Looking back on my life, I can see that there have been three major influences in my life.  The first influence was my father. He was a very strict disciplinarian and he had a lot of rules and expected me to obey his words. Because of this, at the beginning of my senior year of high school, I was very excited at the prospect of leaving home to go away to the university. That excitement quickly vanished and disappointment set in when my father, who was fired from his job, explained to me that he couldn't afford to send me to University. He suggested I enter Junior College, finish a year, and then go into the military and wait for the time he could afford to send me to University. Looking back to that day in 1991, that choice was the wisest my father and I could ever have made.
     This leads me to the second major influence in my life. My first choice for military life had been the Army. Why? I don't recall. When I went to the Army recruiter, I found out that, although I could sign up for delayed entry, I wouldn't be able to leave for boot camp until February 1993, and, to be honest, after21 years of living under " totalitarian" rule by a very strict father, I wanted to leave the day after finishing my first year of Junior College! The Army recruiter said I could leave in February, and that was close enough for me. So at 8:00 pm on February 16, 1993, with bags packed and my father hurrying me, I mustered myself to the Uijongbu 306 Military Entrance Processing Station, ready to begin my new life-experience.
     During the next two years and two months of my life, the Army provided me with shelter, spiritual leadership and a safe haven just as my father had done for the first 21 years of my life. however just as my father had certain rules I had to abide by even though I disagreed with them, the Army also had rules. I knew the rules, and if I failed to comply, I had to deal with the consequences of my actions or the lack of them. Now, looking back, I must be honest and admit that, when I take a hard look at them, the rules were fair and made sense.
     The third influence in my life was my grandmother. When I was very young, it was she who made life seem exciting. She was a wood artist, and whether I was sitting on her workbench, hammering nails into a piece of wood, or painting the outside of my playhouse beside her, I felt safe and secure. she cut my nails, she took my temperature when I was sick, she taught me to print my name, and many other things. Then, in 1994, while serving my military time, this great woman passed away. Her death, to me, was sudden and unexpected. Believe it or not, it took nearly two years in the Army for me to realize that she was not only my grandmother, but also the person I most respected. She had been there when I was experiencing my "growing pains" as a young man. Although I could expect he to say "I told you so," I could also count on her unwavering support emotionally or financially. Though I am far from overcoming my grief at her death, the teachings and principles I gleaned from her have proven to be like a living will in my life.
     Now, at the age of 26, having spent over two years in the Army, and having had a job offer already, the realization that I'll be leaving my family again has finally hit me. I must admit, I entered the Army as a young, naive man with no life-experience. However, during my two years of military life, I served as a foot soldier, then a sergeant, and learned self-control and patience. I am now a senior in the Department of English Language and Literature at Daejin University. As much As I don't like to acknowledge it at this point, the time has come for me to leave home again for a new job. Although I don't want to go, I have to go and begin my new life. The good part about my separating from family is that I feel I am prepared for what lies ahead. Had it not been for the three biggest influences on my life, the prospect of leaving my family would be a frightening experience rather than the exciting challenge I anticipate.