Level 20

Twenty years ago on this day, I was born. Or, to put it in a modern way, I have levelled up to level 20, haha. My teenager years are now over and that means today is kind of the start of a new chapter in my life. (I do not feel like I’m 20 years old, by the way. Hahahahaha, me? 20? lol)

I wish everyone would receive an overview of their life up until that point on their birthday. I would love to see how many books in total I have read, how many words I have written, what my most used words are, and I’d also like to know in how many tourists their pictures I accidentally am. That would be funny, I am sure the numbers would surprise me.

It feels like last year went by pretty fast, like I have been 19 for only a few months, not a whole year. I decided to look back at the past year to find out what I did to level up, haha. I started January 21 2018 with celebrating my birthday. My birthday was kind of a disappointment that year because my friends were either crazy busy with university work or struck with the flu. January always kind of feels like I am stuck in limbo. After all the holidays, nothing really happens, except for my birthday. And that continued for the rest of the first few months. I was studying (and being stressed) for my upcoming exams in May, and all the months leading up to that went by in a blur.

I really studied hard during those months. To be honest, I had problems with every subject I took and I was so afraid of those exams. I got a call after the exams and heard I had to re-sit one of my exams in order to make it. There was only one weekend to study, so I took a training for that exam where I studied about seven hours a day with the help of a tutor. I got the liberating phone call on June 29, so it was all worth it. My grade was much higher the second time and I easily made it. In fact, almost all of my grades were higher than the ones I had ever gotten and that made me extremely proud. I do have to admit I doubt I remember anything, though. On July 5 I officially graduated from high school. I was so relieved to be gone from that school, my final school year was terrible and I honestly dreaded going to school. And I never have to take a math or Latin class ever again, whoohooo!

In August I went to Italy with a friend for two weeks, which was a great vacation, especially after so much stress at the beginning of the year. In Florence I saw David by Michelangelo, a statue I had always wanted to see. It was breathtaking in real life and definitely the highlight of the whole trip. Though cuddling with a giant plush polar bear was a close second.

On August 27 I went to Istanbul for modeling work. It was my first time living on my own and that went pretty well! I learned a lot from staying abroad and being on my own. I did fashion week in Istanbul and some other shows and shoots, which were great experiences. When I got back from Istanbul I threw a “party” that’s one of my favourites up to date. It was so nice seeing my friends again and we ate sushi and made colour changing mocktails.

At the end of August I also started this blog, right before I left for Istanbul to post weekly updates, but also because I missed blogging about books. I am very glad I picked up blogging again, because it is such a fun hobby to have. When I got back, I decided to take blogging even more serious and went self hosted.

The rest of the year didn’t really have any life changing moments, but it was nice nonetheless.

Today I am going to eat cake and springrolls (one of my favourite foods), and I got some books as a present from my mom. Also one of my best friend sent me a video of BTS singing happy birthday, so this is already a great birthday, haha. I am excited to find out what year 20 will bring me!