Last updated: 12-31-2000
There have been so many different things from so many different sources that have influenced me over time, but I decided I'd focus on the few major ones, the ones that have really helped to shape me into who I am now.
I've known my parents longer than I've known anyone else in this world (for reasons that should be obvious), so it's only natural that they've been a huge influence on me.
My mother is a kind-hearted person with a lovely personality who always does her best, who handles well under stress and always speaks her mind. My father is hard-working, friendly, honest, extremely intelligent, and is never afraid or hesitant to act rather than wait.
Over time I believe my parents have spoiled me to a large degree, never demanding from me as much as they probably should, and always striving to make sure I have more chances than they did when they were young. I really am grateful for all of this, although I often have trouble showing it.
I have tried to follow their example, since I know it's a good one, and combine the best of their qualities with my own, but I can't help feeling that I fall short. And I try to take a great deal of their advice, but I can't help but feel I fall short there, too. I know I owe a great debt to my parents -- not just monetary, either -- and I hope and pray that someday I'll be capable of repaying it.
For over thirteen years now, I've had a sister, and over time we've developed a deep relationship that goes past the little arguments we have or the rivalries we share in video games, or even her insistance that "jhg sucks!"
She is incredibly intelligent and mature for her age, and I personally feel that my contact with her has made me into a better person. She's always there to make sure I'm happy, to care about me, to keep me in check or to talk about some aspect of life. When I'm living at home, she's often the first person I see when I wake, and often the last I seriously talk to before I go to sleep. When I'm at school, she'll call me often and think of me regularly, even if it seems to her that she's the last thing on my mind.
She's very creative, full of energy, friendly, generous and seems to have as open a mind as I have. I can't imagine living without her.
Over the four years I spent here, the people I met and events that took place in my life really transformed me from what I believe was a more one-sided, closed-minded person into a more diverse, interesting and open-minded me. In particular, I have to thank the entire staff of teachers, all of which were excellent, and every single person involved with the Mahopac Players a.k.a. the Mahopac Drama Company a.k.a. the Mahopac Skits-O-Frenics during my four years of high school (1993-94 to 1996-97), and possibly even a few people after, when I came back to visit.
The people I met performing and supporting the group were not only bright and (usually) talented but friendly, cheerful and supportive, always behind me and ready for anything. They were all beautiful souls and I miss them dearly, although I do my best to keep in touch with those that affected me the very most. If you remember me from Drama and we've been out of touch, please go ahead, click here and drop me a line!
Don't laugh. This is the truth.
Sailor Moon, first a manga (comic) and then an anime (cartoon, in Japanese style), is a story about a young teenage girl named Usagi (Serena in the US version). In the beginning, she meets a talking cat (which startles her like you wouldn't believe) named Luna, who informs her that she is actually the chosen warrior who will save the Earth. The threat is the Negaforce, an evil, dark force that feeds upon the weak, and the soldiers of the Negaverse, who fight to spread the evil throughout our universe. Usagi, on the other hand, is immature, gets mediocre grades in school, is probably more clumsy than anyone you know, doesn't deal with stress very well... etc.
But what Usagi does have is a good heart, a strong sense of justice, and friends to back her up. And she ultimately prevails in her battles against the Negaforce time after time, regardless of her flaws, because of her positive thinking and her warm heart.
I started watching Sailor Moon during my junior year of high school -- the same year I had the big crush -- and since then, it's always picked me up when I've been down. The show's characters are fleshed out really well over the dozens of episodes, and you can really get to know them. This, and the show's theme of love conquering all, is largely where I got my inspiration to think positively now.
Of all the things that have inspired me, I truly believe these four have made me what I am more than anything else. So now you know who and what to blame, heh heh heh :)