I recently realized that I've been writing in my journal consistently for over 10 years.

In March 2000, I picked up my journal, which at the time I kept underneath my mattress, and promised to myself that I would start writing again, and actually keep up (at least once a week).

I've written many times about my journals before, (usually each time I finish one), talking about why I write, what they mean to me, how I use them. I just can't believe so much time has passed. 

So much has happened in 10 years. I went from an underclassmen in high school, to a young adult working and worrying about his IRA.
10 years ago, Backstreet Boys and Britney were at their peak. Pokemon had JUST started to get popular. "Friends" was ruling primetime TV, internet was owned by AOL (dialup), and I had just gotten a Playstation.. 1. (I don't care if this dates me. I'm extremely proud of the time period I experienced my adolescence in.)

10 years ago I just started playing around with my family's camcorder. I was still 2 years away from driving, I just started making Asian friends in school, and I had never had a girl friend.

And now, 9 journals and hundreds of pages later, I've filled in 10 years with...life. Nothing is the same, (as it shouldn't be), and what occurred in all the earlier pages feel more and more distant, and more and more like stories of "someone", removed from myself. Though, I know it was me, at some place and time, writing (much neater back then unfortunately) my experiences and emotions down. And all these have formed and shaped who I am at this moment, typing.

What can I say as someone who has carefully documented my last 10 years of emotions and events?

1. Pain gives great potential for you to do amazing things.
2. Friends come and go, but it doesn't make any of them less valuable while they were with you.
3. The same way you embrace joyful and happy moments...embrace the suffering and difficult moments too.
4. Most of the things that we think are a "big deal" in our daily lives, probably are not.
5. Our parents are a LOT smarter than we thought.
6. Everyone should experience heartbreak at some point. I believe it's healthy and part of growing up.
7. Years really do get shorter and shorter, don't waste them.
8. ..and contrary to #7... Take your time to figure out yourself and life. There is pressure, but remember #4.

I look forward to what the next 10 years will teach me.