HELLO everybody,
Before you say it... I know. I know it's been a while and I could give you some shitake mushroom excuse as to why (I was busy/My cat died/I don't own a cat/I'm in the IB etc etc.) But the real reason is that I found out that actually a lot of the peeps at UNIS read this little online diary of mine and I had a mini-freakout. All good now :) Back to blogging we go.
This post is actually extra-super-duper special, because I am not the only contributor. Mister Nils Steinbuegl (Steinbagel), my friend, is the author of the main part of this post. I actually don't even know why I let him do this...A bet? A copyright violation of pictures which resulted in blackmailing me? Who can remember? BUT when I actually read what he wrote, I loved it and would've put it up anyway, even if my cat's life WASN'T hanging in the balance. (Viv, you don't own a cat, you don't even like them. Yes, I know, Viv, thanks.)
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Nils is the one with hipster glasses on the left. The others are just not important...
Ok-ok, JOKING. From left to right - Nils, Nicky (shadows make it looks like he has razor sharp cheekbones), Alice (with the ever so fetching snapback), Andrei (with THE hair) and Tim (who is blackbutbritish). LOVE YOU GUYS :) Also there is someone who just appeared in the photo we've started calling Red-Lip-Soccer-Mom-Chipmunk-Weirdo. Photographer: Tim Cargan.
Without further adieu, NILS-
Growing Up and Stuff by Nils Steinbuegl
After being tragically informed that I need to keep my writing respectable and accessible to all audiences, my original plans all went out the window. Instead, I thought I'd write a little bit about growing up, meeting new people and how it changes your view of the world and yourself.
On my 17th birthday, I was about as innocent as someone that age can be. I found it both pleasing and concerning. Why was I not going out having fun? In the past, I'd excused myself because I spent a bunch of time studying and working for school, but that certainly wasn't the case anymore. I'd simply put myself into a bad place of nothingness, and needed someone to give me a push.
I'm not sure who ended up giving me that push. I'm certain my college aged Internet friends played some role. But besides that? Was it my classmates? Underclassmen? Maybe even my own parents?
About a year ago I spent a night in the city, and it was a huge deal, leading up to it for weeks. Now, I simply text my mom where I'm staying the night, and everything's taken care of. With that in mind, her support certainly played a role in me being more outgoing.
About a year ago I spent a night in the city, and it was a huge deal, leading up to it for weeks. Now, I simply text my mom where I'm staying the night, and everything's taken care of. With that in mind, her support certainly played a role in me being more outgoing.
The most direct push probably did come from my closest friends who'd been wanting me to be more active for a long time. Hearing all their wild stories I stopped thinking "Cool. I'm never gonna do that." and started thinking "Damn, I should do that too!"
So, without giving too much detail, I'm now going out and doing things, something I hadn't done since 8th grade. As a result, a lot of my world has changed. I started seeing a much happier world, approaching everything with more positivity and far less cynicism. Also for the first time since 8th grade, I've take an interest in and see the upside of relationships. For some reason, people now come to me seeking advice, because apparently I have quite a way with words. I myself don't yet have the confidence to us them, but at least their being put to use somewhere. Heck, the very fact that I'm writing about this is still mind-blowing.
The biggest aspect of my new outlook on the world are no doubt the people I'm meeting. Well, I already knew most of them, but I'm actually socializing with them now. I'm rekindling old connections and building new ones. I don't end up as a leftover in group work, I go out and make my own group. I don't sit silently in class, I get called out for talking (maybe not a good thing). Most importantly, I've started talking to so many wonderful people.
People that show up to school at 2pm that you meet as you're leaving.
People that refuse to smuggle you into a party, but have no problem following you to one.
People that skip a class at the same time every week without the teacher noticing.
People that message you in the middle of the night asking for help with a relationship, and blackmail you if you don't answer. This one's also the one I call my best friend.
People that threaten to beat you up if you don't ask someone out.
People who I need to do every piece of German homework for.
People who randomly slap your backside and refuse to pay back their debts. (Vivian's note - *cough*)
People that refuse to smuggle you into a party, but have no problem following you to one.
People that skip a class at the same time every week without the teacher noticing.
People that message you in the middle of the night asking for help with a relationship, and blackmail you if you don't answer. This one's also the one I call my best friend.
People that threaten to beat you up if you don't ask someone out.
People who I need to do every piece of German homework for.
People who randomly slap your backside and refuse to pay back their debts. (Vivian's note - *cough*)
Clealry, it's wonderful bunch of people who I hang out with. And frankly, I love every single one of them for making my life way better than it would be otherwise.
The past few months have been some of the most turbulent in my life, but I'd be lying if I didn't say they were also some of the best. Going out and doing things is good, even if the world and the people in it seem pretty horrible. I hope you gained something from my story, even if it was just a chuckle.
Love, Nils!
(As for any friends that weren't mentioned, you should take it as a compliment)
