Who Am I

 Hi. My name is Nathanael Layn Law. I am 2 people. In the outside world, I am considered a friend who is crazy in love with taking photos. I am the friend known as the crazy one. Probably the one with the most random thought. My friends input a sense of creativity and fun into my life. They expanded my circle of thoughts and feelings. They were an important part to the first attribute of the first person I am. I am considered the rebel in the family. I challenge the perceived conservative notions of my somewhat stereotypical Asian family. They expanded my thoughts and my empathy towards today's issues around the world. They helped me develop a level of EQ and IQ towards the outside world as my 20 year old self starts liberating into it. I became the bridge for my elders to connect with today's millennial problems that some how they were oblivious or ignorant about. Things like suicide, acceptance, bullying or passion not becoming your job. I am also a brother of a child who sees me as a constant academic competitor. A child who is working his way up to the top ranks in class. Very much like the Alex in Modern Family. But he help the idealistic me stay rooted to reality. I am a teen who is obsessive over comedy shows. Modern Family. Friends. Name it. I'll watch it even if it's a K-drama. 

But I unfortunately only show that side of me 2/7 of my life. The remaining 5/7, I become "imprisoned" in my base camp. I am a soldier. I wear a uniform and train to protect my homeland. Very patriotic if you just remove the fact that I am currently going through conscription. But still, very patriotic. I don't sleep in an air conditioned room. I sleep in a bunk shared with 9 other fellow comrades who goes through the fun and shitty times with me. I have experienced treacherous terrains. Horrific weather. My skin has suffered too many infections and diseases after the multiple outfield training that lasts weeks. I grow to become more empathetic and compassionate about people who sign a contract to join the army. I grow to feel angry over petty reports on the internet over soldiers. I grow to envy the respect the west soldiers receive instead of ours. In my country, when you don that uniform, your stakes of getting reported on the internet rises by 50% because gossip is a huge part of my society. I grow to cry over "Soldier coming home" videos. I learn how to push my own limits and strive greater things. I learn more about my style of leadership. I become this extreme learner. One who learns via first hand and hands on experiences. 

And there you go. I wrote this post simply because I realized how much one can stripped off their own identity to try and adapt to the environment they grow up in. But hey, my name is Nathanael Layn Law. I am 2 people. I grew up and was nurtured under 2 highly different environments and I want to know who you are too. Go ahead. Who are you?

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