Born 2 weeks late, on March 27, 1984 in Tacoma, Washington (yes...i know, not in the south...but I got there eventually) I was my parents first child. 2 weeks late should've been a signal to my parents that I would do everything in my OWN timing...but I think, after 26 years, they are beginning to realize this.
Brief life run down:
Elementary school: 2 different schools, 2 different houses. Energetic, musical, kinda wild, rarely focused, and in the gifted program.
Kindergarten- Parents divorce
1st grade- both parents remarry other people.
5th grade- Trip to New Zealand begins my love for cultures, traveling, and experiences.
Middle School – 2 different schools. 2 different cities. Middle school sucks for everyone, right? I was in 3 musicals, fell in love with being onstage and swore my next stop would be Broadway.
High school- 2 different schools, 2 different cities. Freshman year was rough and crazy. Found amazing friends, picked up bad habits, traveled to Europe for a month, and moved to a new town. I went to school to be social, sing, and play sports. I didn't care too much about or for academics...was recruited to be a college Track and Field athlete. gave it up...and have always wondered "what if..."
2002-2003 -AmeriCorps-Pineville, WV. Habitat for Humanity. Changed my life...and I was finally motivated to achieve academically.
2003-2004 - Jersey Girl – Moved to NJ--about 20 min from Manhattan. Tried out for various MTV things, American Idol, and a host of other musical opportunities. Life was interesting. Put myself through my first year of college while working 40+ hours a week...and got my first 4.0 GPA and made dean's list both semesters.
Fall 2004- Transferred to The University of Tennessee – CHANGED LIFE. Arrived, went through rush, joined a sorority, and went crazy. I was the perfect party girl. And felt completely void, empty, hollow, and worthless. Enter JESUS, Christy, Tess, Lauren and Jana. All 4 women helped introduce me to Jesus and were an integral part of developing my faith and relationship with Christ. Became involved with Sevier Heights Baptist Church--found my home church, best friends, roommates, family, and a new life. Choir, The Walk, my first small group, and LEADING small group. CCX crew, changed lives, and growing..A LOT. Earned the nickname "Pearl Girl" at church...every one knew me from singing, but few knew my real name, but I was always wearing my signature pearls :)
Summer 2006- First evangelism mission trip--Iloilo City, Philippines. I joined the trip knowing barely anyone, and returned with new friends, and a new passion for leading worship and sharing my testimony.
2007-Graduation from Tennessee, and start of Graduate school at Baylor University for Student Affairs Administration.
Graduate School-The worst 2 years of my life...but also brought some of my dearest friends.
2007-2008- The Baylor Year. I feel like this year was stolen from me...I wish I'd been healthy enough to realize it then.
Summer 2008--Back to Tennessee...back to the Philippines. 6 weeks notice to go, and ended up sharing the gospel, leading worship, and being one of 4 members traveling from Sevier Heights.
2008-2009- Back on Rocky Top...still sick...still completely miserable...still lying to myself.
Summer 2009--My first big girl job--back to the Lone Star State...HOWDY to Texas A&M University.
Currently I:
work at Texas A&M University, advise some student organizations, run a residence hall of 500 students, supervise an RA staff and Grad Assistant. I have a problem saying no to people and events...I often times take on more than one should...but it is because I want to experience everything! I travel 3 times a year with one student organization, advised a student trip to Mexico, work diligently to build relationships with colleagues across the US, and want to be nothing short of AMAZING.
Things I want to accomplish (short term):
-transition to eating clean and organic
-get certified for Zumba instructing by start of Fall 2010.
-get a team together for the relay race from A&M to Baylor for the A&M/Baylor football game.
I love…
I LOVE my friends, having fun, traveling, and doing cool things. I love winter sports (skiing) and summer sports (volleyball and all lake activities). I can often be found in the kitchen whipping up something delicious for my friends...it's what I'm known for ;) I also adore dancing, and Zumba is my newest obsession...though my job prevents me from going most of the time.
I am slightly obsessed with my friends across the US. Baylor, Tennessee, and Kentucky friends make my life wonderfully complete.
I'm a perfectionist and I'm terrified of failure.
Things I want to do:
-Travel the world
-Obtain a PhD
-Write a children's book
-Raise a family rooted with Christian values
-Live well (and no, I don't mean well-off...I mean live FULLY)
-change the world...even if it is for just one person
-never stop learning...
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