This was a fun exercise that we had to do for a student development class I took. It was really insightful to hear from mentors about these types of questions and to consider them myself.
1. Who am I today? What makes/made me the way I am?
(Dad)
- Motivated
- Driven
- Wants to achieve
- Wants to break out of her mold, to some degree
- First child, had lots of adult attention when little. Because of this attention is very verbal at a young age. By age 4, one neighbor claimed she would be a talk-show hostess b/c of vocabulary. Another evidence of adult attention is that she read at an early age and became enthralled with reading. Ability to read and be verbal lent itself to achievement in school.
(Elise)
- Sincere
- Competent
- Problem solver
- Performance—what you can do
- Sensible, quality person, cares what others think, but only to a point.
- Committed and not flighty
- Honest, lots of integrity
- Soft heart and nurturing
- Brave
2. What do you think may have been some of my most defining moments? What did they define?
(Mom)
- Decision to go to BYU—hard to come by—fasting, tears, thought, prayers, testing, applying, deciding—shows that follow spirit, value parents' opinion—try to please others. Chance to talk to Dr. Jellen—emotional answer post facto.
- Moves—three elementary schools. At age 8, made a difference in acceptance by friends—never felt like belonged in the neighborhood. Sought friends elsewhere quickly.
- Violin—gave direction to go in jr. high—goal.
- Singing—different circle of friends in choir—set a goal to make madrigals
- When I came to understand what Greg's bone disorder was—defining moment in decision to study genetics and science fields. b/c of love for him and concern, became old enough, I understood and wished I could understand and do something about it—summer biology
- Change of major—being a TA and teaching college
- Quickwater Ranch—socially and emotionally, EFY
- Friendship with Lindsie—spiritual motivator
- Patriarchal blessing & related factors—faith in process
- I prayed that King Herod would change his mind and be nice when I was young—be kind and help others be kind. I cried when I got too big to sit on Jesus' lap when he came.
- Seminary—Brother Wilde, who encouraged getting patriarchal blessing, Sister Hill, Jeannie Nay, Sister Muhlestein—teaching wise.
- I resented mom because she said I wasn't going to be a prima ballerina and she pulled me out.
- Navi—politics, democrat, involved in issues—politically rebellious
Lindsie—Prayer for Mike, deciding to go to the Y
Elise—Camille Cleverley, meeting the Evangelicals
3. What are five things that identify me or make me unique?
(Dad)
- Although I may have fear, but I don't let it intimidate me (for good or for bad), I have courage about what I want to do. (i.e. race at rodeo, age 4, always tried to do things whether successful or not (color guard, running for office)
- Not afraid to look at different issues that some people would consider important (involvement with Evangelicals)
- Not a shy wallflower—willing to inject into situation (for good or for bad) despite father's counsel to be demure. Don't fear taking on issues and projects—able to overcome
- Curious—always been interested in learning and books
- Not afraid to be involved in male conversations—sports, outdoors issues, fly fishing—willing to watch and be involved in sports—NCAA b-ball and football—interested in things not traditionally feminine.
4. How well do I know myself? Do you think my self-image is accurate?
Elise—Good idea of how others affect you
Kristie--I think you know yourself pretty well. For example, freshman year you would wake up 2 hours before you had to leave for class just so nothing could go wrong and you could get everything done that you needed to w/out stress. You know how impatient you are with boys and that's funny to me. You know your abilities in school and how much you can realistically do. The one thing you are not accurate about is how much you mean to other people. I think everyone struggles with that. You are a fantastic girl, smart, driven, funny, caring, etc.
Lindsie—You know what you want to know, and there are some things you don't want to deal with, so you don't. Some things you'd rather be confused and frustrated about—guys and relationships. Feel like you need a guy, but no one can tell you why—something I haven't settled about myself—better to ignore and deal with confusion and drama rather than settling.
5. Are my life purposes clear? What do you think they are?
Mom--Quite clear—desire to live gospel, live POS, settle down and raise a family, serve the Lord.
Lauren says they are, more so than her. Know what want to do, stick to it, don't regret and bobble back and forth. Know who you are.
6. What do you think are some things I should know about myself?
Jeff Dutson--I think that you are a very outspoken person who is well informed on both sides of an issue, out going and not afraid to try new things
7. Am I an optimist, pessimist or an improver?
Pessimistic, more than optimistic, but able to get in and do something about it. Overall an optimist, sometimes a pessimist (cynical, expect Mormons to be judgmental) improver, but sometimes impatiently.
Elise—Improver
8. What are some changes you think I could make in my life?
(Kristie)
I would say that one thing you could change is to have more fun but you've gotten waaaaaay better about that. You could be less dependent on boys. Boys are gay and you're better than having your heart ripped out
9. What are some of my strengths? Weaknesses?
Mom—Sometimes you can be sharp with others, Impatience
Anson—Strength—gorgeous, weakness—not next to me.
Chantelle—Genuineness and kindness—not having enough confidence in amazingness
Jarrett—Get 'er done, take charge—weakness—focus on one thing and let others slide, headstrong
Kristie—strengths- patience. you put up w/ your dad, you put up w/ me, you put up w/ your roommate until she didn't deserve it. you also are very resourceful w/ problem solving
Kent—Chemistry and outgoing, weaknesses—too studious and…um…chocolate?
Elise—in control of situations—can make things go the way I want, but sometimes they don't and I get frustrated. Willing to discuss anything, good at not being materialistic. Happy, and if moody, will talk about it. Good at reading body language
Ben Buchanan—caring, considerate, and patient; weakness—let things bother me too much, get frustrated about things.
Kamille—open to relationships and love; weakness—too exuberant and can freak boys out.
Bobby Gibson—Faith and Friendship, testimony, help people feel relaxed, safe, and welcome,
Jordan Cox—Compassionate and intelligent
Dave Healey—Integrity and virtue; weaknesses—impatient and stubborn
Cami Williams—interaction b/t strengths and weaknesses—sometimes strengths become weaknesses—sometimes hide behind strengths. Strengths—Independent spirit—don't like to be told to do things—want it to by my choice—put soul and heart into it. Excited to be with family—more than happy to be friends w/Cami—Excited about life, truly, to see the world, learning and growing—maybe holding back b/c of desire to be independent, but afraid inside to break away. Care about people—esp. family, evidenced by my relationship with Jackie.
Bryant—pragmatic and loving; sometimes too trusting.
Anson—smart, dedicated to school, hard-working, perfectionist, impatient—with stupid people, people that don't get it. Don't take things personal when other girls are being retarded.
10. Anything else?
(Dad)
Reading—made a big difference in education, favorite role-play is "smart girl" catch on that I am smart and that I can do things.
(Kristie) well I think a lot of you
you helped me grow up a lot freshman year and still allowed us to have fun
and forgiveness
and spying on people
