> Getting back to the original subject, though, I am curious: Does anyone else here have the regular experience of having their age grossly mistaken? If so, does it bother you, and if so, how do you deal with it?
>

I've always been the same way. Not only did I get tall early on (and stayed that way- I'm 5 ft 9 in bare feet), but I went through puberty young- I was wearing a bra before almost anyone else my age. It doesn't help that I dress a certain way- I don't really dress in ways that most 15 year old girls do. Add to it that I use very little slang in my speech and use propper grammar, and people are bound to get my age wrong. (Hey, it's not my fault I talk the way I do- my father's an English professor!)

I'm taking 2 college classes this semester, and most of my classmates are suprised to learn I'm so young. It almost gets a little embarassing- a few weeks ago, a guy (who was a junior, so was probably about 21 or so) asked me out on a date. I gently informed him that I'm 15. (The look on his face was something I'll never forget.)

I hang around both older and younger people. But I think that has as much to do with my circumstances as with any personality traits on my part. My advice is not to worry about it. Either you'll grow into your circle of friends, or you'll start making younger friends.

Do svidaniya,
Jannette