On Turning Twenty One

By Emily Wells (Guest Blogger)

So, this is my first ever guest post and I wasn’t really sure what to write about. I was going to write about the book I’m writing, but due to unforeseen circumstances, I’m currently taking a break. So then I decided that since I’m celebrating my 21st birthday on the 30th, that I would talk about that.

I’ve always been a bit of an odd person. Most people assume I’m much older than I actually am because I act more mature than my age. I’ve always been that way. When I turned 18, my fellow students were excited about being able to go clubbing and smoking, two things I have no interest in. I’ve tried to smoke, didn’t like it (and according to my smoker friends, I don’t smoke correctly). I’ve never been clubbing, and don’t have a real desire to do so. I was most excited about being able to finally vote. Yeah, definitely different. And my 21st will be different as well.

One of the things most people have been asking if I’m looking forward to is the drinking. I’ll finally be legal. But I’ve already had alcohol over the years. The mimosas on Christmas Day, sips of different beers over the years, that one night in college...you get the point. This isn’t my first rodeo.

Ironically, my first really big drinking experience has already happened. That milestone occurred when I was 18. I went to Jamaica for Thanksgiving with my family, where the legal drinking age is 18. Since I’ve gone back twice since then, I’ve had some chances to experiment. In fact, I  discovered something I’d kind of noticed over the years; I’m not a huge fan of alcohol. And I discovered something else. I absolutely love margaritas. And salt. While I’ve never gotten drunk, there was the one night (I was 18 at the time) I had dinner with my family and in the course of about 2 hours, managed to down 7 margaritas. As well as take an extra one up to my room.

That was my first experience being tipsy, and I remember my mother and my brother following me up to my room (we were next door to each other) laughing at my antics. Because evidently, I’m a very happy, carefree person when I’m tipsy. All I can remember is laughing, feeling good and having a tad trouble walking straight. And then having the worst stomach ache and headache that night. So, no more downing margaritas for me.

I also remembered trying a scotch because I had just read a book where one of the heroes drank scotch at night and had one of those cool little globe bars, so I wanted to try it. Worst. Idea. Ever. I am definitely not a scotch fan. My family and I ended up passing it around the table, daring others to drink it. Have I mentioned that I really love my family sometimes?

So, I don’t really have any big plans for my 21st. Most of my friends are out of town, or underage, so I’m not planning a party. In fact, on my actual birthday, I have a doctor’s appointment, work, and then a church meeting all night. So no partying for me. But my family and I are going to celebrate together, and my brother’s already hinting that I’m going to be getting an awesome present from him. I’ve also had 30+ authors stop by my blog and help me celebrate all month long, so I’ve already been partying to some degree. Plus, I just got the news that my grandfather is okay and out of the hospital, which to me, is the best birthday present ever.

So all things considered, here’s to my 21st birthday. Here’s to another year of wisdom and life, and while it might not be the typical 21st birthday experience, it’s my 21st, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Thanks for listening to me ramble, and thanks to Lisabet for having me over for my first ever guest post. And from now till May 7, you have the chance to enter my birthday giveaways on my blog, Sharing Links and Wisdom. Come and meet some great authors! Lisabet’s also a guest over on my blog, so stop by!

[PS -Emily's blog is http://sharinglinksandwisdom.blogspot.com - lots of fun! ~ Lisabet]