I've had short hair all my life, so not being able to do anything with it does become normal. While you are waiting to grow it out (which is .5" a month), just think of the advantages of a bob.
1. Takes less time to dry/straighten
2. Less shampoo
3. Totally chic
4. Most people don't put effort into styling their long hair anyway
5. Very flattering unless your face is short and wide
6. Looking 20 isn't a bad thing, looking 12 is.
And hair extensions are really bad for your existing hair so I wouldn't recommend them. And what you can do depends on how short it is. But you can let it go wavy, do a half-up half down, get a headband, etc.