Who You Are Matters

Where you’re from

I am from Mercer Island, Washington, which is about a ten-minute drive from Downtown Seattle. While many islands in the region are only reachable via ferry, Mercer Island is conveniently accessible due to two bridges which carry Interstate 90 through the northern tip of the island. I90 starts in Seattle and continues all the way across the country to Boston, Massachusetts.

Where you’re going/How you’re getting there

Over the past year I have spent time living in three vastly different cities: Seattle, Los Angeles, and Melbourne, Australia. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in each of these locations, but at this point I am deciding between Seattle and San Francisco for post-graduation. As a senior graduating this May, I have been applying to various job openings in both of these locations. Luckily, both cities are abundant with opportunities for young professionals who enjoy everything from exploring nature to frequenting museums to socializing at pub crawls.

How are you LIKE your parents

I would say that I am more similar with my father than my mother. My father and I are both somewhat timid in social interactions, but once comfortable we thrive off of playful repartee or deeply stimulating debate. We also like many of the same things: hiking with our dog, action movies, red wine, and music from the late 60s-early 70s. With my mother, I share great concern for the wellbeing and general happiness of my family members and close friends. My parents raised me to value loyalty, integrity, and fairness above all else.

How are you UNLIKE your parents

Unlike my father and me, my mother is well known for her warm and jovial nature; she is able to instantly connect with anyone she meets without a lick of social anxiety or general self-doubt. My mother prefers to avoid controversial topics and states her disapproval whenever a conversation, song, or movie breaches her comfort level. Growing up, I found this to be aggravating, but as a 21-year-old growing up in the age of technology, I find this level of censorship somewhat nostalgic and comforting.

Have you developed your own expectations for yourself, or if you were honest, would you say you're operating under someone else's expectations?

I would argue that it is rather difficult to operate entirely under one’s own expectations, perhaps now more than ever. Like most people, I definitely aim to live-up-to and exceed the expectations of my own parents. They both came from humble beginnings and were ultimately able to provide for and educate my two brothers and me. Beyond my parents, I try to focus on what I want for myself. This is definitely challenging, as my generation is the first to be entering adulthood since the invention of social media. Social media constantly forces users to gawk at larger-than-life individuals who seemingly have it all. I think it can be very discouraging and unhealthy- I also believe that it can rewire your brain to only feel rewarded upon receipt of recognition from others (e.g. Instagram ‘likes’).

Who serves as a model for you of someone who lives life with great passion and personal responsibility?

I grew up around a lot of wealth and experienced more of the same at USC. However, freshman year I was randomly paired with a roommate who came from a complicated home life which left her to pay for USC on her own. She worked two jobs, got straight As, and even picked up a second major- Neuroscience. She never complained a day in her life and never took a handout.

Connecting with the ANIMAL WORLD: What wild animal do you feel a special connection with, and why?

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest I gained an appreciation for bald eagles. They have a certain spirituality about them- whenever I see one I am reminded of home.

Describe a significant childhood encounter with a tree or plant.

My home on Mercer Island has a big back yard with an apple orchard. As a kid, whenever I was upset or needed to be alone, I would run into the backyard and climb into the apple trees and pretend none of my problems existed. This worked pretty well, until our neighbors started beekeeping and my problems became slightly more complex than a petty fight with mother.

Sun: Cancer; Moon: Gemini, Rising: Sagittarius