1 September 1997 - aged 15
"Dear Diary,
So many things have happened between Friday and today. On Sunday the last day of winter, Princess Diana was killed in a car accident with her boyfriend Dodi. I still can't get over it. Apparently she was driving through a tunnel in France and the Paparazzi tried to get photo's of her. Princess Diana was only 36. I've got a matric dance I have to go to, I'm really stressed about what to wear. My life is hectic.
I met this guy Matthew, he's fat but I'm attracted to him. I'm having my birthday party on the 15th of January next year and its going to be a big rave! Today was Ant's birthday, I gave him a Chumbawamba CD, basically I'm exhausted!
I stood on the bee and it was quite painful, I went to youth and I've just been promoted to permanent waitress. I'm so stoked because I got a R12 tip! I got a pet frog today but I haven't figured out a name for him yet.
Anyway beddy byes!
Love Tan"
21 February 2015 - aged 33
"Dear highly exhausted, 15 year old me.
Wow, your'e a drama queen! I'm reading over these diary entries and my girl, you're far too young to be this involved with this many boys, what the heck happened to doing your homework and focusing on school? In your defense (seeing that I was there) I know that life has been a little insane on the family front, but being stressed over what to wear, really?
I'm glad to tell you that in a couple of years from now you'll have far bigger things to worry yourself over, like paying for your R5000 vet bill after almost killing your cat because you washed him in Savlon. Yes dear Tan, life is hectic and I guarantee you'll be exhausted pretty much all of your 20's and into your 30's too - basically, because you don't allow yourself to just be. (Until now that is) Go look up Dolce Far Niente, it's Italian. And although you don't have Google Translate or access to the internet, you'll learn after watching Eat, Pray, Love that doing less actually gives you so much more!
Between the shopping list of boys names in your diary, I'm gobsmacked that you didn't land up the head of a small gang or the topic of many therapy sessions for all these broken hearted boys. I have no idea who half these people are, seriously child, did you NOT have any hobbies?
Anyway I promised myself that I'd be gentle on you. I want you to know that you're loved and supported and although the trauma of Princess Diana's death rocked your world and woke you to the fact that we're all mere mortals, it is but a taste of the loss you will endure in the future. It will hurt, and time will heal, you're a hellova lot stronger than you realise.
In the meantime, I've just flipped to November 1997 and we need to talk! Not every man you meet will be the love of your life, but that too is something we'll get through together. I noticed that you've collected a whole reem of Ster Kinekor ticket stubs for movies like Deep Rising, Richer or Poorer and Titanic. The good news is that we still love popcorn, a lot! Know that it all works out, all of it. Most of what you're afraid of is all in your head and your self defeating beliefs. Just shine and know that many people, including the fat boy you're attracted to, will all want to spend as much time with you as possible - because you're beautiful from the inside out! The fat boy grows up to be skinnier and angry because he was teased at school. It's not your fault though, he's just dealing with some stuff.
PS: Please throw away those silver, satin bell bottom pants you keep borrowing from Michelle. And note that black lipstick isn't flattering either. Keep up those free guitar lessons you're teaching all your friends and just be the goofy kid you are!
Love Tan"
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