could someone tell me just what 'space=data', 'align=1' and 'segment my_data' does?
Yes, it's for schoolwork - unfortunately they didn't bother handing us a book nor explaining it; unless you wanna call 30 lines in notepad an explanation. (and yes, I tried Google, oh Lord how did I try )

DEFINE my_data,space=data ,align=1,ORG=data_ram

and segment my_data
<lots of variables come here>