Wednesday, October 31, 2012

The Year I Turned 18...


Life was full of 'firsts' in the year I turned 18:

  • I moved away from home for the first time.
  • I got my first real boyfriend (the guy I dated for 5 weeks when I was 15/16 doesn't count).
  • I had my first kiss (see the point above. How did I manage to date someone for 5 weeks and avoid kissing him? That should have been a sign, right? Rachel, you don't even want to kiss this guy, why are you with him?!)
  • I went on a taxi for the first time. (And I'm talking South African taxi here! See the picture below.)
  • I went on a train for the first time (in South Africa).
  • I applied for a job for the first time.
  • I fought with my best friend for the first time.
  • I drove a car for the first time.
  • I realised for the first time that doing badly in a test or exam wasn't that big a deal. Life did not end! (Who knew?!)

Usually more packed than this!

Oh my hat, this was almost 9 years ago. I feel old!!

The quad of Fuller Hall, the res I lived in.

The view from Fuller Hall over the city of Cape Town.


Can you spot me? No? Okay, scroll down ...

My best friend and me. The one I fought with. We're still best friends. And she's a bridesmaid for my wedding :-)

The Year I Turned 18 Blog Fest is in honour of the release of Cally Jackson's The Big Smoke, a new adult novel in which both main characters turn 18 and head off to university where they face new challenges and try to figure out who they are.

Ceara’s desperate for love; Seb’s desperate to get laid. Ceara adores reading novels; Seb hasn’t finished a book in years. Two strangers, both moving from small country towns to Brisbane – the big smoke. As they prepare to attend the same university, their paths seem set to collide, but they keep missing each other. Maybe fate is keeping them apart, or maybe it’s just chance.

When the semester starts, things get complicated. Ceara’s best friend withdraws from her, Seb’s closest mate turns into a sleazebag, and the relentless demands of university make their stress levels soar. Before their first semester is over, both Seb and Ceara will be forced to question who they are and what they want from their lives. Will they have the courage to find the answers, or will they crumble under the pressure? And when they finally meet, will it be love at first sight or a collision of headstrong personalities?

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I see you, all the way on the right, fourth row back.

18, eh? That was an interesting year. Sophomore year in college...that is all I can say because of confidentiality agreements.

Unknown said...

Yes! You spotted me! You get a virtual cupcake :-)
Confidentiality agreements, huh? Sounds epic ;)

Kyra Lennon said...

I am loving all these "18" theme posts! So much changes at that age - and it sounds like it was an exciting year for you with some great firsts!

Johanna Garth said...

Lot of firsts :) I love all the "old" pictures.

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Love your entry Rachel. Yes failing tests don't end the world. Your picks are great and you're far from old.

Is it bad that when I saw the mini bus picture I thought of the song 'Two white girls on a mini bus?'

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Friends fight and friends get over it!
You look just the same.

Golden Eagle said...

Those are a lot of firsts in one year!

Cally Jackson said...

You've hardly changed at all! I know what you mean about having to learn that doing badly on an exam isn't the end of the world. The curse of the perfectionist! Thanks so much for taking part in my blogfest! :-)

Libby said...

Sounds like 18 was a gigantic year for you.

Cherie Reich said...

Aww! It sounds like you got to do a lot of awesome things while you were 18!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

wow, that was a busy year!

Shannon Lawrence said...

Wait, life doesn't end when you fail a test???

Sounds like a wonderful year of firsts! I think my one and only fight with my best friend was the year I turned 17. On Halloween. I remember it vividly.

Shannon at The Warrior Muse

Trisha said...

Only just getting around to reading the other entries. This was a good one! Sounds like you had a great 18th year. :)