After reading Simon's post about such a personal issue, I decided to be a bit more sensitive in this post. I took a trip down memory lane and I was thinking about how much I have changed in the past seven years and I thought I would share with you some things that you may not know about me and how you have all helped me in becoming a stronger person.
When I first started Secondary School (or High School) I was extremely geeky and quite awkward. I was so self-conscious as to what my teachers thought of me that I was terrified to receive low grades and so scared to relax and have fun at school. I also wasn't your typical girly girl - which may have been why I found it so difficult to fit into an all girls school. Anyway, unfortunately during the first 2 years of secondary school I was cyber bullied for being different - hate websites were made about me, where people could come and make fun of me. Anyway, the bullying got so bad that at one point my mum was actually going to pull me out of the school and we were going to move to Australia. But, I had worked so hard to get into the school (we have to take exams) and I didn't want to be pushed out of the school. So I decided to pull myself together and I admit I conformed to try and fit in more, I made new friends and I began to relax a little bit.
Nevertheless, those girls who had bullied me never forget who the old Leah was and I was stuck with the label of Leah the "good girl" or the "sensible boring one". However, when I got chosen for World School, I had never been so excited for something and I thank God that I hadn't moved school, as I wouldn't have met all of you. Being at World School was like a breath of fresh air for me, before, I felt that when I was with my friends I was being myself. However, I soon realised that I had still conformed to what many people expected of me. But being around everyone at World School, no one judging you and everyone accepting you, I realised that I had still been holding back from my friends back home. However, you guys helped me realise that I can be the geeky girl, but I can also take risks, let me hair down and have fun.
So what I am trying to say is thank you, to all of you. For making me feel so strong about myself, (sorry if this is a little bit cheesy!) I may joke that some of you have corrupted me (not mentioning names) but the truth is, you brought out a more relaxed and easy-going Leah and for that I am forever grateful. Many people have asked me why World School is still such a big part of my life, even when it has been 8 months since Korea, and I usually respond with the same answer about how amazing the people were. At least now you guys have a better understanding as to why you are all so amazing!
I love and miss you all :)
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