The Masochist's Institute of Technologyanecdotes of an ambitious MIT student

Earlier today – after coming back from Charm School (I taught a class on social networking parties, which I will transcribe and post on this blog later) and running errands – I rewatched some snippets from one of my favourite movies of all time - The Other Boleyn Girl. Anne Boleyn is one of the many historical figures to whom I greatly look up; her stunning ambition, fashionable dress and speech, and irresistible charm are all aspects that I find particularly admirable. This got me thinking about my list of top 10 admired individuals (of noteworthy fame, that is), and I decided to share with you all.

#10: Kevin Mitnick

Super-persuasive computer hacker who used the skills of social engineering to help him extract private information from people. He has since reformed and gives lectures on the exploitability of our everyday lives, but in my mind he’s still one of the the most cunning people ever.

#09: Catherine the Great

Catherine II of Russia had an agenda more packed than mine, but she still managed to bring Russia out of the ashes and into a position as a superpower of West Europe. She struck down rebellion when it started, was amazing at foreign policy, and rearranged her country into something that was manageable and organized (instigating splitting of districts, etc.)

#08: Jeanne d’Arc

Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc) was one badass warrior, and one of my daily inspirations to prove that women are as every bit as good as men (and sometimes better!) Her faith and her courage until the very last moment are truly something to admire.

#07: Ludwig van Beethoven

Just take a listen at any of his famous pieces (might I recommend his Mass in C Major?) and there is no doubting it. He composed all of these amazing works… and was deaf for many of them! If that’s not amazing, I don’t know what is. He’s my favourite composer of all time =)

#06: Empress Cixi

Cixi started out as a lowly concubine, “selected” off the streets. The emperor barely even saw her, but of course, just like the cunning Anne Boleyn, she managed to find a way to win his favour and become a high-ranking consort in his eyes. When he died and left a son too young to rule, Cixi took over. Although there are many things she did that I don’t agree with (lavish spending a la Marie Antoinette), her power, resourcefulness, assertiveness, and pride are all items I hope to obtain.

#05: Albert Einstein

How could anyone not admire Albert Einstein? The guy was a genius! Although there are admittedly flaws in his work, he also had many ideas that revolutionary and completely changed the way we look at physics. He was quirky yet brilliant, and his drive and ambition are amazing. Oh, and he dropped out of electrical engineering to pursue his dream studies ;)

#04: Kusumi Koharu

Kusumi Koharu is a Japanese idol (singer/dancer/performer/talent) who joined the well-known girl group Morning Musume as the 7th Generation member at the age of 13. When she first joined, she was a horrible singer – strained notes, off-key and flat tones, a feebly nervous expression (just watch the music video for Iroppoi Jirettai). But over the years, she has grown up and blossomed into an amazing soloist and singer. Her charisma on stage is amazing (outshining most of the other girls in the group by far, save for Takahashi Ai), and her energy is boundless. No, really; I saw her live at AnimeExpo 2009, and damn. After an hour of straight singing, while the other girls were losing the electric energy they possessed at the start, Koharu is still jumping up and down, pumping her fists into the air and grinning at the audience. Talk about someone with a big heart and a glowing smile =)

#03: Teresa Teng

Teresa Teng is the Queen of Chinese ballads. She sang a lot of enka as well, along with the Chinese equivalent. She started singing in nightclubs at a young age to make money, and later became one of the best-loved female singers in China and beyond. She performed regularly in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and elsewhere. Everyone in East Asia loved her. Not to mention she could speak English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Taiwanese, and Japanese. Her songs are some of the most well-known and characteristic of the 70′s, and her legacy continues even today, after her death. I have not yet met a Chinese person who cannot sing 月亮代表我的心.

#02: Anne Boleyn

As stated above, Anne Boleyn is awesome. Not only was she one of the leading ladies in fashion at the Tudor court, she basically stepped in and  - with manipulative glances and some nicely-worded praises – singlehandedly convinced a king to divorce his longtime wife and break off from the Catholic church. In such a time when the Catholic faith was strong, this was by no means a small feat. I’m sure Anne Boleyn was like the shining star of the court – everyone flocked around her and nearly worshipped her beauty and cunning. She wore a gold B on her throat to proclaim to the world that she was a Boleyn, and the Boleyns would not be rivaled. I also particularly admire her ability to take any situation and turn it around to her advantage.

#01: Katherine of Aragon

As awesome as Anne Boleyn is, though, I must say that I give greater props to the queen that she dethroned and replaced, the Spanish princess Catalina, later Katherine of Aragon. She was first married to Prince Arthur, Henry VIII’s older brother, but when he died, she married Henry and helped him rule for many years. Unlike the flighty Anne Boleyn, Katherine was steadfast and calm. She was politically savvy, and most of England loved her as the Queen. Anne eventually broke down and panicked when she realized things weren’t working out the way she wanted, but Katherine of Aragon? Nope. She stood tall and proud until the very end, even when Henry and the other officials pronounced their marriage annulled. And even after that, she was banished from court, she lived each day as if she were still the Queen, head up and always proud, never mentally giving in to the world that was shattering around her.