Q: Where are you from and where do you live now? Before Austin, I lived in a suburb of Dallas. I was born and raised in Plano, TX and couldn’t get out fast enough. I came to the University of Texas (Austin) in 1999 to start my undergraduate in psychology liberal arts. After college, I went to California for two years, but left there following the end of a bad relationship. Q: What does community mean to you? Community is a group of people who are there for themselves, but they’re also there for each other. Community is a created family. Because even if you have family nearby, they may not be thinking of other people; they may not always have your best interest in mind. Community is made up of people who care to give as much, or more, than they take because it’s about everyone. The older I get and the crazier life seems to become, I realize a solid community is essential to personal growth. Q: What’s something you’re most proud of? I’m most proud of the fact that I always seem to land on my feet. Despite the ups and downs, I keep pushing forward. I’m proud of my resilience. Q: Where do you find inspiration, motivation, and encouragement? I’ve got a lot of self-motivation, really. I am motivated daily because I am always striving to do my best. To get up early, to get to the gym, to try a new recipe. To evaluate myself - how can I eat less meat, how can I use less plastic, how can I get better looking shoulders. All of the things. I’m really inspired by other people. I get a natural high from helping other people. The enjoyment, successes, and happiness they experience that I played some part in helping them achieve is what I love. Q: What’s one thing about motherhood that has surprised you? It sounds crazy to say it out loud, but what surprised me the most is how much time it takes and how unrewarding it can be. It makes me think how I treated my mother. I can’t remember all the things she did for me, but I imagine she gave up more than I realized. It really shocked me just how much I would have to give up, the amount of time required, even with one child. And how thankless of a role it can be. And as the child grows and changes, the phase changes again. You’ve got to constantly readjust schedules and priorities because of someone else’s needs. It’s really the time and continual giving that can be more draining than I ever realized it could be. Q: What’s one thing you want to accomplish over the next year? A year from now, I would like to be confident that I am being proactive in growing my career. Once I had a son, my career was quickly put on the back burner. I have a passion for what I do, but it’s been mostly coasting over the past few years. Now that Armin’s older, and becoming more independent, I feel I have a better sense of my time management and can better focus on my career goals and priorities. I’m really ready to start getting more career-focused. Q: What are you looking forward to gaining from a community of peers? I’m hoping to gain insight from mamas with more experience. I’m hoping to gain insight from others on how they’re handling and managing various issues with motherhood, parenting, marriage, relationships, or whatever. I want to learn what other women are doing. And, I don’t mean this to sound bad, but it’s also good to hear from others who are struggling because it lets you know you’re not alone. Because everyone does struggle. I’d also like to connect more with the larger community. I’m passionate about community issues and politics, but cannot seem to find the time for all of that. I’d love to connect with a community of women who also value those things and learn more from them. I am inspired by the mamas I know who are leaders and active in our community. |
