I Don't Want to Be Anything Other Than Me

Karen's Cafe in season 9. It seemed so different from the cafe in season 1 but the atmosphere and feeling is still there.

"Don't say I never gave you anything"

Pilot: The River Court.

Wow. After 9 season, I can't believe it has finally come to an end. I grew up watching this and I still remember the time when one of my friends from middle school handed me the first DVD of the first season and told me to watch it. We were in classes and I shared at the tanish orange disc in doubt. I felt an instant connection and fell in love with the show. It was the first TV show/movie I really even watched. Even since, I followed the show religiously.

You can call it a soap opera but I find it realistic. I actually learned about a great life from this show. What I love about the show, especially the characters, is that it is every relatable.There are ups and downs on the show that could happen in real life. It taught me life lessons and how to deal with the big bad world out there. It is actually quite unbelievable how much I believed in the show and how much I actually got out it. Its seems kind of crazy and far reach, but true. I looked up to Haley and everything that she did.  I feel like I can find meaning in everything on the show...the characters, the writing, the music...everything. It empowered me to live my life (it seems a bit of a stretch but its true). For a large part of my growing up, the show acted as an ally to my life.

If you have known me long enough, you could realize that I collect the quotes and voice overs on this show like its my job.  I love the music that I heard from the shoe. My favorite song of all times is sang by Bethany Joy Lenz (the fabulous actress that plays Haley)-- Halo. And, of course, the song since the beginning by Gavin Degraw--I Don't Want to Be Anything. Kate Voegel, Michelle Branch and Sheryl Crow and so much more.

In the earlier part of the series, I didn't really like Brooke Davis (probably because of her promiscuity) but over time, I have grown to love her. She learned from her mistakes and learned to grown up like every one else. I have learned that anyone can really make a change in their lives and become the person you want to be.

The series finale was bittersweet. It was closure to everything that happened from the beginning. Everyone came back and it is really nice to think back how far every character has come. Even the newer characters like Quinn and Clay came to be a favorite for me and the story created around them is relatable. As much of an ass Chris Keller (Tyler Hilton) was, he certainly made an impact. I love the recreation of the important scenes from the previous seasons with a small twist/change and I love the fact the Julian is making a film as part of the story line to sum it all up. And, Gavin Degraw came back to sing!

Before I end this, I'll leave you with my all time favorite quote from OTH:

“At this moment, there are 6,470,818,671 people in the world. Some are running scared. Some are coming home. Some tell lies to make it through the day. Others are just now facing the truth. Some are evil men, that war with good. And some are good, struggling with evil. 6 billion people in the world. 6 billion souls. And sometimes, all you need is one.”

I'm going to stop before I start bawling.
Its been an awesome show. I'm going to miss you, One Tree Hill.