More work?

I was having a conversation with my grandma about my mon not wanting me to go to new York for school. 

She then proceeded to tell me that I was not capable of being independent and on my own. She then told me that I have to do more work than I do now. That what I do now is not enough. 

I'm completely dumbfounded by these two statements. 

First, I know that I am more than capable of leading an independent life, even now at seventeen. I think and act like an adult and I feel like I should be treated like one. I have worked since I was fourteen, as my own boss. Working for clients, doing things on my own terms, making my own money. In my entire high school career, I don't think that I have ever not taken honors and ap courses when offered. I work my ass off to be able to do the things I want to do and live the life I lead.

This summer, I went to new York for an internship. It was the best six weeks of my life, and there I learned that I am capable of being an independent woman. I worked, used my own money, did my own things and lived practically by myself. Although my mother and brother came with me, I only really saw them for dinner. I spent most days by myself, doing my own thing. 

If that isn't proof enough that I can make it out there, then I don't know what is. I know that I am young, and that I don't know everything, but I really make an effort to learn what I can about the world around me. 

Now, this whole idea of more work is jaw dropping. No one really knows how much work I really do, but i swear, there are not enough hours in the day to even begin. On top of my schoolwork (which is a lot) I continue to work for Dtime, I freelance, I run my blogs (which still need more work put into them) and I have many extracurricular responsibilities at school. I am the editor in chief of a brand new publication, I am the business manager and design editor at our yearbook, I am the NHS treasurer and web master, and a member of the journalism honour society. So, where and how am I expected to do more work? In terms of my responsibilities, I have bit off more than I can chew. I accept that I must work and continue to work. I'm happy doing what I do. I'm stretched too thin most of the time, but I don't know why my family doesn't see that. They hassle me constantly and make it sound like I sit on my ass all day. Not true! I don't know what they see, but as long as I know the truth - I'm good. 

Oh and they're trying to say they because I don't clean As much as I should, that I'm obviously not ready for the real world. I'm sorry but that's nonsense. I don't clean because I don't have the time or energy to waste. At some point in the near future when I have my own dorm or apartment, I know that I can keep clean. Why waste my time now?

I have to do all that I do to secure my future. I need to get into a good school and I need to earn scholarships, because I don't know how else I'll pay for school.