21 in America

My twenty-first birthday is tomorrow, so I am preparing to go out tonight for my first legal drinks in the U.S. This month I have celebrated one twenty-first birthday party at another, and tonight is finally my night. I am excited but not in the anxious sort of way. To be honest, I am quite nervous about the impact this night will have on my liver.

When I first started to think about my twenty-first birthday, I just figured I would have a some-what calm evening with some close friends. I do not want to have one of those twenty-firsts that one doesn’t remember. As the date drew closer and as I ran into old-friends out and about in Muskegon, the attending list grew. While I am so excited to spend some time with some long-lost friends, I can’t help but to think about how this will make my drink list grow. Although the past few twenty-first parties I have gone to haven’t had any dire outcomes, I can’t help but to be a bit nervous about tonight. My goal is to make sure I eat well today and pace myself tonight when it comes to the drinks. Oh, and I can not forget the water!!

Don’t get me wrong, I am the type of girl who loves to go out. And, after being in Europe for about six months, I can’t say that this will be my first drink or even first legal drink, but it will be my first legal drink in America. The whole time I was in Europe, I was only carded twice, so it does frustrate me a little here that I am not seen as responsible to have a drink.

While I can’t wait to finally have my country completely recognize me as an adult, I don’t think I want my evening to live-up to the American movie standards of what a twenty-first birthday should be. I am just hoping my friends will try to be somewhat nice tonight.

Enjoying some drinks in the streets of Madrid before heading into the club. Don’t worry — I could legally drink there!