In which Blog of a Darkmoon Carnie has a birthday

A few days ago was this blog's first birthday!

September 9th, 2012 was the first day that a post was published on here.

Here's a link to it, if you want to read it:

First post!

I didn't realize how much has happened in the past year until today. 

I've learned so much, I've made so many new friends, and gained the friendship of some people I've known for years. I've gone and graduated highschool. I've realized that people aren't always what they seem to be. I've had my heart broken and had to learn to wait on God's timing. 

Even some of the little things that seemed insignificant at the time have made a huge impact on me.

I don't even listen to the same music that I did a year ago.

At this time last year, I was still 16 and was eagerly anticipating my 17th birthday. I planned to have a sleepover with my best friend at the time, and to watch my favorite show: Sherlock.

Now I await my 18th birthday, just as eagerly, but also a little apprehensively. I'm about to leave my childhood behind and become an adult, at least in the eyes of the US government. 

I'll be able to drive without a parent in the car. I'll be able to call those places and order stuff that you have to 18 years or older to call. I'll be able to vote in the next election. I'll be able to join the military.

But you know what? That doesn't mean that I will change who I am.

I'll still be the same old Jasmine, who still loves playing Nancy Drew PC games with her sister, and still climbs trees with her friends, and still watches silly romantic movies just because I love to feel so happy.

Even though circumstances have changed me a little, I'm still the same little girl who prayed for a little sister 16 years ago. 

I'll never get too old for the simple little things that I love.

Here's a list of 10 things that I love still that I loved a year ago:

1. Playing games with my sister. She's probably the best thing that's ever happened to me, and she will always be my closest friend.

2. Running through the woods. I don't care how old I get, the woods will always draw me in.

3. Writing. Whether it's writing a story, a blog post, or report, I've always loved writing.

4. Being with my friends. Even though some of my friends have changed, I will always love being with the ones I'm closest to.

5. Watching romantic movies. I don't care if it's just a television show with a touch of romance in it, I'm going to love it and grin and cry the whole time.

6. Playing my guitar. While I haven't always been able to do this, it's been something I love for the past several years.

7. Reading a good book. There's almost nothing quite as bitter-sweet to me as turning the last page of a good book.

8. Playing in the water. While I'm terrified of deep water, on account of my lack of the ability to swim, knee deep water is still something that I find amazing and wonderful, especially in the middle of a hot summer.

9. Reading the story of Joseph, or Esther, or David. Three of my favorite stories from the Bible were of these three. I don't know why I love them so much, but I do.

10. Watching movies with my family. Anything from Star Trek (which I love) to Labyrinth (which I love) to some random cheesy movie that we know we'll never watch again, I love it when we all can sit down and watch something together, and afterwards be able to quote stuff and understand what each other means.

There are just some things that I think I will love forever. I hope that never changes.

Thank you to all the people who have made an impact on my life in the past year. I have learned so much from all of you. I will never forget the good times that I've had.

Cheers!