Definitions differ, for instance, abcd is not a definition for the alphabet but rather it could be said that they are the four starting letters of the alphabet.

In that case, definitions differ in accordance to whom or what they are applied to.

What makes a girl a girl, of course, apart from her physique? Well, for one, you might say the way she behaves. But clearly that is void considering tribes in Africa where girls literally do what boys normally do.

Things like fetching water, taking care of the family, working- all these appear masculine, but with modernity, that line creases also into the feminine side.

For one, I really thought a girl was simply the type of individual who cries a lot, watches make-outs all the time, enjoys everything pink and purple and re-watches Cinderella every Christmas.

Turns out, I was in for a surprise. See, part of me still believes or wants to believe, this stereotype is true, or at least that it is the basic definition of a girl. Yet another part of me, the rational part that is, believes this is all crap.

Liz could be a crying baby but all boys are, or were, at one time in their lives. Men don't cry is really an insult to men generally speaking.

Punch one in the nose and he's a cry-baby. The main point anyway, is that crying and whining slash complaining are seen as hallmarks of weakness. To such aristocrats, crying and display of emotion are weaknesses so detrimental to a man's masculinity that they are cast off as girlish, yet if such were the case, could it be argued that a man shouldn't cry when they have lost their loved one.

No, the aristocrats argue. He should do so, but not excessively. For it would be erroneous for him to act so weak when he should be an example that there's strength in him even when in times of trial.

But when it comes to girls, they argue, this shouldn't be the case. For it is in their nature to be creatures of weakness.

But if asked who decided this, they argue it's nature. And if questioned further if nature really placed any visible laws concerning this, they'd argue these laws are visible in the woman's feeble body, and her softness.

When cases of female soldiers and body building women are pointed out, they argue that such are going against their nature.

So, if they are going against their nature, one might argue, what's the catch?

The aristocrats have no answer to this, instead pointing out that men rule over women and that the feminist cause is a lost one.

Miss Havisham was still explaining this point of view when Liz came running towards us.

It was coming to summer's end, and all we could appreciate was Liz's forth coming tenth birthday.

"I have applied for it." She said, her pony tail matching her enthusiasm.

"For that writing competition?" Miss Havisham said, catching her by surprise.

"Yes."

"Well, have you filled in the form properly?"

"Yes."

"Good girl. Well, I know you'll make it."

"What writing competition?" I asked, confused.

"Oh, Liz, care to explain to big sis?" Miss Havisham said smoothly.

"Yes." Liz smiled, her exuberant manner reminding me of my nine-year old self. "Well, it's going to be about writing a story. The winner gets a trip to New York Museum and some other thing I've forgotten."

"Oh, a signed autograph of one of Dan Brown's novel." Miss Havisham added.

"Yes."

"Oh, and what's the topic about?" I asked.

"It hasn't yet been given to us." Liz said, whispering, "It's a secret!"

It later became apparent Miss Havisham had to train her in some essay and story writing techniques. Too much to take on a nine year old if you ask me.

That however left me alone for some long time. I mulled over the fact that two years ahead of the road, I was going for college. It felt relieving to finally be going to a real place with real people and with the sole purpose of researching my favorite topics.

When I say real, I mean non-virtual, because when one thinks of it, much of my High School was really online.

I joined Gunn High School Online Program ever since I was around twelve. That's been four years since then.

In contrast, all my High School friends are really virtual including hot Josh I can't ever have.

There's Cathy McGuire, and Adney Scotch - my two 'best' friends. Best in quotes because I really doubt I know what it means to really have a friend anyway. I doubt whether it feels like heaven or paradise or whatever it is people refer to when they say friend.

To me, it's Miss Havisham. Someone you can converse with your intimate curiosity and deep questions.

It's not necessarily that simple of course, but it works fine if you're home-schooled like me on a computer.

Now Cathy is really a bright bean and so is Scotch. We usually play online chess against each other. Adney is one International Master if anything, and although her tactical agility is profound, she's no match for Cathy, the chess prodigy amongst us.

It's a pity I haven't met either of them, a point justified by their being so far away.

Cathy is from Ireland, whereas Adney is from German. I've been considering meeting them for a long time but it just stops there.

Adney texted me about coming to America for college. Cathy is all over Ireland, saying she can't think of any better place.

And that leaves me with one choice: applying for college in New York and persuading Adney to join me there.

But that would probably take some training in human psychology and persuasion, because come to think of it, New York is really a multi-cultural haven, which means it could be apparently easy for Adney to get along in NY.

Problem with Adney is she hates the easy stuff. That's why she'll feign over an agonizingly difficult puzzle for hours on end without googling the solution.

That mentality isn't hard to come by in most over-achievers, yours truly inclusive, but it reduces one to an egoistic maniac.

So, my other choice is none too lethal. Applying for college in Ireland and meeting Cathy at last. I discussed the issue with father and he conceded to say it was really my choice.

"What are the pros and cons? If the pros outweigh the cons, there's nothing withholding you." He said.

So I measured the pros first:

A) Getting to meet Cathy.

B) New culture- well not so new because Ireland and America aren't so different culture-wise. It's not like we're comparing Japan and Nigeria here.

C) I'd get to meet new students, new friends. Talk about a new life.

D) I've heard some rumors of Ireland's strong education system, that is in terms of Science. Well, if they are true, I don't want to lag behind in this ever changing world of science.

E) I have a cousin in Ireland. I only saw her once, goes by the name of Ulyses Jenner. Some distant relative so to speak.

Oh, and last pro. Going to Ireland sounded really cool. I'm not such a classy type but it definitely sounds kind of sassy to be born in America, study in America and die in America.

It should be something like: Born in America, studied in Ireland, married in Japan, kissed in Jamaica and died in Israel.

So much for a biography.

The only con was of course being in a new culture. It's not like everything just falls into place once one goes somewhere foreign. Fine, they speak English in Ireland, but there's that element of feeling out of place.

That tiny bit of you that feels so lonely, so left out. Call it homesickness.

I discussed the same issue with Miss Havisham and she seemed perplexed.

"You want to go there, don't you?"

I nodded.

"But again, you don't want to go there, right?"

I nodded, wondering if she wasn't really the shape-shifting alien with telepathic powers.

"Then I think you should leave the issue for some time. Maybe first focus on these remaining two years of High School. Then, afterwards, you will have all the time to think about it."

"Alright, I guess you're right. But I really want to meet one of them."

"Who?"

"Cathy and Adney - my virtual friends. It's been really a long virtual friendship. We've been virtual friends for almost the whole of this online High School experience. It'd really be a waste of effort if they sincerely go to college and die without my ever meeting either of them."

"Now, you're being pessimistic. Come on. You'll meet them sometime. Let's go for a walk." And with that, the topic was scattered into oblivion, never to be spoken of again, at least for some time.