I'm that girl that's quietly reading in the corner or being incredibly rambunctious with her friends. There's very little in between.
Since I was a little kid and my dad read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone to me as a bedtime story, I've aspired to be an author. That's what has prompted me to major in Writing (specifically fiction writing). Hopefully I'll be able to create a world that young readers can get lost in just as I did and still do.
(#booknerd: Google images)
A little background to the title of my blog: I used to be a fast pitch softball player and I was a pitcher from third grade to my senior year of high school. I usually hate being the center of attention (due to my introverted nature) but, being on the pitchers mound was an entirely different and incredible experience. I loved the sport, my teammates and the non-stop competition. Softball was my life for a very long time. Not only was it a great way to get involved with people my age, it was a way for me to bond with my dad. I still carry that competitive nature around with me today.
As I was going through the college decision process, I had to make a hard decision. Do I go to a D3 school and play softball for four more years or do I go to a D1 school and give up competitive, fast pitch softball forever in order to focus on school?
I struggled with this for a time and then I visited OU on the recommendation of some high school friends. I fell in love with the campus and the people here. It's truly my home away from home.
After that, my decision was clear. It was time to let go of softball and focus on my career and my future. I have no regrets.
(The Best Place in the World: Google Images)
I'm currently a Junior, I've acquired a leadership position in my co-ed fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, and I finally got to bring my dog to college with me! She's a four-year-old miniature dachshund and the love of my life!
(Dottie)
This summer I got to visit my cousins in California for a week which was super fun! We were out there for the Fourth of July so we thought it only fitting to get light up shoes from Disney Land's Universal Walk to be extra patriotic.
(Me and my Cousins)
Just a few more things about me:
My favorite book series is Harry Potter but my favorite book is The Book Thief.
Halloween is my favorite holiday.
I hate fruit (yes, all fruit. Yes, I know I'm weird).
I believe Texas is the best state ever.
Country music is my favorite, I could listen to it forever!
My favorite scary movie used to be The Conjuring 2, but Annabelle Creation has since taken that spot. If you haven't seen it yet, you totally should!!
(Annabelle Creation Trailer: YouTube)
What a fun graphic, Emily! I need to snag that for my own use. And I hope this class can be a good opportunity to experiment with storytelling in some new ways. And if Halloween is your favorite holiday, perhaps you can take advantage of the fall semester to do a Halloween-themed project for class. There are so many great Halloween-related legends, like the eerie Jack O'Lantern himself, just to mention one. You can see what you think when you start brainstorming some project topics later this week! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Emily!
ReplyDeleteI can relate to your post in so many ways! Although I believe I am an extrovert, I become an introvert as soon as the attention is on me. During my freshman year at OU, I was on the cheerleading team and loved it until someone ask me to do a cheer or something outside of uniform. Actually, ever since I can remember, I have never cheered or did gymnastics with my contacts in. I just love getting to perform without being able to tell who is watching. My friends would disagree because anytime they tried to wave from the student section, they were ignored due to the fact that I couldn't make out any faces that far.
I look forward to reading more of your posts in the future!
Hi Emily! You're much braver than I am. I don't go near scary movies with a ten foot pole because I get nightmares like you wouldn't believe. I do love reading though, and have as long as I can remember. If you have any book suggestions let me know! I'm always up for a new read! I don't think I have a favorite book or series - I tend to like everything - but I'm currently quite taken with the Throne of Glass series. You should totally read it!
ReplyDeleteHi Em! I can't wait to go through this class together - it will be just like old times. For anyone else reading this comment, I am also in the Alpha Phi Omega co-ed fraternity that Emily is in, and we're pretty close. Em, you need to let me snuggle your dog all the time, okay? And you know you can come to me if you need book recommendations. I know what you like (hint: Shatter Me)! For some reason, I didn't know that you liked scary movies, which is funny because the only scary movie I've ever seen in the original Exorcist. Anyway, you're great, and I can't wait to read what you write for class. YiLFS.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily! I was immediately interested in your post because of the title. I can relate to it since I am also introverted, but loved playing football growing up. I know exactly what you mean when it comes to the love of constant competition. I also am a huge fan of horror movies too. I haven’t had a chance to watch Annabelle Creation yet, but I’ve heard lots of good things about it and will need to watch it soon.
ReplyDeleteHey Emily, Oh my god i could not stop laughing once I saw your dogs photo. I understand the struggles you went through with your softball and I hope you're glad you made the choice to at the end of everything you came here. Do you enjoy reading and writing so far? Do you like the way the movies brought the Harry Potter Movies to life? If that's the kind of stories you like I urge you to read The Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand your softball experience. I played baseball my whole life and even for a year in college and was also a pitcher. I totally agree that is a completely different feeling knowing you're in control and being the center of attention. I also had to make that choice of whether or not to keep playing and I don't regret my decision at all. That competitive nature is hard to beat from a ball player and I think its helped me a lot as well. It was great seeing a little snippet into who you are!
Hi Emily! I can totally relate with the "quietly reading in the corner or incredibly rambunctious" thing! I feel like I can be the same way! I absolutely love to read and I honestly feel like reading is a really good thing that a lot of people today are truly missing out on! I think it's really cool that you played softball and it's sweet that you did it as a way to connect with your dad too! I'm glad you feel like you made the right choice coming here to OU, and I hope that someday I'll be seeing your name on the bookstore shelves!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily!
ReplyDeleteI think it’s really cool that you are majoring in writing and you want to pursue a career as an author! This class seems like it is a perfect fit for you and I can’t wait to read your stories this semester. I also played softball in high school and I totally agree with how you said it was a great way to meet other people and fuel a competitive nature. I hope you having a great semester so far!
Hey Emily! I think that is so awesome that you are a writing major! Not only that but that you want to be an author. I am a huge bookworm and I love reading so much so I am all for more authors putting books out there. This class seems like good practice since we have to write stories every week. It was nice to meet you.
ReplyDeleteHey Emily! As a chemical engineer, I personally can't relate with the writing major.. However I can say I have always done well in my English classes! However, I am also an author. Just not for books and stuff haha I am (and will be) an author of research papers! I am so excited for you and your career and hope you do very well in life!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily! I loved reading your intro post — I definitely identify with the "competitive introvert" label. I'm very reserved with new people but crazy with my friends, and love to compete. And I love that Harry Potter is what inspired you to write — I didn't read the series till I got to college, but then I fell in love with it. It's neat that that series has inspired so many others to create incredible fiction and to write! This class sounds perfect for you — looking forward to reading your writing.
ReplyDeleteHey there, Emily!
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot in common! I played baseball from when I was three years old all the way through high school. I put so much effort into baseball and some of my favorite memories come from playing on the diamond. I also loved to read the Harry Potter series growing up. Those were definitely some of my favorite books to read. I also love the movies. I think the Sorcerer's Stone is definitely the best! It was nice to learn a little bit about you!
Hey Emily! We are very much alike. I can be an introvert and have energy to be social while I am with friends. I was about five when that Harry Potter book came out, so I wasn’t read to anymore at that age really. At least, I was not read books like this at that age. I have not read any introductions that were from Writing majors yet. I am excited to read your story. I have so much more to say about sports and scary movies, but I will keep this short. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily! I’m so glad that you fell in love with OU, and have no regrets. It’s interesting how someone can go from an introvert to an extrovert depending on the situation. I love California! I’ve been to Disneyland, and it’s such a fun experience. I can’t imagine how much fun it would be for Fourth of July. I’ll have to go back soon! Looking forward to your blog!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily! We have very a lot in common! I actually read the first Harry Potter book out loud to my parents when I was about 10 years old. Then we would talk about it and kind of have a little book club. I also had to make the decision of going to a D3 school and playing golf or coming to a D1 school and joining a sorority and focusing on school. Obviously, we all know what I chose. Also I think Alpha Phi Omega and AOII are paired for homecoming so that's exciting.
ReplyDeleteIt's so cool that you want to be a writer! I can't wait to read your stories for this class, I bet they'll be so creative!
Hi Emily! Like you, I am a competitive introvert. I am always happiest with my nose stuck in a book. Also, Harry Potter was an absolute gift to mankind! I never played softball, my competitiveness tends to come out in strange ways. For example, my family is really big into board games. I have to warn people that if you don't want a whole lot of insults and crap talking thrown your way, don't ever play a board game with me...it gets intense! I really admire your drive and focus on becoming an author. It's wonderful when people figure out who they are, what they want to be, and what they want to accomplish so early. A lot of people don't ever find their passion, or if they do it's much later in life. I'm looking forward to reading all of the stories that you will have to write.
ReplyDeleteEmily, I totally understand the aspect of being a competitive introvert. I also hate being the center of attention. It is hard for me to even hold normal conversations with a only a few people sometimes. Still, I was competitive in clarinet from middle school through college. I am glad that you love the University of Oklahoma! It is such a beautiful place with so much diversity in the people who attend! Also, Harry Potter is simply the best. I hope your writing career goes well!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily!
ReplyDeleteI have a competitive nature like you as well! Except mine is in basketball. Although you gave up your passion for softball you came to an amazing school. I'm currently a senior and I have no regrets choosing OU as my next step and I hope you don't either. I like how you major goes so well with this class. I can't wait to read some of your stories!
Hey Emily, thanks for sharing your introduction. I love Harry Potter and I love that its your inspiration for wanting to become a writer. I too struggled with if I wanted to play a sport or not in college and ended up on the same path as you here at OU. PS your dog is so cute :) Good luck with your school year and happy blogging!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you. It's always amazing to read and hear about how people came upon their choice of OU. I think it's great that you are focusing on school, and know what you want to do with your future. I noticed you listed the Book Thief as one of your favorite books, and that is DEFINITELY one of mine as well. I absolutely loved that book - a must-read in my opinion. I wish you the best of luck with the rest of the semester. Only 5 more weeks! Nice to meet you again!
Hi Emily! First off, I love the picture of your dog. How cool that your were in Disneyland for the 4th of July. I love Disneyland. I think that the shoes were definitely a must. I also struggled with choosing if I wanted to run track in college or not, but I am very happy that I choose not to because my experiences at OU were life changing.
ReplyDeleteHi, Emily! Congrats on the leadership position in Alpha Phi Omega. I enjoyed reading The Book Thief, it is one of my favorite books. The Harry Potter series is one of my favorites also. Creating a world for young people to read and enjoy is a great aspiration, so I hope you achieve it one day. I wish you luck for the remaining of this semester.
ReplyDeleteHey Emily!
ReplyDeleteGood to hear that you are pursuing your childhood dream of becoming an author. It was also interesting to hear about your struggle between D3 and schooling. Good to hear that you have no regrets moving forward. Also Dottie seems like she would be a really nice dog! I hope you have a great rest of a semester!
Hi Emily! I enjoyed reading your introduction, and I can relate a lot to the title. I love reading and writing as well, but only recently have I considered making it my profession. Your dog is adorable! I'm a huge dog person, and I was so happy when I got to take my dog to college with me last year. Also, I totally agree that Texas is the best state ever!
ReplyDeleteHi there Em!
ReplyDeleteWell we are nearing the end of the semester, but I guess it's never to late to meet people, so it's nice to meet ya!
Your title is such a contradiction haha, one wouldn't expect that someone who likes to keep to themselves would also be so competitive. But that is what sports will do to ya! I can personally vouch haha. I am excited to read your stories, and good luck as we wrap up this semester!
Hello Emily! I absolutely love your title! After reading your blog, it describes you very well. Your dachshund is adorable! I have two named Henry and Sammy, so wiener dogs have always had a special place in my heart. Being a fiction writer is a wonderful thing to work toward; I look forward to finding a book written by you in a bookstore one day. Good luck with finals week!
ReplyDelete