스윗 16 파티라고 들어보셨나요? 미국에서는 16살이 되면 거대한 파티를 열 때가 종종 있답니다. 미국 소녀들의 로망이라고 할 수도 있죠.
저는 스윗 16에 대해서 알게 된 계기가, 바로 미국 방송 MTV에서 인기가 많은 “My Sweet 16” 이라는 방송을 보고 난 뒤였어요. 그 프로에선 주로 돈이 많은 여자애들이 16살이 되는 해에 자기가 원하는 파티랑 파티의 테마, 드레스, 이벤트 같은걸 준비하는 과정을 보여준답니다.
처음엔 그런 애들이 좀 이해가 안 갔어요. 왜 돈을 몇천만원씩 들여서 파티를 열까? 차라리 그 돈으로 딴거나 하겠다~ 라고 생각했거든요. 하지만 부럽긴 부럽더라고요. 마치 동화속의 한 장면처럼 공주같은 드레스를 입고, 오로지 자기가 주인공이 되는 것이니깐요.
파티에 초대 받은 손님들은 그 주인공을 찬양? 하듯이 정말 이쁘다~ 드레스 너무 잘 어울린다~ 니 파티가 최고야!! 라고 칭찬도 아낌없이 해주거든요 ㅋㅋ.
그런데 제게도! 드디어 스윗 16을 경험 할 수 있는 기회가 왔답니다. 제 친구가 스윗 16을 연다는 거였어요. 항상 티비에서만 보다가, 초대장을 받으니깐 기분이 얼떨떨하고 행복하더라구요.
▲ 초청장을 비행기티켓처럼 만든게 넘 재밌어요? ^^
초대장이 나간뒤로부터, 저와 제 친구들의 대화는 주로 그 파티에 대해서였어요. 다들 가본적이 없어서 스윗 16은 어떻게 다를까 궁금했거든요.
한가지 고민했던 것은, 파티에 어떤 드레스를 입고 가야될까였어요. 우리가 초대 받은 파티의 테마는 “윈터 원더랜드” 였어요. 그래서 저는 하얀 드레스를 골랐죠. 드레스를 입어 보는데 너무 마음이 들뜨더라구요. 제 파티도 아닌데 말이죠 ㅋㅋ.
드디어 파티 당일, 저와 제 친구들은 함께 파티장을 들어갔답닌다. 와~ 생각했던 것보다 더 대단했어요! 여기저기 둥둥 떠다니는 풍선과, 화려한 조명, 그리고 디제이까지! 보자마자 입이 딱 벌어지더군요. 애들이 다 모이고, 생일 파티 주인공이 나왔어요. 모두다 환호했죠.
주인공의 가족 친지 등 어른들도 많았구요. 잠시후에, 우린 모두 다 춤을 추러 나갔어요. 정말 신났어요! 모두들 흥분해서 같이 춤췄어요. 우리는 음악에 따라서 부르고 소리지르며 정말 열정적으로 춤을 췄답니다. 춤을 못추든 말든, 다들 함께 춤추고 뛰고.. 정말 난리 쳤던것 같네요.
티비에서 본것 만큼 화려하지는 않았지만, 모두가 이렇게 즐겁게 어울릴 수 있다는 자체가 행복했어요. 이렇게 춤도 추면서 스트레스도 푸니깐 얼만 기분이 좋았는지 몰라요. 맛있는 음식에 신나는 디제이까지, 정말 최고였답니다.
이렇게 쓰고 있으니깐, 파티에서 즐거웠던 추억들이 또 다시 생각나네요. 꼭 한번 더 가고싶어요! ㅎㅎ
Sweet 16 is the Sweetest Party Ever!
If you lived your high school years here in the U.S., perhaps you’ve heard of sweet 16 parties. I’ve learned of them while watching the MTV hit series, “My Sweet 16”. I was immediately fascinated by the concept.
I thought it was cool how the birthday person is able to choose a specific theme for the party, and hold an enormous party with all of these people, just to celebrate their 16th birthday.
I envied those girls who had all the money to customize their party, and bought dresses making them look like a princess. I couldn’t wait till to actually go to one, and experience what it was like.
Finally, the chance for me to go to one came last December. I was so excited and went shopping for a dress. The birthday girl’s party theme was “winter wonderland”, so I bought a white dress with gold flowers and silver pearls. I loved the dress and could not wait to show all of my friends what I looked like in it.
Everyone was buzzing around about the party. Since the invitation had been sent out, the main topic between my friends and I was the sweet 16 party. Most of us had never been to one before, so we were wondering what the party would be like.
On the day of the party, I remember how I was nervous and excited while entering the party hall. I mean, it wasn’t even my party, so I don’t know why I was so nervous.
When I walked in, I gawked at the big room where the party was taking place. There were balloons everywhere, lights flashing everywhere, and a huge dance floor with a DJ playing loud music. My friends looked at each other, and were just amazed how awesome the party looked.
After the birthday girl’s introduction and her thanks for everyone coming, all of us ran out to the dance floor. We really danced like there was no tomorrow. We were basically screaming out lyrics to the song the DJ was playing, and jumped and danced.
No one cared if they looked goofy dancing. Everyone was just having fun, dancing with each other, and singing along to their favorite songs. I’ve got to say these sweet 16 parties were way more fun than I thought it would be! It didn’t have to be as fancy as those on the MTV shows, but the fact that everyone was dancing and singing was the best thing ever. We would rest for a while, and then go back on the dance floor again.
After all the dancing, the food came out. The food was delicious, and there was also a place where they made you your customized drink. Of course they were all alcohol-free, since we are still teens J.
Anyways, the sweet 16th party was one of the best experiences I’ve had in U.S. I also liked it because you burn a lot of calories from dancing ;). If you have the chance, I really recommend that you experience what a sweet 16 birthday party is like!!
