
Or subtitled:
I could go on for paragraph upon paragraph about how I'm not your average teenager, and I will, because that's the point of this post.
I reside in a small English town, on the outskirts of London, where young and old get along harmoniously and I've recently begun to realise that I like it, Everything is within easy reach, which is good as laziness is a teenagers downfall, or just me, we'll never know, and each night I hear an ice cream van in the surrounding roads, but never yet have I found it's dwelling.
Being a teenager in England requires careful planning, we are each categorized amongst our peers and never yet has the social hierarchy been so important- If you wear a Hoodie and your hood is up on a London road you will more than likely be stopped and searched- The very reason I steer clear of the things, that and my head is too big.
I am not your average teenager because; Each morning I set my alarm for five am, I like to lie awake for the residing two hours and go through everything that is muddling my mind, thus not distracting me during lessons such as French- because we all know that's nap time, how many teenagers D'you know who do that?!
I am not your average teenager because; I hold hands with my Mutti (mother dearest) when we shop.
I am not your average teenager because; I live in England- and unless your a fellow English(wo)man, most of the teenagers you know live in your country, thus making me distinctly un-average.
Why I'm tremendously fantastical?
I don't own a single pair of low slung jeans...come to think of it I actually don't own a single pair of trousers, not a one. My legs don't like them- or they don't like my legs.
I will rationalise everything in my mind for a very long time before making a decision, thus slowing down my day, but meaning I have few regrets.
In Sweet England I crave the literature like a cup does a teabag and I've a whole attic of books, any kind- the longer the better, I can read faster that I can breathe, and crave nothing more than to be a published...something.
We teens over in England have to be careful to stay on the straight and narrow, with the prices of alcohol so low I could Illegally purchase some with my loose change, and tobacco everywhere you look in My sweet England, the frivolity of sitting in a park can soon become a temptation, thus I frequent the shops more often than the sun.
But who's counting, because I bet all of you know a whole load of lovely teenagers, and I don't think there is such a thing as an 'average teenager', because in sweet England we teens are considered to be obnoxious young things- who scare the elderly, such is not the case, I know a bajillion lovely teens, none of whom frequent street corners late at night. Therefore I like to think I'm distinctly un-average, because in sweet England, there is nothing to the phrase 'Average teen' because we are all unequivocally phenomenal, and one day will grow up to be the new...everything's.
Footnote
- How do we feel about Marmite? who joined the love party?
- Purple skittles are the best- have one on me, no take two.
c jane note: to read a touching post Maddy wrote about her sister's recovery from a fatal car crash read here. No, Maddy is not your average teenager in all the world.
c jane news flash:
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Email Jim at dearcjane@gmail.com for rates!
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I am c jane and I wish I could hop across the pond and meet Maddy.
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18 Pieces of Opinion:
Loved your post Maddy! What you said about teenagers in England is so true! (I am a fellow English teenager!)
And I love marmite :) mmm so good. And purple skittles are the best xx
My husband was a teacher in London for a few years, so I have heard all your stereotypes you mentioned about teens in London. It's nice to hear of someone on the straight and p.s. we love marmite in this family!
Woo, Madsta, look who's famous! :)
What a joy to read! I think you've found the new Jane Austin of our time!
I'm off to call my Mutti now...
Good luck at the bloggers conference! Our company is one of the main sponsors...but I didn't get to go, or else I would've hunted you down!! ;0)
Maddy--thanks so much for your post...you sound quite lovely a friend :D
No thank you to Marmite, although my Aussie missionary companion continually tried to convince me it was better than apricot preserves on your toast in the morning.
And if we're taking purple skittles from a Brit, chances are it is blackcurrant, and not an American's beloved grape, so I'll have to pass on that too.
But a clever, kind teenager from sweet England, I'll take any day. I've a bit of a soft spot for those. NIce to meet you Maddy.
thanks SO much, courtney, for introducing us to her. she's a pretty swell chick. :]
This was a sweet post, Maddy! I'm sad to hear about stereotypes of teenagers in the UK! We are considering relocating to Scotland from the US; this is something for me to keep in mind.
I think if we do jump the pond, we will be very bad United Kingdom-ites -- because we hate marmite! But we do love tea, points for that?
Keep writing! I see publication in your future!
Marmite?! I've never heard of it!;(
That is soOOOoO sweet, holding your mutti's hand while shopping!! Write On Maddy!!
Awesome post, Maddy! We are in the dry desert of Arizona and loving it most of the time. What's the phrase, "Bloom where you are planted"? Sounds like you are doing a fantastical job!
Loved this post, Maddy, and actually found myself reading it with an English accent in my mind! Now I want to go to sweet England. Keep writing - you have a gift! Kenora
Oh! How I love sweet England!!!
Oh! How I love sweet England!!!
Ahhhh, but the purple skittles there are black current, are they not? They were when I lived there years ago. Here, in the U.S., they are grape. Even the simple things are different. I loved being a teen in England even though I am American. If I had the chance to live there again, I would take it in a heartbeat!
my husband and i are teaching in London right now (we're Canadian) and it's really sad and shocking to see how horrible a lot of the teens here are. there's a major lack of respect and aspiration amongst the teens in our schools and what's worse is that the adults let the teens get away with it. but it is so so SO good to hear that there are some non-average teenagers in England! thank goodness for kids like you and your friends!
Maddy, I've seen your comments for a long time as 'Madsta' on cjane's blog. I've thought your comments to be funny and smart. I am embarrassed to say it never occurred to me you were a teenager - which is a clear criticism of me. How nice to know more of your story. Jenny Page
Maddy, you have the loveliest smile!
Maddy, if you find yourself visiting Southern California, I'd like to set you up with my (almost) 19 year old son. The girls here are 'quite average'.
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