Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 1: How did you find out about Fruits Basket?

I discovered Fruits Basket at a friend's birthday party. It was at a Borders near the shopping area we walked around, and I couldn't put it down. A few days later, I bought the first book and went from there. It was a series that grew on me as I grew up. Each book I read, I related to in some way. The Sohmas were almost real with all their personalities influenced by their past, and I saw them through Tohru's eyes, and I fell in love with Kyo almost instantly. It wasn't an obsession, beacuse I didn't go overboard. I bought the books, read them, and admired the strength that Tohru had to be the glue that held everyone together. I'll admit that I wanted to be Tohru, more than anything. I wanted to be cheerful, kind, happy and trusting, but as the series went on, I discovered that I was much more like Kyo, in the way he viewed the world and himself. I'm not sure who I'd be if I never discovered Fruits Basket. Reading it helped me discover the truth about myself and others. How the world works and how important your point of view is. The characters each had a specific issue that they worked out, and I could relate to and understand many of them. In a way, Fruits Basket was my best literary friend. It got me through tough times and was almost heaven sent at the time I discovered it. It was the solution I found to viewing life through a different lense. Each chapter I read, I felt wiser and more aware of people, their actions, motivations and their personalities. It answered questions for me that I never had the courage to ask anyone. Most of them had to do wih right or wrong, good or bad and selfish or unselfish. Instead of saying that Fruits Basket saved me, but in a way that might be true, I will say that Fruits Basket helped me learn how to save myself from myself. That's probably why I reread it every year. It is a story etched in my heart, helping me grow and change with a new discovery each read. If I were ever to meet the author, which would be pretty incredible, I would thank her immeadiatelty for creating so many wonderful characters and helping them grow and change into the people they always wanted to be. Everyone has a story that speaks to them, and stays with them through out the years. For me, Fruits Basket is one of those tales that I plan to give to my children one day, and recommend it to their children. Yes, it's a manga, but if this story was in the form of a novel, it would be a revelation of the human condition and the ways of the world. It would be an instant classic that stood the test of time. And I can honestly say that I'm not sure who or where I would be if I had never discovered it when I did. 

Writing Prompt 30: Something comfortable is . . .

(Calming garden at Disney World)

            Something comfortable is nice, but as my character Rose discovers, it's not always possible. One of the ways life tests you is by putting you in an uncomfortable or unstable situation or environment. A crisis at home, school and work can test your character and challenge you to remain as positive and strong as you can regardless of what's happening around you. Comfort can be a break from an unstable environment or difficult situation. It's a nice moment when you feel safe and relaxed with nothing overwhelming looming over you.
             Sometimes you must invent comfort for yourself. You find a sanctuary within a chaotic place or situation with a peaceful state of mind. A specific way of life can be comfortable, and little details throughout the day can bring comfort during a rough time. A tone of voice, a familiar phrase or expression and a familiar place can be comforting. 
             Comfortable places are inviting, inspiring and relaxing. You can relate to a place you feel comfortable in. There's something about it that speaks to you or even represents a part of who you are. It's somewhere you know you belong. A Place that reflects your creativity and allows you to be yourself.

Some of my comforts:

Books

Music

Crafts
Writing
Movies

Korean Drama

TV shows
Water Gardens

Fountains

Butterflies

Flowers

Lullabies
Fairy tales

Art

Blues and Greens
Imagination
Decorating
Singing
Disney
Beauty and the Beast
Warm tea 

Dogs and cats
Fish
Nature
Rain
Family

Friends
Parks

Cooking
Cleaning

Puzzles
Spring

Dreams and Goals

Laughing
Smiling

Good Memories

Walking outdoors

Organizing

Lanterns 

Dressing Up

Teddy Bears

Roses

Watermelon

Chocolate

Strawberries

Happily Ever After by J4nT

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