What happened to being 16 and sweet?

I turn 17 tomorrow!
First off, I want to keep this post short, but we'll see about that.
I really don't feel like I did anything good being 16. Actually, pretty much anything I did was bad.
I did not create awesome friendships, but I guess I did develop some deeper relationships. However, I also dug some shallow ones that will probably stay that way until I forget they exist.
I realized, I can care, I can share, and dammit, I can break.


(I'll just say, I was having a lot of fun with Photobooth on my friends Mac yesterday.) <3

I will put myself first before you. You will have to accept that.
I am still learning.
I am still trying to understand.
I am willing to ask questions.
I am (mostly) willing to listen.

but, I get caught up in the moment.
and my judgment is sometimes off because of it.
There's a difference between what I want, what I should want, what I can get, and what I need.
I may sound a bit cynical, but all I need is myself. (that's the one word answer, I swear I can get deeper into that.)

I care, and they care.
I like having a pleasant reminder that I matter. A simple, "Iris, thanks for sticking around and being there for me" or "thanks for making me smile" really makes a difference in my day. I love knowing that I make a difference and I love helping other people
I need to remember that I can make a choice, I can make a difference, and I have the power of one. (don't we all :)

So, right, I said I was going to try and keep this short. I'll (attempt to) end with goals.
I'd like to make someone happy every day. Simply, put a smile on their face.
I'd like to stop lying to myself and people around me. I need to face the cruel facts.
I need to find a way to find myself and to be optimistic.
I would like to keep those people I care about around, and not push them away.
I want to work on self-improvement.
I want to give back to everything, be more selfless, more humble.

mainly, I want to find happiness. :)

Goodnight everybody!
I hope you have some sunshine in your day tomorrow
love,
Iris <3