Well to get into who Enola is, I guess I’ll just start off with, I don’t know. The truth is, I never niched down because I feel like I’ve always been searching for something final. Something that felt utterly and truly my specialty. It seemed that I was born into this world in pursuit of greatness. Only now, with my diverse arsenal of niche skills, some useful, some not so much, I realize just how well-rounded seemingly useless information can make useful information and vice versa. My knack for collecting knowledge has somehow become my greatest asset in life and I kept trying to “niche down”.
Top ten silliest moments for sure.
A bit of a disclaimer to give some context to the hint of self-deprecation my writing seems to naturally carry. I’m an only child and I was born into an abusive household. If you’re a long-time fan (crazy that I have those now), you’ve probably already heard that sob story, but for those of you who are new, hi. I’ve been gaslit, neglected, and abused since infancy. It’s difficult to truly delve into the aspects of why I am the way I am without coming off as self-pitying because to others, childhood abuse and any form of critique regarding parental figures are typically taboo in most spaces. Though, and try to curb any judgments from forming before you truly envision how this might feel, sharing these details of my life doesn’t feel private to me. I think that being an only child experiencing these situations fundamentally altered my state of processing things. I do feel as though certain things are private, but after years and years of being convinced to stay quiet about the abuse, I truly do not feel as though it is my secret to navigate around anymore.
That being said, I have come across some challenges in my adulthood that have long since rooted themselves in childhood. For instance: chronologically talking about my past. So here’s a bulletproof list for all of us who want to know Enola Exulan, myself included.
- Born in Honolulu, Hawaii to a white father in the military and a Filipino mother who was happy to be unknowingly fetishized.
- Moved around the world. Japan, Australia, Singapore, you name it. Just to end back up in Ohio for second grade. I was a star student. I would skip recess often to continue writing my little stories. My teachers called me the little novelist.
- These are the foggy years. We all know what that means, so I’ll save the pitiful attempt to piece it all together for my therapist.
- Settled in Houston.
- Got a BA in Art. Again, star student. I was lauded by successful artists. So much potential! Alas, no confidence.
- Got a Big Girl Job that was Non-Art Related.
- Moved to Seattle.
- Went NC with both parents.
- Lost childhood dog. RIP Panda.
- Wrote two books. Both still have over a 4.5 star rating today!
- Reacquainting myself with Enola Exulan and her endless potential.
- Wrote a bullet point list.
Professional Hater 