Heroes

First of, there are tragic heroes like Brutus and Macbeth. Honourable people with only one flaw that cause their downfall.

Then there are other humans we idolise as heroes. I can dwell on this a bit more as I'm currently succumbing to the aftereffects of Dae Jang Geum.

It's been eons since I last idolised someone. Haha. I grew up without having any favourite cartoon character (no heroes). It was only during my turbulent adolescent years when my hormones had a mind of their own that I started having idols/crushes. Naturally, I fell head-over-heels over them. Eventually, I managed to recapture some semblance of sanity and get my wandering heart back. After my last real crush, it seemed to be the end of a crushing phase for me, or so I thought. Nonetheless, my heart still stirred when I watched Lee Young Ae in Dae Jang Geum. Well, it's just a fool's moment of infatuation so I'm not too bothered by it but will be absorbed in it while it lasts. Anyway, I don't think this time, it can be considered a crush/idolising. I notice a shift in my thinking. While in the past I was fascinated by superficial information about my crushes such as their biography-birthday, likes, dislikes, hobbies which practically everyone else knows about, this time I am more curious about Lee Young Ae as an individual such as her thoughts/views on life/issues. I begin to go beyond the good looks and seek out the person within.

There are also real life heroes who sacrifice their lives to save others eg. Mandy's friend's brother, a lifeguard at sea who tried to save a drowning person. Although he managed to do so, he did not have the strength to swim back to shore and was pulled away by the currents.

I've never really had a TRUE hero to look up to, to respect and emulate although I've idolised before and I respect my mentors. But how I feel towards my mentors is different from how I think I should feel if (an unconditional if) and when I have a hero. I think I'm seeking what Elan is seeking: A figure who inspires, whose values you can fall back on when you are at crossroads or roadblocks. A role model.