Exactly 1 year ago today, I created my account here on 3DSPaint.

How I first came across this website is a bit of a long story, but the short version is that I became frustrated with the difficulty I was having doing certain things (such as downloading images) with my 2DS's browser, which prompted me to do a variety of different internet searches, to look for possible ways around these issues.

I was mostly looking for a 2DS compatible Image Board (the closest I ever came to that was that E-shuushuu website), but during one of my searches, I found this GameFAQs page, and it's how I learned about Paint.
(And I thank God that I found that page!)

When I first saw this website, I was amazed, to say the least, not only because I didn't even know that there were websites designed specifically for the 3DS (or DSi), but also by all of the cool things that you could do on this site!

I had tried to set up accounts on different websites before, and there was always something that prevented me from being able to do so.

Oftentimes, it would be because of "Capchas", and such, which just don't work in my 2DS's browser, but even on the sites that didn't use those things (like E-shuushuu), my lack of an E-mail account always made it impossible for me to sign up for them, because they all required E-mail confirmation.
(I've since been able to rectify that problem, though.)

Still, although I had prepared myself for more disappointment, I went ahead and proceeded to try to create an account here, and entered a random E-mail in the E-mail field, hoping that this would be the one site that didn't require confirmation.

I was delighted to learn that it actually worked, and that I had FINALLY found a way to talk to other Human Beings!
(I was VERY lonely and depressed at the time, and joining Paint very well may have saved my life.)

I was happy, but also a bit nervous, too, not only because of how I know my Dad would react if he found out I was on here (which is still a potential issue, unfortunately), but also because I didn't know whether or not my lack of socialization had turned me into some kinda complete weirdo, who wouldn't be able to get along with other people.

Once again, however, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that people (the people here on Paint, at least) are REALLY kind and understanding, and that I had a lot more in common with y'all than I thought I would.
(I even learned there are other people with crazy Parents like my Dad here, too.)

If I remember right, the very first thing I did here was go into the Chatrooms, and I believe that I did sound a bit like an unsocialized weirdo at that point, but the people there at the time didn't make fun of me for it, and were actually quite nice.
(Something that I am VERY grateful for!)

Still, it took me a while before I felt comfortable enough to open up to everyone here, but now, I feel as comfortable talking to my Best Friends here as I do with my own Mother!
(Which is something I never could've imagined, TBH.)

I think the next thing I did was upload a few Images (the one at the top of this Blog being one of the first 3 I uploaded here), but I also decided to submit my very first Poll here that day, and (later on) at one point, I was even submitting 1 Poll each day!
(Something I plan on doing again, some time in the future.)

I later started checking out the Blogs page here, and after seeing how many people here were writing (REALLY good) Poetry, I decided to write my first Poem (which was also something I had never imagined myself doing before I came here), and I was pleasantly surprised (yet again) to learn that I was people here liked it!

I then went on to write other things here, such as my "Japanese Lessons" (which were a total mess at first, lol), my first Short Story (which was also a mess, but was Featured, regardless), and my first Pokémon Blog.
(Which wasn't a total mess, and is probably one of my best Pokémon Blogs here, even now.)

I loved writing, and I had always had an interest in it, but I never really had an opportunity to do so IRL, and so when I found out that I was actually good at it (and also just how fun it was), I was thrilled!

Of course the biggest thing Paint gave me was Friendship.

Over the course of this past year, I've made a TON of Friends here, many of whom I think of as sort of a 2nd Family, without all of the problems that my actual Family has.

I've gotten the chance to Trade and Battle with some of you in Pokémon (something that I'm VERY grateful for), and although I haven't really been able to play anything else with y'all yet, I look forward to doing so in the future.

I've learned a lot of things from all of my Friends here on Paint, about Gaming, Music, Coding, Art, Faith, and many other things, but y'all also gave me hope that I can have a happy life some day, which means even more to me than any of that.

I want to thank all of my Friends here (most of whom are Members of my Group now) for all that they have done for me, and I really wish there was some way that I could repay y'all, for all of the kindness and love that you've shown me here.
(And that y'all continue to show me, every time I log on.)

I guess this drawing of mine will have to do for now, lol!