinely hope you have a kick-ass day!

Holly said...

I'm desperate to know what you and your friend did that could be so secret!

Holly again said...

And Happy Birthday!

Unknown said...

happy birthday hayley!!!

Ellery said...

Happy Birthday Hayley! This is one of my absolute favorites of your blog posts, and it was inspiring to read about the changes and experiences you've had this past year. I feel almost like I know you now considering I've been reading your blog for a good while, and I just started college, too. I'm having fun also. :)

alyson said...

This is probably one of my favorite blog posts from you, for some reason. I can't quite place it. Anyway, happy early birthday!

goldensnitch said...

Happy Birthday Hayley! I hope it is a good one:)
You forgot one tiny little detail: How each year since you started making videos on YouTube, you have inspired thousands of people to become more creative. Thank-you Hayley for all the things that you do.

to_thine_own_self said...

Happy birthday!

I've been 18 for exactly 2 months and I haven't done a thing. At all. Ugh.

So thank you for having this blog so I can at least read about someone else's adventures.

=D


Btw, my best friend just turned 19 as well. On the 13th.
So that's pretty cool.

traderbob11 said...

YOU SAY IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY-GONNA HAVE A GOOD TIME!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CUTIE!

Managed to never get arrested, and there are those that believe High School track won't help out in life.

The Vagabond said...

Happy Birthday!! I'm glad you had a great year and I hope you have another wonderful one that we, as your blog readers will be able to share with you.

Kara said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Please thank your parents for us for birthing you. Although I will give you credit for being awesome. So, thanks. Now, you better enjoy your last year of being a teenager!! And blog lots, because once you turn twenty, you might just disappear into a void and never return. You never know. :)

Olivia said...

Happy Birthday Hayley!!
I'm so glad that you choose to share your life with us, you are honestly an amazing person and I always look forward to your blogs. My 19th birthday is also this month so yey for September!

Anonymous said...

Hey, happy birthday! It's also my parents' nineteenth anniversary (yeah, I was born 11 months after they were married... >.>). Whoaaaaaaaa....

Janelle said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAYLEY!

I hope you have a great day and an amazing year to come!

Natasha said...

Happy Birthday, Hayley! I hope your 19th year is as awesome as your 18th <3

Emily said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAYLEY!!! I hope it's an amazing one! <33

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday sugar plum!

Hope you have a fantastic day!

<3333

Scott said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAYLEY! Thanks for making my life more fun! You're of legal age in all parts of Canada now!

PS. Your number 17 brought a tear to my eye.

Kristen said...

Happy Birthday Hayley!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Yep, that's right, you completely, absolutely, positively 100 percent sure deserve all those exclamation points. Sounds like eighteen was an awesome year and I'm quite sure nineteen will be even better.


*sidenote-do you remember an awful informercial for a super-hearing device (okay, I completely forgot the name, anyway). You know the one where it looks like your wearing a bluetooth but you can secretly listen in on other people's conversations? You should totally get that for the Quiet Professor.

long comment over : )

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Hayley!!!

Also I get you on the class thing. My 18th birthday was the 27th and I was livid with needing to go to school and work. I made it better by getting flowers and a balloon from my friend so I had an excuse to mention my birthday. I recommend picking one up and saying it's from someone or heavily hinting til one of your friends runs out and gets you one.

I hope you have a wonderful and awesome day <3

-Sarah, writing this on her sister's account because she's too lazy to log out

Arden said...

Happy Birthday Hayley! I hope 19 is as good for you as 18 was!

Kaitlyn w/ a K said...

Hooray for another Bagel Street visit! :-D But more importantly, I'm glad you did your eighteenth year justice, and I hope your nineteenth is even more wonderful.

Spacegirlnz said...

You'll fully enjoy being 19. It's not completely bad.

Britty said...

Happy birthday you beautiful, wonderful girl. May 19 be as amazing and life changing as 18 was. It's been fun watching you grow and to grow with you.

Elizabeth... said...

Everyone else is saying Happy Birthday but I already tweeted that so imagine the same sentiment when I say Best Wishes!

Those are 18 fine and dandy facts.

:D

ginger jones said...

Welcome to the unwonderful world of being nineteen! I'd love to tell you it's significantly amazing but it's really not but regardless I hope you have an awesome birthday with your friends!!!

eibbore said...

Happy Birthday Hayley.

Don't let the quietest professor ever get you down on your day!

babyporridge. said...

I feel like such an idiotic, presumptuous sap for telling you how proud I am of you, but really, I am.

While certainly no discredit to any of your listed eighteen things, I have to say that number seventeen is my favourite.

I'm glad that you've reached the point where you are glad about and acknowledge how heartbreak is so good for character building. You're my favourite phoenix, Hayley. Can't tell you enough how much I love you, your work & your spunk.

A very happy birthday again. I hope this year is even more thrilling. x

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAYLEY! I'll have to tell my friend she has the same birthday as Hayley G. Hoover! Have an awesome 19th. =]]]

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, Haley! And I hope you didn't wake up today, when you're nineteen, and suddenly decide that you are too mature to blog everyday. Please never stop!

Marie said...

Happy birthday Hayley (though it's a bit late). I hope every year after this one is worth remembering, and that you always enjoy your birthday. After all, it IS a celebration of you, and we're all glad you're here =)

comelygrace said...

Aw, what a good birthday blog. Congrats on making it all the way to 19 thus far, and I hope your day is just swell. Happy birthday! :)

Edward said...

Joyeux Anniversaire!

Hello there! said...

Happy Birthday Hayleyghoover!
Damn, you're getting old!

Celia said...

Happy birthday and best wishes, Hayley :]

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, Hayley!

VTBurninator said...

Happy Happy Birthday Hayley!! I loved nineteen..it's the perfect year! Enjoy and have a blast =) Can't wait to read your blog when you turn the big two-oh lol

Bethany said...

Happy Birthdayyyyy!!! :D

meaghanlittle said...

Happy Birthday Hayley! I hope its fantastic!!!!

Bel G. said...

Happy birthday from Brazil, Hayley!
I had this idea for a fiveawesome video (assuming that subscribers are allowed to suggest ideas), that would go something like: "fiveawesomegirls go global".
I don't quite remember how I got to the channel, but I'm thinking many foreigners watch the channel... We could send you vids and you guys could make a collab!

How does that sound?

Congratulations!

tranquilily said...

Happy Birthday! :)

Hilary said...

Happy Birthday Hayley!!! :)

Lea said...

Happy birthday Hayley.
I've been reading your blog for a few months, and honestly, you're an inspiration. So thankyou (:

Anonymous said...

**HAPPY BIRTHDAY!**

Its my friends birthday today too, she turned 18!

Hope you had a wonderful day xx

Kate M said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
XD we, your blog commenters, adore you! happy 19! yay!

emperessemma said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, congratulations on another year; we're all so glad you're still here. :)

x

Lucy said...

Happy birthday! Glag it was such a good year for you.

Unknown said...

Hi Hayley! I have been a long time reader but I don't really comment so I feel now is a good time to start! This was honestly inspiring to read. I hope my 18th year is filled with half as much awesome as yours was. I have no doubt in my mind that this year won't be twice as amazing!

Happy birthday! <3

Eric Gomez said...

Happy birthday!!!!

loveacrosstheocean said...

yessssss! birthday day! I hope its as wonderful as it can be given that you're in class.
<3

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday from Brazil, Hayley!

You're an awesome writer, an awesome Youtube... ok, I don't know you in person and everything (unfortunately), but I just know you're a great person!

All the best! o/ o/ o/

Ben said...

HAPPY HALEYDAY! YOUR BLOG KEEPS ME GOING!

seurat2 said...

Nothing original or exicitng to add here, just happy birthday to my favorite blogger. Hope it has been epic.

Louise Morgan said...

Happy birthday!!! :] <3

KimbraSaysRawr said...

Nineteen may seem rather mundane and unexciting (which, ya know, tends to happen when nothing too exciting comes with it), but this age has an entire year to redeem itself for you.
I really hope that it's amazing, and that it brings many new adventures and experiences!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!
: D

<3

Cat said...

Hayley, Happy Birthday!!!!!

Chris said...

Happy birthday, Hayley.
Following your blog and reading it religiously pretty much since you started it has been one of my favourite parts of the day. So thanks for that. Well done on a very successful year :)

Alex Dahlberry said...

Happpyyy birrthhhday!
Your 18th year sounded super amazing, and I can only hope it will be the same will for me.
You're an inspiration to me, and you totally deserve all your subscribers, friends, and good times.
You rock. You really do. =]
-alex

p.s. I plan on reading Hamlet now, because of you. :)

Arletta said...

Wow. 19... you seem so old and ... DISTANT now... :) I'm just kidding. (I'm 18, so your not that much older than me.)
Have a great birthday. Be a rebellious teenager for as long as you can!

Lizzie said...

Happy Birthday!!!!

What's even better than an 18 year old Hayley G Hoover?

Well a 19 year old one of course!

Hope the year brings you love, happiness and success and most of all lots of awesome inspiration for those words and pictures that make my life just a little bit better every day

<3

Allison said...

wow hayley you are exactly 2 years older than me

i'm seventeen today

i hope your birthday is lovely!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday! I love you, and I hope your this year is even better than the last. :D

Gavin said...

Happy Birthday!

Here's hoping your 19th year will be filled with beautiful memories.

Unknown said...

I was just watching Lizzie McGuire (and lovin' that it's back on Disney) and realized that, if your blog had a tv show, it would be exactly like it. I picture you as Lizzie and then your blog to be like the animated Lizzie inbetween scenes. Ok sorry that has almost nothing to do with this blih post but I just had to get that thought out of my head. Anyways, happy birthday!

Unknown said...

...And here I am making spelling and grammer mistakes on HayleyGHoover's blog (not blih).

W. Murdock said...

Happy Birthday to You (and Me)! I luckily did not have anything terribly important going on in my classes today, so I made the very difficult decision to not go to any of them today. Whether schools (or people for that matter) know it or not, today is a holiday! I hope you have great Birthday festivities today.

maddy said...

Happy Birthday, Hayley!! You are a brilliant writer, and a wonderful person. I hope you have a great nineteenth birthday <3

Indigo said...

Happy Birthday Hayley, you bring suck levels down with every blog and video you post <3

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday, I am glad you got free ice cream, even if it wasn't technically for your birthday ^__^

Katyisgoing said...

Happy Birthday, Hayley!

I hope your ninteenth year is just as great.

Adrienne said...

happy birthday!!

Jen said...

Happy Birthday. I envy you and wish I could go back. Your blogs about college are fantastic and make me nostalgic...and kind of bummed I didn't have the same experience. Guess that's why I enjoy reading about YOURS. Thanks for sharing with complete strangers!

Krislynn said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I hope you had an awesome day. I can't express to you how happy your little blog makes me every day and I thank you for sharing your life with us. I can't wait for the day you write a book, i think you would be a phenomenal author. Keep being awesome :) *hug*

Sara said...

Happy Birthday, Hayley! I hope you had an awesome day, because you really, really deserve it.

astrid said...

Happy Birthday Hayley,
Hope you had a great one.

Freya said...

Hayley Happy late birthday!

Im sorry I wasnt around yesterday to say it :(. Im in Canada, and have limited acces to the interwebs.

You really did do 18 justise, and you shoul be proud.

Freya said...

Hayley Happy late birthday!

Im sorry I wasnt around yesterday to say it :(. Im in Canada, and have limited acces to the interwebs.

You really did do 18 justise, and you shoul be proud.

VicMorrowsGhost said...

Happy Birthday!
I wish for you that every time you go to Chipotle this year no one you're with orders the bowl.

Anonymous said...

Hi, so i've followed you on youtube and decided to read your blog, and i have never read anything so full of life. I can agree with most everything you said about college as i am a freshman myself and have gone through the same things that you have. I really hope one day that you write a book, i know it would be great.

-Anonymous

Shelby Rebekah said...

i bet you have a tattoo!