In regards to the oldskool.

After reading Lam's quarter-life crisis post, i am stuck trying to remember the person i wanted to be when i "grew up". How and when the hell do i get there??
While our parallels are getting married, having children and acting like proper adults; at what point do we consider ourselves "grown up"?

If i were talking to a 16 year old nicholas lee, the conversation would (hypothetically) be like:

Me (24): So, what do you want to be when you grow up?
Me (16): I wanna be rich, famous and have all the fine honeys.
Me (24): Nope. Fucked up on all 3. Sorry.
Me (16): Why? You suck!
Me (24): By your standards, it sorta sucks to be you in 8 years. So stop being an arrogant dick.
Me (16): What the hell did you do to me?
Me (24): Mostly - In college I got drunk a lot on weekends, smoked some pot, had questionable hookups, became poor for a bit, and acted like a total nerdosaur when sober. Then i got a job, but more of the same (somewhat)
Me (16): That sucks! I hate you! When will you grow the hell up and start acting your age?
Me (24): I dunno. But shut up, sit down, and listen to me. You'll shoot for the stars, and reach the moon. As it turns out, the moon is pretty damn awesome. And the ride so far is amazing. So relax, chill out, and enjoy it while it happens. If at all possible, take as many friends or hostages with you.
Me (16): Thats what i'll be when i grow up!? But, but....
Me (24): Stop being a pussy. It'll be fine, life gets good. You get paid, your girlfriend is hot, you're still friends with the kids you grew up with, but your dog dies.
Shit happens. Deal.
Me (16): you're a fucker, you know that?
Me (24): takes one to know one. I'll talk to you in 8 years from now and we'll see how it goes.

*Then I smack his head for being such a smart-ass, and kick his ass back to the past*

I realize we (myself mostly) seem to be very nostalgic about the oldskool and days of yonder.
Shopping cart racing on the roof of 1U, Rajen's ops "kutip CD", mysteriously finding "error receipts" as a Jaya Jusco cashier, going to tuition early to hopefully see a chicks tramp-stamp, even pointing fingers at hamster murderers.
Let's just say i'm happy with my childhood. And for the most part, i'm not done with it. (toys R Us jingle in the background?)
Maturity is over-rated. Be happy with who you are and where you're going. Growing up doesn't necessarily involve acting like an old useless prick. Do what it takes to get by and whining only pisses people off. In other words: stop being a pussy. It'll be fine. Life gets good.