Why are You The Way You Are?

Tom Earp · #1 07-17-2003, 01:09 AM

Who made You Who you are??

Dont Put Mommy and Daddy! Or for that fact, any Relative!

Someone who may have formed your life and/or still forming your life!

Have any GCers helped you ?

erniegurl00 · #2 07-17-2003, 04:36 AM

I think a lot of people have helped make me who I am now. I guess not all of them have been good influences. I'd start off by saying my close group of 3 three friends from middle/high school helped me out a lot. They were a constant support and showed lots of friendship. I'd also say the select few people who made my life hell in middle school made me more sensitive and understanding of people (no matter who they are.) Then I'd list my ex-boyfriend from high school. It was an unhappy relationship (I don't want to get into too many details), but in the end it definitely made me stronger, wiser, and able to stand up for myself. Finally, I'd have to add my wonderful Pi Phi sisters. They've shown me genuine friendship and bonds. I'm an only child so my sorority sisters have kind of shown me what it's like to have siblings. I have to give a shout out to blondambition83. She's my best friend in Pi Phi and a fellow GCer.

MattUMASSD · #3 07-17-2003, 09:08 AM

My 7th and 8th grade english teacher, Mrs Alberta Clement.

PM_Mama00 · #4 07-17-2003, 10:07 AM

Many years of being taunted in school for being overweight?

And people wonder why I'm over-emotional, somewhat schizo, paranoid about what people think of me?

And I'd like to thank all those f*&$ers who think they're so hot shit when making fun of something that people can't help.

justamom · #5 07-17-2003, 10:18 AM

Music-The love of the lyric from the likes of Jackson Browne, Dan Fogelberge, sent me to the dictionary many times.
Music, better stated, musical poetry, helped me identify feeling and thoughts. Singing helped me release emotions, writing music helped me work though problems and as a bonus, I was never bored. I met so many interesting people from all walks of life.

Shakespear-Again the written word and human nature

Sister Augustin-1st grade-Taught me about God's love and how to show kindness.

Mr Stump-7th, taught me to work hard for what I want by denying me something I coveted and deserved.

Mrs. Jordan-8th How it feels to NOT be fair.

Mr.Merr-Junior, The Scarlet Letter, The way reading can expand your mind and free your thinking.

.

MoxieGrrl · #6 07-17-2003, 10:27 AM

I am the way I am because of.....

My so-called jr. high friends for calling me a dyke and a slut when I got my hair cut short.

Angie, my best friend, for cracking jokes whenever things get too strange.

My track coach telling me I had big thighs.

My eating disorder friends who showed me the bottom, which made me appreciate rising to the top.

Everyone who has ever written a book I have read gave me ideas and something to think about.

My feminist political thought prof who told me that I was one of the brightest people he had ever met.

Dionysus · #7 07-17-2003, 10:46 AM

The good:

My mother-for always encouraging me, being understanding, and teaching me empathy (which I didn't have a lot when i was younger)

My 8th grade teacher-first teacher to had that really encouraged me in my acedemics. if i didn't have her or another teacher just like her eventually...i probably would've never made it to college or even past 10th grade.

My ex-sorority sisters-for giving me a different perspective how I viewed myself and others...that I'd rather not get too specific here.

On the flipside...the bad:

All the extreme prejudice I experienced, in my first 9 years of life in particular, I've grown a thicker skin. Also, I learned to accept people's differences, more than the average person would (IMO), because I know what it's like to a victim of it.

Two loser ex-friends of mine-one i had in 8th grade (the one who plotted to drown me) and one i had in freshman year in college. I learned from them that not everyone is out for my best interest and that I can't trust everyone-even those who appear to like me. I'm definately more cautious who I let close to me.

Good topic Tom!!!!

DeltaSigStan · #8 07-17-2003, 10:57 AM

The bad first:

*Going to a non traditional 4-12 school, and not experiencing a "typical" childhood. My school was filled with freaks and geeks of all kinds. It took the most ghetto of people and mixed them in the most rich of people. Cliques were split amongst 3 things: what art you took (music, choir, dance, drama), how rich/poor you were and what nationality. Needless to say, there was much drama over many things.

*Not knowing back in High School what I know now about life and socialization.

*At one point being one of the most popular kids in school, having a GF, friends, lots of stuff going on, and in one summer vacation and one first day of school, it all going away from me.

*My parents being divorced when I was 8, and having to deal with it on my own.

*Going from really fat in 4-7th grade to really skinny 8-10th grade, then back to fat again. Teaches you a lot about the qualities people look for.

The Good:

*Knowing what I know now about life and socialization.

*Realizing I have a second chance at life.

*Having, after about 9 years, BOTH of my parents back in my life

*Being able to still talk to my hs friends.

Eirene_DGP · #9 07-17-2003, 10:58 AM

The Bad:
People I met during the college years made me realize what some jealous and crazed people were really capable of.

The Good:
Fr. Micheal at St. Ann's taught me what true patience and sacrifice was.

AGDPrincess70 · #10 07-17-2003, 01:45 PM

The bad:

My parents' divorce when I was 14. Though I love my dad, I still can't forgive my dad for what he did. My entire view on relationships is skewed because of him.

middle school and high school: the so-called "cool" kids made fun of me constantly because I was in band and theatre and had more personality than I really needed

My ongoing kidney battle last year. Once I finally had it removed last summer, I realized how valuable my health is. Well, I guess it could fall under the good category. But my kidney was a nasty mother f*cker, so that was bad.

Learning the hard way what a true friend really is.

The good:

Being involved in band and theatre. I gained confidence, self-esteem, and wonderful, wonderful friends who I am still close to now, over 6 years later. Now that I am aged out, I have come back in leadership roles to help kids like me have as good of an experience as I did.

Joining AGD. I've learned patience. That's all I'll say

My beloved group of GDI friends. They are probably my favorite group of friends I've ever had. We have brought so much to each other's lives. Also, everyone (girls and guys) is so much alike that it's scary sometimes. I truly can't even imagine my life without them.

My friend Jill: she is the most "together" person I know. She gives me an inferiority complex sometimes

My ex boyfriend Sean: I learned a lot from him, from what I want in a relationship to how to kick ass in Tekken Tag.

My now-boyfriend Brian: I learned how to mellow the f*ck out!!

AOX81 · #11 07-17-2003, 01:51 PM

I HAVE to say my mother! I am exactly like her...and my husband reminds me of it almost every other day, lol. She taught me to never take any crap from anyone, to speak my mind, and to not worry what everyone else thinks or does. I love my mommy.

GMUBunny · #12 07-17-2003, 01:52 PM

The Bad:

My mother and her 'problem' always telling me I was worthless and would never become anything. My self-confidence dropped like a rock and I practically gave up in school.

My sister for always being Miss Perfect and my parents expecting me to be just like her.

The good:

My ex of 3 years because he helped me realize what I really want in life, even with all the crap we went through. If it hadn't been for him, I wouldn't have gone to college.

My grandmother for teaching me that the color of another person's skin does not reflect the quality of what's in their heart.

My 7th grade math teacher for helping me realize that yes, I can do it, but I still hate math.

9th grade history teacher for being the nicest person I've ever known and for making history fun.

12th grade english teacher for being the PITA that she was. She's the only teacher that prepared me for college.

Finally, Mr. Bunny, for helping me realize that I have the potential to be someone and that success isn't defined by a piece of paper hanging on my wall. My notion of success is being everything my mother was not... so far I'm halfway there

FAB*SpiceySpice · #13 07-17-2003, 06:24 PM

Ok I have several so here goes:

*My brother b/c he is my best friend in the world and he is the total opposite of me, he's who made me realize that not everyone has to be JUST LIKE ME to be worthy of being friends with
*My parents for teaching me that maybe people really can change if they really want to and for showing/telling me every day that they love me
*My two babysitters that pretty much raised me, my parents worked full time at the hospital and these two women were there for all my milestones when I was a child. They taught me how to care about other people
*Sister Midge in the 12th grade for teaching me that there were other options in the world other than to just follow the "plan" of everyone else in my graduating class and I could DO anything I wanted to do...I almost became a nun because of her!

*Mrs. Petersen for putting her faith in me and making me the yearbook editor my senior year of HS, I finally proved to myself that I could do something that I really wanted to if I worked for it
*Dennis Miller (a prof. at my school) his class made me want to become a psychology major
*Joining Phi Mu, actually re-colonizing my chapter....this organization has taught me how to deal with so many situations and I have learned to be accepting and patient!!!

Now some bad ones:
*Those girls in middle school who made fun of me all the time and made me cry. Who's laughing now that I', the one in college and yall have dropped out of school and are doing drugs?

*The first weekend I ever spent at a college and ended up in the hospital....I could have died that night and I probably should have, luckily I got a second chance and I've learned how fragile life is and how insanely LUCKY I am to be who I am
*That stupid wrestler from the first week of my freshman year who put something in one of my drinks and in a few of my friends drinks. I definately learned to not be so careless after that. Sheesh.

Ok that is all! Great topic Tom!!!

The_Nash · #14 07-17-2003, 08:08 PM

Bad:
Whoever introduced me to weed
Good:
My friends from my street, we've all grown up together and now that were all away at college, I realize how much we've shaped each other.
My best friend Alex for giving me a different perspective on life
My brother from another mother Kenny
Music

Tom Earp · #15 07-17-2003, 10:09 PM

Early years,:

Ms. Cortwight, 4 grade Teacher! Used to whip my rear, but also told me the dumbest question was the one I did not ask!

Lyda, the girl across the street who talked me into going back to Church, not the one that I quit at age 3.

Coach Les Fields, High School ruff tuff and 4' 9". Still love him, he was the only teacher advited back to our 25 th Reunion.

Dr. Reily My Law Prof. John Houston of Paper Chase of My Day!

The Brothers of My Local who helped to build and grow the group into a member of LXA! Some to this day still!

The people who made fun of my name and werent very nice about it/

The big bad jocks who wanted to pick on smaller guys. Espc. Horse Holland of NW MO St U who shaved half of my head in front of the Admin. Building in front of the total student body! Broke Frosh Hazing with that one!!!!

The Fraternity that I pleaded for booting me out and giving me a chance to start my own!

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Last but no least, the People of GC who have the Heart, The wisdom, The Caring, The Love, and the intelligence to do for others, not only You Brother/Sosters but for ALL!

I have been taught and learned very much from Members of all Greek Orgs!