Suddenly it's like we're women and men

Everyone giggled as I braided my friend's hair, we'd all look similar tonight, lots of tiny plats, makeup, lip gloss, red pants, beer in a backpack. The aim for the next four weeks was many late nights, new experiences, aquaintences, use of the condoms in the inner pocket, being loved, good grades, a good party, a worthy celebration of twelve years of school. The first of the "russeknute" we all would try to complete was staying up for 24 hours, and as I crawled back to my friend's place at 8am the next morning I felt successful and happy.

It's six years ago our since the kick off for our "russetid". I was at a birthday party last night and the group of girls there had changed remarkably since 2002. Two were lawyers, two more to finish their last exam in the next month. One civil engineer, one marketing consulant and myself, and the conversations around the table were so grown up. As girls we are destined to bitch a bit about our fellow sisters, and some of my friends' fellow students were described in not all positive terms, often involving silicone implants, orange fake-tan and disastrous dress codes, and this probably haven't changed since high school, but the rest - it was so picture perfect. We were seven girls, ALL with successful boyfriends on the side (I grew up in Singletown, so not used to such a coupled athmosphere), but it was "Ahh, how's Richard going in his job application process?" "Will you buy a place together or prefer living seperately for a while?" "Big wedding are so out, I want a small intimate one, and rather spend the dough on a smashing honeymoon." Our jobs has also progressed and suddenly we are in charge of the nation. "Næringsministeren har ikke peiling på politikk." "University of Bergen handled that scandal so poorly." The change from being just 18, working at a café with, really, no worries in life was remarkable.

The four boys on the tram were loud. You could hear the clinging beer bottles in their plastic bag, and you could see the innocent smiles on their faces. Sure, they were up to wrongdoing, but they didn't know better, hence the innocence. On the last tram home I walked past them, feeling slightly jealous I am no longer 18 and at a party - waiting anxiously for someone to rock up. Feeling jealous I can't handle hangovers as well as I once did, jealous anti-ageing cream has become a part of my vocabulary and not that of their girlfriends. Then I thought about the possibilities we have as young, upcoming, educated, well-travelled, money-earning globetrotters, something they won't be for years. We have the world at our feet and can help ourselves. Our jobs gives us power and possibilities, experiences and relationships, and suddenly I didn't feel so jealous after all. I mean it's not like I'm 30 or anything.

And so we talked all night about the rest of our lives

Where we're gonna be when we turn 25

I keep thinking times will never change

Keep on thinking things will always be the same

But when we leave this year we won't be coming back

No more hanging out cause we're on a different track

And if you got something that you need to say

You better say it right now cause you don't have another day