Spartan Daily - Serving San Jose State University since 1934

Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Opinion

Growing up is like making your own Popsicles at home.

If you have all the basic items needed - water, Kool-Aid mix, a freezer, ice trays, and toothpicks - you're all set for success.

They're pretty easy to make as long as you take the right steps, and you don't take them out too early, because if that happens, it's a disaster.

When I was younger, I wanted to grow up fast.

I wanted boots with heels. I wanted to pluck my eyebrows, and I wanted to wear makeup like the girls on TV.

Little did I know being an adult sucks.

I'm 21 years old, and I feel like I can't act too silly, because it might affect my chances of getting a job.

Every little action may be scrutinized, especially what I choose to post online.

If I put college pictures up, my younger siblings will see how I act and what I do. And if I add my professors as friends on Facebook, they will know how I truly feel about their classes.

Plus, what I choose to upload is a reflection of my maturity and respect for myself.

I don't have inappropriate pictures that would get me in trouble, but if I want a job after I graduate next year I'll probably delete some right now.

Have I become too mature?

Why can't I just stay forever young, just as Sesame Street has for 40 years?

This month marks Sesame Street's 40th anniversary. From the looks of it, it still has the same basic children programs on its show and is stronger than ever.

But on a closer look, viewers can see how much it has adapted to new technology and has added new teaching programs.

So, they stayed the same, but they kept up with the times.

This is a great example of making homemade ice pops.

As a child, you have the basic essentials, but as an adult you're free to drive to Bed Bath & Beyond and buy an ice cream maker.

An upgrade? Yes.

Before I moved out of my safe, parental cocoon, I remembered thinking, "When I move out, I will eat McDonald's fries every single day."

Now that I'm grown and have put on a good amount of weight, that's the last thing on my mind.

In college, I'm assuming we have all gone through the awkward years of adolescence, with pimples galore and sweaty palms - unless you are in your early teens, grossly surpassing my higher education journey.

Sometimes I wish I was still in that era.

I know I can't be the only one who thinks we are growing up too fast.

The confusion and strain in acting your age is everywhere.

Even as recently as Halloween, I saw adults dressed as Teletubbies and others dressed as older adults such as Michael Jackson and a construction worker.

It seems as though I may be going through a pre-mid-life crisis.

There are certainly perks to growing up, such as the "wisdom" older people claim to have, but keeping the originality of yourself is key to being happy with your age.

Getting older means more than just doing the right thing. I think sometimes I forget that acting your age is OK.

People say, "You're only (insert age here) once," and I'm beginning to really take that to heart.

Unlike Elmo and all the furry puppets in Sesame Street, we all have to eventually grow up.

I want to be forever young, but there's nothing wrong with the experience of growing old.

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