Board Thread:News and Announcements/@comment-5645428-20170327112102/@comment-17897872-20170412055445

Activity: periodic due to personal issues in real life that I'm attempting to handle.

Contributions: Article tweaking/defending, maintenance, social moderation, chat moderation, social activity organizing, concept introduction

Perceived nature of involvement: Relevant/helpful

Personal feeling of involvement: Satisfying, sometimes occupying

Personal benefits from participating: Each one of the above options, maybe more :P

Expected future commitment: I think around the same as it is now. I am heading on to college next year (#UCLA), so let's see how that goes, but that shouldn't change anything.

Even though I've only been on every once in a while, I've learned to stick up for myself. I've learned to express myself to others. I've learned to respect and love everyone. I've learned to not only take but also to serve. I've learned to be wise. I've learned to work with others. I've learned to be hopeful. I've learned to appreciate. I've learned to discover myself, even when I feel that it's impossible.

That's why I always choke up every time I need to write about my experiences on Wikia. I don't know where to start. It has been a life changer (and not to mention lifesaver) for me. Especially when I joined in the tenth grade, words can't describe how I was feeling back then and the emotional roller coaster that I've gone through now. Yes, I always get the response that I become too sentimental about everything and don't come off as strong as intended, but that's because of the things that I've gone through in school and all the crap that I have to deal with everyday. I understand that my English is limited but it's the only thing I have. I know my weaknesses, but the part I hate is that people occasionally make fun of me for it, and even worse, take advantage. What happens in my school here throughout these last four years have decimated me emotionally, and so I invest a lot of my emotions into this place. Forgive me if I can't take something calmly. In today's world, everything is always messed up. There's war everywhere, and it's something that we just all have to live through.

This place is perhaps the best safe haven I know. Think about it, we're able to become close friends even though we come from all over the world!! Yeah, it's not perfect, but then after all, no place is. That's why I don't think I'll ever "retire" and "disappear." I've been here for only three years, and that's only a start. I always look forward to the miles I have ahead on Wikia, whether it be here, on Discord, or maybe even a different community with familiar faces. I'll continue because of all of you guys. You've helped me so much, and I'm honored to be a part of such a community. Every living day, I'm so thankful for creating an account and making that first edit on Wikia.

Regarding the reasons why I left (people ask me over PM), for that month, I was dealing with a bunch of attitude issues in my orchestra class. Then a family issue occurred on top of that, which really filled this year with tears. It's not something I want to post outright, but I'll share over PM with you if I feel comfortable.

I know it's not the place to put it, and he'll never see it on the GD Wikia of all places, but I'm so thankful to have met Vladimir here at school. He has really helped me up and stuck with me through my highs and lows. We've been through so much together, and I don't know anyone who is as kind, thoughtful as he is. I'm so honored to have known him as a friend. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for him. You probably believe I've gotten over those thoughts in the tenth grade, but those feelings have especially came back strong this semester. Without you, I would have turned myself in to end everything. I wouldn't be breathing right now if you haven't entered my life at the right time.

And I will be devastated yet again when we leave each other on June 9th. The only difference is this time, I'm leaving for college. This friendship will be the one that defines my high school years because you're the reason for my existence today. Any accomplishment I make in my future is indebted to you. Also, every year at graduation, I always give my friends a little present for them, but you, Vlad; I won't be able to do that. After much thought, I actually don't think I'll be able to give you anything - I won't have the heart to. Even though my other friends will be getting some pretty cool stuff, I apologize in advance that I'll be only able to give you a little post-it note with three letters on it: I.O.U. Why? Because I believe whatever I give will never amount to how much you have done for me.

As I say again, "only the true friend comes around to help you up when you are hurting the most. You may not find him right away, but he's there for you." Taking a deep breath, smiling, and reminiscing my four years in high school, I'm SO glad I found him after eighteen years.

-A. V. H.