New year. New milestone.

We’re just weeks into a brand new year and I am so excited! There are always lots of things to look forward to when a new year begins – try new things, make plans to do things better or just the hope for good things come. For me, January is my birthday and this year, it’s a special one! I was ecstatic to be turning 13! True, it’s not as big a of a deal as turning 16 and learning to drive or 18 and getting to vote, but 13 a milestone birthday for sure. Now that I have turned 13, it feels pretty good.

Being 13 means officially becoming a teenager. I’ve been thinking a lot about why this is so important to me and I made a list of reasons why I am excited to finally be a teenager and I want to share them with you!

1. I can OFFICIALLY join Facebook

My parents created a ‘fan’ page for my blog because you need to be 13 to be on Facebook. This is one of the things that I’ve been told that I can do when “you are 13, Hannah.” I’m excited to officially join Facebook and become an administrator on my fan page. Social Media has been a great way to find my community, non-profit groups, informative stories and connecting with people and I’m excited about trying out a new platform.

2. Bystander Revolution Campaigns, here I come!

I have been honored to be a Bystander Revolution Ambassador over the past year. I am proud to represent them and the work that they do to put an end to bullying. As an Ambassador I have given input and feedback on campaigns and collaborate on initiatives that they are running, while amplifing their message through social media and my blog. Here’s the thing though, you need to be 13 to sign up for Bystander Revolution campaigns, and I’m excited to be able to do that. (For those of you under 12, don’t let this stop you from joining them. I didn’t.)

3. I can go to PG-13 movies with my friends

I LOVE going to the movies and now, I’ll be able to go to PG-13 movies with my friends instead of my parents! This is one of those milestones. (Dad, if you’re reading this, please know that I’ll always go to the movies with you. That will never change.)

 

4. For my 13th birthday, my puppy came home!

For as long as I can remember I have wanted a puppy. I have grown up with a dog and I love her so much. You might even say that Indigo and I have grown up together. We just celebrated Indigo’s 17^th birthday! Just before the holidays my parents sat me down in the kitchen to tell me something. They were very serious.
“Hannah,” they said, “do you still want a puppy? Because if you do, we found one.” Of course I said “YES!” and then I cried.

We brought Koda home the day before my birthday and I have had SO much fun with her! We have toys everywhere around the house and she plays with every, single one. I share lots of photos of Koda on social media, so be sure to follow our adventures!

5. Volunteering.

Ever since I started my blog, I have wanted to volunteer. I just wanted to help. The only problem was my age. There were no options for volunteering opportunities for anyone under 13. Now, I am so excited that I will be able to volunteer in my community, such as the YMCA, who has lots of great volunteer opportunities. As a 13 year-old, I can be a School Age Play Partner at the YMCA. I loved the idea of this position because I have a lot of fun working with kids. I was also excited to learn about volunteer opportunities to help elderly residents at Baycrest. There, you can help in many positions such as helping the people there enjoy pottery, knitting and arts and crafts. You can also play games with the people there, have friendly visits with the clients, exercising with them and more. Since my grandparents are retired, they volunteer at Baycrest a few times a week, and I am looking forward to join them.

Everybody has been telling me I’m officially a teenager. I don’t feel any different. I just want to continue to write, learn, connect, grow, take action and make things happen. Being 12 was great, I can’t to see what being 13 will bring!