Perspectives: Week 5: Getting to Know You

1) What is most memorable about your high school years?

I loved high school. I really felt on top of the world then, although I'm not sure I realized it at the time. My life consisted of a lot of athletics: horse back riding, volleyball, field hockey, tennis, swimming, biking, running, marathons and triathlons, weight lifting, and of course soccer. Eventually all the all other sports were put off so that my soccer could become my main focus. I was still in the weight room a lot and so I have a lot of memories there. I was one of the guys; maybe it came with the territory. So I have really fond memories of weight training with Chris, Brandon, AJ and the football team. The football coach would kick out the girls from the weight room (mostly all the cheerleaders) but he would let me stay... mostly because I put his boys to shame and then they would work harder to prove themselves. I really miss being active. I miss being competitive. I miss having a great group of guys to hang out with.

However, I am still friends with the amazing girls that I hung out with to balance all that guy time. Kate, Kat, Emily, Laurie, Beth, and Ingrid. And when we got together, it was girly to the extreme. Makeovers, dance parties, slumber parties, nail painting, truth or dare, and a lot of sillyness. I can't wait to see Kate on my trip home this week and catch up with Kat about her recent engagement and check out Beth's pictures of her baby girl.

2) If you have a tattoo(s) describe their meaning.

I got my first tattoo after a break up from a too-long relationship. The relationship had taken its turn for the worst (and to be fair it was both of our faults) but it got to a borderline abusive grey area. Having had an abusive step-father, I promised myself to never allow myself to be in that situation again. So as I ended the relationship with my 5 year boyfriend, I got a phoenix peacock tattoo on my shoulder. See my blog description about how the two birds symbolize a resurrecting and neutralizing power.

(the photo is on it's side, so the tail is the top)

Then my larger tattoo is a memorial to my dad and cousin. Their deaths both greatly affected the rest of my life. My dad died when I was so young, and my cousin's suicide was a life-changing event for me. The owl symbolizes wisdom I gleaned from living through these painful events and recognizing both the positives and negatives that followed as a direct result from their deaths. The owl isn't done yet. This is the first four hours of the tattoo. I have another two to go or so. Then above it, I will have the Stealth for Daddy. And a quote from a song for my cousin. I worked on the design for the tattoo for several years adding and taking away elements until it seemed right. The memorial was wanted because I needed to let go of a lot of the pain around their deaths without feeling like I was letting go of the memories. A tattoo was a good transitional object for me. And I love it!

3) What is one of the most daring acts you've done?

I enjoy a good adrenaline rush. I think the most intense feeling was when I did an Australian repel down the front of a mountain. I tried to find a good video of it, but couldn't. It is hard to explain if you aren't a climber. But basically rather than repel down the mountain regularly, once you reach the top, you turn around and run down, but your feet have to be above your head, otherwise you'll slam your back into the wall. I got to do this a handful of times when I went on a two week climbing and spelunking trip in high school.

4) Where have you lived in the past?

Germany. Las Vegas, Nevada. Virginia. Colorado.

5) What were you like when you were a kid?

I was a funny kid. I loved to sing and was always humming something or the other. I really wanted to be like my older (I call them "big") siblings and so I was planning college in first grade. I had a great imagination and was pretty good at entertaining myself and others. Some favorites included imaginary lives where I was a Native American, playing with Samantha my American Girl doll, light bright, dress up, color books, and roller skates. I was also always climbing trees and watching birds. If there was an animal - I was holding it, didn't matter what kind. I loved to garden with my mom and would read books to the plants (my mom said it would help them grow).

(I'm the little one. With one of my big sisters)

6) What did you want to be when you were a kid?

I wanted to be a naturalist and travel the world collecting plant and animal species that were undiscovered. Or something else biology related. In 3rd grade I picked up one of my big sister's college biology books and read through it. I began to devour science from then on. I loved my microscope and studying life. Or I was going to be an artist who traveled the world painting and very inspired by SARK. or I was going to be a fashion designer who made really big name of herself and all the celebrities wore the line and then make affordable clothes because everyone should have something to feel fabulous in. Eventually I got into anatomy and physiology and decided I really wanted to be a neurosurgeon. I even entered college as biology and pre-med before I realized how sick I was and how that might affect my career.

7) Why did you choose art therapy as your profession?

Even when I was a bio/pre-med student I was majoring in art classes just so that I could get into them (my school didn't have room for non majors to take art classes past the introductory level). When I switched from biology to psychology I found art therapy. It was the perfect blend between my love of art and my love of science. And so I doubled in psychology and studio art. It just made sense for me. I'm not sure I can really explain it, other than going "YES! this is exactly what I want to do" once I found out about what art therapy was.

8) If you could live in any time period (other than the present), when would it be and why?

While there were some really miserable parts of this time period also, I would like to live in the romanticised movie-like part of the roaring 1920s. Oh and I would have to be rich. Because all I want to do is dress up and go to parties and design gowns. Very much like the BBC series I watched as a kid, the House of Elliot. hmmm... I think that will go on my netflix so I can rewatch it! Plus, even though the women's movement didn't come until later, this was the start of it. and art and museums were becoming really big things and the theater was still very popular. There are a lot of reasons this era was so romanticised and a lot of reasons I'd love to be there for those aspects of it!

9) What blogs inspire you?

I seriously suggest you check out any and all blogs I follow. They are all amazing - otherwise I wouldn't be a reader! But to keep this short, I will name just a few.

Kelly, Lee, Janet, Kelley, Allison, and Paula

10) What artists inspire you?

Right now its a lot of bloggers - but also still some of my favorite "recognized" artists are Kandinsky, Matisse, John Galliano (fashion designer), Tara Donovan, Guerrilla Girls, Kehinde Wiley and so many more.

(Tara Donovan)

11) What cartoon character describes you the best?

Calvin and Hobbes. I love the imagination, the love, and the gore. They are both looking for adventure. Calvin is impulsive, overly creative, imaginative, energetic, curious, rude, and has bit of a tantrum about having to do chores, eat health food, take baths and do schoolwork. He has no restraint... he is very much the psychological Id. Calvin also has 3 alter egos in addition to Hobbbes: Spaceman Spiff, Tracer Bullet, and Stupendous Man.

Hobbes is pretty rational and understands the consequences of all Calvin's actions. When Calvin is being critical - Hobbes uses sarcasm to defuse the moment. He also tends to remind Calvin to stop and enjoy the present moment.

These two are a good interpretation of how I feel. Sometimes there is a split... like I have so many interests and contradictions that at times me and myself are wrestling each other like Calvin and Hobbes and the rest of the time I am enjoying my company. While this might make me sound schizophrenic, I'm not, but I definitely recognize all the dichotomies I hold.

12) Tell me about a recent favorite event.

Recently, I've really been enjoying long summer evening walks with the dogs and Hubby. But an event was the concert Hubs and I went to for our anniversary. I really enjoy that he and I have dates that are a bit more unique then the next. I'd rather have a great memory than a fancy dinner.

13) If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Bora Bora, but not during monsoon season! I just want to bury my feet in the sand, go swimming with exotic fish, and really breathe in the air around me. I am constantly doing - even when I am on vacation. And even though I am sure there is plenty of stuff I would want to do in Bora Bora, a big part of the draw is the idea of doing nothing and loving it. Almost all the other places I want to go is because I want to do something there - see museums, learn to make the culture's food, sight see... you name it. Right now doing nothing sounds a little more needed!

14) If you had to give a speech at a high school, what would it be about?

I think maybe emphasizing that in every act there is a decision. Make it an empowering speech where the kids feel like they have choices but also emphasize knowing and taking responsibility for what the consequences are. Also realizing that things are not fixed in stone. That the school seems to emphasize that if you haven't decided where you are going and what you are doing by the time you are out of middle school that you will fail life - there is no such thing as knowing what the future holds. Try and keep an open mind. Believe in happenstance.

15) What is something you are looking forward to?

I am really excited about my internship. And I want to hold onto that feeling before I reach the stage of wishing it was over! I can't wait to get my feet wet and see what I will actually be doing at my site.

16) Name one thing you miss about being a kid.

Summers without jobs.

17) What was your worst (but in a funny way) dating experiences?

I was walking on my way to class in undergrad. A truck was passing me in the opposite direction, the guy was watching me in his review mirror rather than pay attention to the road and crossed lanes and had a head on collision. Thankfully, it was a fender bender and nothing more. I didn't have time to stop, so I asked if everyone was okay and then went on my way. He shouted after me, but I think I just laughed and continued to class. The next week I was downtown and a guy on a skateboard saw me, looked in my direction rather than where he was going, and fell over a curb. Since I didn't have class to go to, I stopped to at least say hi. His friend that was laughing at him ended up being the guy in the truck. They made me flip a coin to decide who I would go out on a date with. Needless to say, flipping a coin doesn't pick the guy with the best qualities. It was a one time date which I enjoyed solely for the free meal.

18) What were three happiest moments in your life - so far?

There are so many more than three. But here are the biggies:

1) Being born - honestly, I can't imagine my life without this moment ;)

2) Becoming an aunt. I'm known as Tia to my 11 nieces and nephews and I so enjoy my time with them! I lived with my first niece the summer she was born and helped take care of her. Since I have VERY strong maternal instincts, having these kids fills my heart.

3) Getting engaged and then married to my hubby. Are relationship started as just friends, and although there were a lot of hurdles thrown our way, it was really sweet to watch us progress into something more - something inseperable.

19) What are some of the pets that you've had and their names?

Sir Lancelot - part golden retriever and part chow chow. He looked like a lion... seriously he was huge and had a mane.

Rose and Marie - my two hamsters... but they looked more like rats. Sir Lancelot was pretty interested in these guys so we had to make sure no incidents happened.

Bob and Snickers - these were horses that I didn't name... they came with their names. Bob was a very tempermental white Arabian and Snickers was an adorable mix between Arabian and Thouroughbred.

Tucson - my golden retriever. The sweetest and most well trained dog I have ever known.

Midas, Sushi and Sashimi, and Poseidon. Midas was a gold fish. Sushi and Sashimi were Koi fish. Poseidon was a Beta fish.

Puka - My adorable albino flop ear bunny. I snuck Puka into my dorm room the final year I lived on campus and then into my apartments after.

Polka and Dot - the rats from my undergrad rat lab (no worries - they were not maltreated. We did voice commands and training is all)

Blitz and Sasha - the German Shepherds Hubby and I got together. They think they are our children, probably because we tend to think that too.

20) What is something quirky you do?

I am a pretty quirky individual. So there are a lot of odd things I do. My pantry is always REALLY well organized. The items are categorized and all the labels are just so. I think this is normal - I have been told it is not. My closet is also this way - even my sock and underwear drawers. Again - I think this is normal. I've been told I go way overboard.

I fast forward or squirm through scenes on tv and in movies where they talk with their mouths full of food or where they just have poor eating skills - I mean REALLY. It isn't even reality. Someone chose to keep that scene in. Gross! And yes, I rant everytime also.

And finally (21) Name three adjectives about each of the bloggers participating in Perspectives.

Chelsea. Self-initiated (and then she gets us all involved!), inspiring, dependable.

Donica. Diligent, captivating, eloquent.

Jessica. Exuberant, gregarious, comedic.

Taylor. Studious, helpful, understanding.

And they are all obviously very creative.

Please click their names to see their answers for this weeks Perspectives.