The things-to-do-before-I'm-20-and-a-grown-up-and-thus-need to-prepare-list.

It was my birthday on Sunday (much cake eating doth occurred, as only expected) and I've reached the grand old age of 19. Before I started to make my pensions plans and funeral arrangements, I spent the early hours of Monday morning making a list of things I wanted to achieve before I'm considered -gulp- a proper grown up (see camomile tea). Some of them are the usual cliched bull, but the majority are the little things in life that make up the bigger picture, and let us know that we've grown up a little bit. I'm also working on the logic that if I spend a year pretending to be a grown up, and can agree that it's completely wrong for me and continue to be the immature prat that I know and love. To remind myself of this, I've made a chart, and every time I do something, I don't simply tick,  I give myself a really shiny gold star.

I've not put them all down on here, for two very simple reasons. I first being that I don't want to bore you to a slow, painful death; and the second being that some of them being revealed would lead me to die a slow, painful, embarrassment induced death.

So here goes. Wish me luck. (Red means it has already been achieved!)

• Move into the apartment (yes, I know I know it's going to happen but it's an easy gold star.)
• Cook (not burn) a real lovely man for someone (preferably of the male variety)
• Lose a dress size.
• Man up and get the tattoo I've designed. (It's only a little thing, but very special.)
• Know vaguely where my life is going.
• Attend a wedding as a grown-up.(And ultimately realise why I'm so not into the whole wedding chabang.)
• Be taken out for dinner and NOT cause embarrasment to self/partner/other diners.
• Do something spontaneous, for no-one but myself.
• Make the kitkat lasange. Be proud of such heavenly being.
• Be brave and enter my poetry in a competition.
• Own a posh lingerie set, like a proper lady. (Note to self: black pants and bra do not count as 'matching')
• Try skateboarding (not exactly grown up, just want to do it before aforementioned pension plans)
• Get a proper haircut.
• Set paper lanterns off again. This time not screaming that we'll burn the villiage down, and causing much distress and alarm.
• Have a BBQ and drinks on the beach.
• Make some more art.
• Understand and appreciate politics, like a grown up, as opposed to moulding my opinions on my peers, parents and the pretty leaflets they send you.
• Understand what the economy is and how to know when it's good or bad.
• Drink wine for pleasure. Maybe not down the whole bottle for pre-drinks Samm, maybe have a glass of wine over sophisticated conversation. (More of an excuse to drink wine, really.)
• Watch Pulp Fiction.
• To how to use the weights at the gym correctly, as opposed to looking at them with real confusion and fear.
• Achieve and perfect the perfect signiture.
• Try camomile tea, and enjoy.
• Vote in an election and know why.
• Buy Chanel No. 5 (because it smells pretty, and I need an excuse to buy expensive perfume.)
• Write out a cheque.
• Make a standing order.
• Pay a ultility bill.
• Achieve some progression with my driving. (I've failed the test 5 times. It's getting ridiculous.)
• Try every flavour of everything in Costa. (Thanks Bank of Ma + Pa for monthly Costa cards!)
• Make a grown-up purchase.
• Start saving for the amazing venture that will be Singapore 2014.
• Use an intelligent/motivational quote in a piece of conversation.
• Have a debate with Steve, and actually understand what he's saying.
• Do something I'm really afraid of. (Being in the same room as a spider for more than 5 minutes does count.)
• Attend a formal event, and wear the approproate attire.
• Go for a 24 hour period without snorting.
• Spontaneous travel.
• Attend a concert for a piece of music I wouldn't usually listen to.
• Have a housewife/lady day (clean, bake, make myself look pretty.)
• Not to be known as the 'Meme girl' around campus (cheers Steve...)
• Play a sport and WIN.
• Out drink Alan. (more excuse for drink.)
• Recieve and send a lovely letter (nice paper et al.)
• Hand in work before deadline day.
• Party until light in Plymouth.
• Have breakfast with someone I've just met. (N.B- 4 :30am chicken burger counts.)
• Own a piece of jewellery that I always keep close.
• Own a piece of clothing from every brand I like.
• Have a grown up interview outfit. (Trouser suit? -gasp-)
• Sell a piece of artwork/ art/ writing that I have created. (anything above 20p counts)
• Improve my smile.
• Improve my laugh. (Dear lord please let this happen. ASAP.)
• Have a cray house party.
• Watch a Disney film without moaning and groaning.
• Spend the whole weekend in PJ's. (I want to be able to have justification for my blatent laziness.)
• Go see a piece of experimental theatre.
• Learn how to make a proper cocktail.
• Go to a restaurant and order something I wouldn't normally. (And promise to not gag and make a fuss if it should be vile.)
• Assemble a piece of furniture.
• Chat up someone in another language. (It doesn't matter if they can't speak it. I'm fluent in Sammish. Never heard of it? Oh.)
• Go to a swing dance class. (Don't ask.)
• Go to bingo. (Don't ask, again.)
• Wear high heels to an event.
• Write something for the university paper.
• Brush and style my hair everyday. (I'm starting tomorrow...)

Why do I feel this will only go tits up?

Samm. xx