Chew your ear?

[Jeikobu]

I don't know, I guess I'm just in a slightly bummed mood and I want someone to talk to. I really don't have any friends IRL outside of my family, since I've been homeschooled most of my life. I guess I just want friends that I can share my interests with. In 2002 and 2003 I went to a Christian school but never really fit in. I don't know if it was my shyness or if the guys just didn't care, but I never was really accepted and treated the same as the others. And they didn't seem to share my interests either. My brother, who is 14, is obsessed with super heroes. He bleeds Marvel and DC characters. Anime and such is deep in the background for him. My 13 year old sister tries to express interest in it and some of it I think is genuine, but she doesn't care enough, and doesn't get involved enough in it. My mom wants to get me involved in the youth group at my church, but I don't know how well I'll fit in there, either. I don't know how popular anime and my other interests are in Colorado. Right now I guess I just wish I knew people who I could have fun with and really share my interests with. I'd love to be apart of an anime club or something. I'd love to study Japanese with people my age. I just wish I could meet some true friends out there who I could be myself with and share my interests with. I'm probably in part feeling sorry for myself and I should probably just suck it up. Sorry if this is spam or if this is annoying or boring, I just figured if anyone would listen, it would be the people here.

[Kawaiikneko]

HI! *hugs* Youth Group can be both good and bad... I have a great group of friends at mine, but when we first moved to Columbus it took me a few years to make them. I was pretty miserable for awhile, but it gets better. The main thing is to go up to other people and start conversations (VEERRRYYY hard for me, I'm very shy) but at church most people will be pretty welcoming.

CAA is definately a great place though. We all have similar interests and everyone is so friendly. Have you been around long? ... nope Nov 2004... WELCOME~ *throws confetti*

Edit: oh but you have a bunch of posts... *feels stupid*

[shooraijin]

It's hard to have different interests, and bluntly, this is a different interest. I've fully embraced my heritage as a geek, and I was lucky in that at the Lutheran schools I went to growing up, my best friend was also a Commodore geek, and we hung out pretty much for years afterwards (he lives about 2 hours away and we *still* hang out, almost 20 years later).

I know it's not quite the same having friends on a web forum to talk to, but it's still a reminder you're not alone or that there are people likeminded out there who enjoy hanging out with you, even in purely a virtual sense.

[Kokhiri Sojourn]

Foe me - I love communication on the net and this forum and all the other "means of communication" I have over the computer, but this can never replace for me human interaction in person. You said that you were interested in studying Japanese with people your age - is there a Jr. college that you could take the class at and get to know people through study groups? Or if there was a club... Youth groups can be a wonderful thing also.

Just the best I can say, being a shy guy and a former homeschooler myself, is be willing to talk with people, especially if they talk with you first. I know many times I thought in my own mind that people were talking to me they felt sorry for me, and I didn't want that, so I thought I'd let them off without prolonging their kindness. They, of course, thought I was rude and had no desire to talk with them. I know that you probably aren't like this, and it's just a personal anecdote, but talking with people can help. I always had the easiest time talking with other people who seemed shy like I was. There was at least that connection.

Hanging around here is good as well. There are good people around here. Just some words - don't know if they're any good, but I'll pray that you're able to make some true friends that will last and encourage you in your walk. Best wishes!

[Mr. SmartyPants]

i recommend going to the youth group ^^ there are many differnet kinds of people there, give it a try, you'll never know who you will meet

[Nia-chan]

we pretty much float in the same boat. the youth group is probably a good idea. i'm not involved in my youth group... they're all like one big clique to me... but it might be nice to go anyway, even just for "connections". but i'm probably not one to talk -_- but i support you.

[BigZam]

Well i've been struggling with this too and there's somethin i learned: go to friends, don't expect them to come to you. I know that's hard, but ya gotta be brave. And you should get involved in youth group and you shouldn't hafta worry about fitting in, youth group is a place where you're supposed to be accepted no matter what, a refuge.

[Sharon Rose]

Yes, Youth Group can either good or bad. In my church, for instance, it's bad. Lol. The kids in there aren't there to learn about Christ, they're there to socialize and nothing more. They're all hooligans. Ahem...anyway....you seem a lot like me. I'm quiet and kinda shy, I've always been homeschooled, and it's very hard for me to find other kids my age who enjoy and like the same things I do. Very hard. The only thing different is...I'm not a fan of Anime. Anyway! Dude, we're all here for ya, I can guarantee there someone on here who's destined to be a great friend of yours. We're all a big family here.

p.s. Like I said, the Youth Group at my church ain't so good, however, yours may be different. I would try it out for a while and see how all goes. Maybe it'll turn out to a really good idea after all.

[agasfas]

Well most of my friends I've now are the ones I've known sense middle school. Although they have no interest in anime or anything of the sort, it doesn't take away from the rest of our friendship. I mean, it's odd, from the outside it seems like we have nothing in common, but in reality we do. One of my friends loves to party and is a Music Education major at LSU. Me, I hate parties and wasn't quite found of band. But we can sit down and talk about anything: life, how no one can understand girls, future aspirations and etc. ANime and the fascination with the japanese culture aside, we really have more in common then it seems. It's just what you choose to mainly focus on. The few close friends I have are so diverse it's not funny. It's just finding common ground. Most friends you'll find will not all have every similar interests. THough it would be nice to find one that also loves anime, don't focus entirely on it. No matter how many things you have in common, you will always find something that doesn't relate. That's life. People are unique and are so diverse.

Are you only trying to find friends that have interest in anime? With anime aside, I'm sure there are tons of people who share similar interests. Plus, if you're interested in joining a jr. college club, I'm sure they have one about anime. Most colleges do-- including community colleges. But also don't be afraid to put yourself out there to meet new people. It took me 19 yrs to figure that one out. It's takes time and guts, but we all need to do this eventually. I'm not saying go out and be a partier to become social, but make an effort to put yourself out there to meet new people.

Also, you would be surprised on how many people do have similar interests. I mean, when I went to my first anime convention here in Austin I saw so many different people from different social aspects that liked anime: white, black, hispanic, punkers, rockers, skaters, preps, gothic, country folks, city folks, old and etc. Heck there is even a member here at CAA that is a pastor. I thought I would never see the day.

(by no means am I trying to put people into different social classes, it's just there are more people out there you share a common interest in anime then you may think. It's so diverse)

I mean I didn't think there where more christian anime fans out there until I joined CAA. So don't get discouraged, I know you'll meet other people. Just be willing to put yourself out there. Plus, if you need someone to relate closely too, most people here at CAA have those two things in common: anime and christianity. So remember, you're not alone.

[Jeikobu]

HI! *hugs* Youth Group can be both good and bad... I have a great group of friends at mine, but when we first moved to Columbus it took me a few years to make them. I was pretty miserable for awhile, but it gets better. The main thing is to go up to other people and start conversations (VEERRRYYY hard for me, I'm very shy) but at church most people will be pretty welcoming.

Good to know since I'm also very shy when it comes to making friends. ^^]CAA is definately a great place though. We all have similar interests and everyone is so friendly. Have you been around long? ... nope Nov 2004... WELCOME~ *throws confetti*

Edit: oh but you have a bunch of posts... *feels stupid*[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I just wish I could meet people IRL also.

You said that you were interested in studying Japanese with people your age - is there a Jr. college that you could take the class at and get to know people through study groups? Or if there was a club... Youth groups can be a wonderful thing also.

I really wish I could find an anime club. God willing, but I don't know where to look. >_<
I should be taking Japanese at a community college next fall, so hopefully... ^^]Hanging around here is good as well. There are good people around here. Just some words - don't know if they're any good, but I'll pray that you're able to make some true friends that will last and encourage you in your walk. Best wishes!

[/QUOTE]
Doumo arigatou gozaimasu. ^^

Are you only trying to find friends that have interest in anime? With anime aside, I'm sure there are tons of people who share similar interests. Plus, if you're interested in joining a jr. college club, I'm sure they have one about anime. Most colleges do-- including community colleges.

Well, primarily anime and Japanese culutre itself, yes. I also love hockey, but it's hard to get into with no NHL season.
Well as I said above, I should be taking Japanese at a community college this fall, so if the Lord wills. Thanks for the advice.

Doumo arigatou gozaimashita for your words of comfort minna, it does help. I guess I'll just have to keep it in prayer, and until I meet people IRL at least I know great people here (and even after I meet people). Thank you minna. ^^

[Sesshoumaru]

You were home schooled seriously?? wow never would have guessed.

[Jeikobu]

It's alot easier to be outgoing online.

[shooraijin]

This is true, although I'm happy to note that some of my RL friends started online.

[Mangafanatic]

Hey, being a homeshool-y myself, I can tell you that I "feel your pain" most profoundly. So here's my two yen:

Try to get involved in this youth group your mom is suggesting. If it's a really good group, they should be pulling you in rather than you having to break it. It might not work out that way, but give them a chance to prove what they're worth! You might just find some very good friends.

As far as finding like minded, manga-loving Christian brethren: if I were you, I'd bring something anime/manga related to your youth group (a volume of manga, an anime folder, an anime pen on your backpack, ect). Just be sure its nothing you wouldn't be ashamed for a stranger to associate you with. When you bring it, I'd convertly draw attention to it (You know, drop your backpack and then say at the top of your lungs "Oh no! My ANIME folder has accidentally fallen out of my bag! Oh well, atleast my MANGA's still safe!" J/k). If it's a manga, flip through it a time or two and see if anyone says anything to you about it. I know if I saw a new kid in my youth group rummaging through a volume of Fruits Basket that I'd talk to him/her fast as I possibly could. It might not work-- but then again it might.

Even if you don't find anyone who's interested in manga, non-otaku friendships are just as precious. If you can, get involved with these people. Who knows, you might even turn some of them into otakus!