I believe in nothing, but the truth in who we are...

When I started this blog yesterday, I had absolutely no idea what to write. How do you put this feeling into words? I don't even think I can, but I will try to do you all justice, because 30 Seconds to Mars and the echelon have changed my life so much.

I never for one second thought I would ever meet people like the echelon. I'm an only child; I didn't grow up having very many playmates, and even in middle school I only had a few people I considered real friends. High school followed a similar pattern, which was that people made fun of me for liking the things I liked, looking the way I looked, acting the way I acted....some people pretty much had a problem with me being myself.

I am not ashamed of who I am. I am not afraid to say that I love something, and if given the chance I would shout it from a rooftop. That's always the kind of person I have been, and I wouldn't change myself for anything in the world.

30 Seconds to Mars is one of the things I love.

I love the music. I love the creativity. I love the fact that Jared, Shannon and Tomo have an amazing bond that shines through in interviews, concerts, and in their music. I could go on for pages and pages about what I love about each and every one of them, because that is just how deeply they have impacted my life. I will list one thing about each though.

I love Jared's work-ethic. I love how hard he works, and yet still has time for all of us. Directing, writing, singing, acting, editing, touring, interviewing...and yet he still has time to talk to us on twitter and post pictures, and tell us to follow our dreams. He is a man of many talents, and if he has taught me anything, it is that you are the one who can make your dreams come true. You are the one who has to make it happen, and you can do it!

Shannon...oh what can I say about Shanimal? There is so much. I can honestly say that I love his spirit. He plays drums with such a passion that I can feel it in every song. Also, in almost every interview I have seen him in, he laughs at least once. It's contagious. And hearing him laugh always puts a smile on my face. It's to the point now where every time I think of Shannon, I am reminded to smile and smile often.

And Tomo...he is just so special. It's so inspiring to know that he was a fan before joining 30 Seconds to Mars. That is something that I honestly didn't think was possible just because all odds seem against. That's life, though, and the most important thing that Tomo has taught me is that odds mean nothing when you have talent and the guts to take chances. (Congrats to Tomo and Vicki on their engagement. Hope you live long happy lives together!)

And the one thing the band has collectively done for me is introduced me to the most amazing family I have ever known: The Echelon

With the echelon, I can be myself. I can be crazy and goofy and loud and playful...and know I won't be judged for it like my friends do. I can love 30 Seconds to Mars as much as I want, because I know I am around people who love them just as much. For the past month, I have been talking to hundreds of echelon around the world. I have been making plans, and being crazy, and being myself with no one telling me how I should be acting. Because of the echelon, I have finally began to enjoy being in my early twenties.

So, to all echelon reading this: Thank you.

Thank you @LilLaurenLeto for our crazy "disfunctional marriage"! Thank you @ZuzannaBucko for being the most amazing little sister in the world! Thank you to @claudiaicara for our talks! Thank you to everyone of the amazing echelon I have had the pleasure of speaking to, and to those I haven't met yet! I wish I could name every single of you, but this would be severely long if I did! This is the best family in the world, because we make each other so strong. Thank you all!

Andrea
Maryland (US)
Twitter: EmeraldMoon21

Talk to me anytime! I love you all!