I became the way I am because of several factors.
I shouldn't just go into this. I know, I should go on a huge, long paragraph about how I like how I am because I do. I may complain that I'm not pretty enough or my voice sucks or nobody likes me, but the fact is I like most of myself. The parts I don't like I am trying every day to remedy so I am not like that anymore. I'm not trying to be completely perfect, but I am trying to be as close as I can. I'm trying to be as good as I can. But I mostly like who I am.
Now for how I got the way I am. I have to give my siblings credit for my eccentricities. They helped to fuel the fire that is Caralen. First the credit goes to my oldest brother Joshua. He is the biggest eccentric who effected my other older brother Landon. Landon effected Margie and Carra effected me. Joshua and Landon seemed to make it their life goal to turn me into some tough tomboy, sure of herself and unafraid to be different. Well, they succeeded. Even if I hated them at the time for it, I realize that them teasing me about things I liked and things I did and then later telling me it was okay if I liked it that much, but they would still express their opinion made me more sure of myself. I am now unafraid to tell others my opinion of anything thanks to them toughening me up for other's judgement. It was better for them to do it, for I would endure it because they were my siblings. I would never be truly broken apart from them, for they've known me my whole life and will love me no matter what idiotic things I do. It was far better than if I had gotten the judgement of my peers first. Peers are a lot meaner. They aren't part of your family in any way, shape, or form. Since they aren't connected to you legally or by blood, they can choose how they are connected to you. They can be your enemy or your best friend. But if they don't like something you do and you're in the least bit outcasted, you'll get BURNED by them.
Thanks to my neighbor Kerrek, I always had someone with me on my strange and wild adventures I had. His older sister Lanie (who is my age) tagged along a lot and got the girly part of me out of the way before Kerrek got the strange, boyish part of me. It's good to have outlets for both. Lanie, Kerrek and I are still all friends.
Thanks to my parents, I have proper grammar, spelling, manners, and I forgot what I was just about to type. Well, that's what you get for it being 1:46 in the morning. Eh. My typing accuracy sucks ass as well. Fun, fun, fun. Anywhoo, they gave me love and support I needed. Even when I was suicidal. When I was 10. ...Wow, I was dumb. And emo. At least I got the majority of my teen angst out of the way before I was a
teen. During the time I cared what others thought and didn't want to cry and be upset because "crying is weak" and "nobody cares". Now I'm not one of the annoying ones who seem so eager to tell you about their petty, oftentimes fabricated problems. I bitch about it later, away from public, when I'm PMSing and I just happen to be with one of my oldest and closest friends. Or talking to you on the computer. I open up like a can of catfood when I can't actually see you face-to-face or actually know you face-to-face as well. I know in the whole scope of things, nobody really cares and crying over little things is a sign of weakness (ha ha, I just accidentally misspelled "sign" before I fixed it) ((AND I found headphones! I can watch Naruto on the upstairs computer now! Among other things, I plan to become a Narutard over the summer)) however I am okay with those facts and they don't upset me.
Well, to get what the whole point of last paragraph out, if it wasn't for the mean, idiotic kids who bullied me in elementary school, I wouldn't be so strong to be able to handle my difficulties and be able to handle being teased. Some kids, when bullied, crumple and become so scared and timid. Others become bitchy, stubborn, hard people when provoked. Luckily I was the bitchy, stubborn kind when provoked, strong enough to deal with teasings without lashing out too heavily. Because I can deal a HURT on others when I feel like it.
Also, I would like to thank my friends who put up with me for more than a week, who tried to get past that quiet, bookish shell to see the eccentric, affectionate, sometimes annoying, proud girl underneath.
Also, thanks to my family for making me unafraid to admit I'm a part of some organization, for having pride in what I do for fun and extracurricular activities.
Choir helped. It taught me basically, "Shut up and do it. You may make a mistake, you may mess up completely, you may just sound horrible. But you'll be stronger and better for it as well as know a little more about it." It can be for anything from singing to dancing in front of others to moving to a new place for a certain job, even if the risks are huge. Just do it. You'll learn something from it.
...I'm blathering. I could organize things so well without even thinking when I'm awake but right now my mind and body is begging for sleep and I'm not allowing it that sleep. Goodnight.