(Personal "artwork")
As a 27-year-old wife and mother, I’m not the typical OU
student but I am proud to say that I will receive my biology degree in
December. I originally came to OU
in the fall of 2006 and I have had many extended breaks and major changes (letters
and anthropology) during this time.
The good news is, I finally know what I want to be when I grow up. After graduation I hope to attend
graduate school and study to become a physician assistant.
When I’m not juggling classes or my 2 year old, I enjoy
reading all types of fiction and running fun 5ks. Earlier this year I had an unfortunate accident during such
a race resulting in the severe fracture of my left leg. Incidentally I’m
looking for a new hobby. ;)
(X-ray documentation of my personal tragedy)
This semester I am enrolled 4 classes and I am a teaching
assistant for another. In addition
to school, I work part-time as a pharmacy technician. And because I am a glutton for punishment, my husband and I
are building a new home that should be finished around Christmas.
I share my home with my husband of 6 years, my adorable son
Garrett, my father, and a schnauzer named Ozzy. We love to cook huge family dinners and my favorite cuisine
to cook is Italian. We keep a
small garden in the back yard and fresh vegetables are always at hand.
(Kalin, Garrett, and Brett Taylor: Personal Photo)
I love to travel and cannot wait until after graduation when
we will have more time for vacation.
My most memorable vacation has been to Rome and I think I fell in love
at first sight. I hope to go back
one day and since I tossed a coin in Trevi, I’m sure that I will.
I hope that this class and blog help rekindle my love for
writing. Somewhere along the way,
the once creative, cathartic, voluble experience of writing became a chore and
procrastination and dread accompanied every assignment. As someone who loves
and values stories so much, I hope to participate in the creation of them as
well their consumption.
Hey Kalin! I think Im in your MW 1:30 Anatomy lab!! Goodness I can't imagine doing everything that you have going on this semester, I can barely handle eating and taking Anatomy! I really love to travel as well, my favorite place so far has been Australia, which I visited this past summer! I also plan to go to PA school after graduation, if I can just make it there!
ReplyDeleteI would love to go to Australia! Some of our friends have traveled there and brought back some wonderful stories and souvenirs.
DeleteJust work hard in anatomy and it will be SO helpful when you get to PA school. Best of luck and I'm happy to help however I can.
Hi Ann! I'm still trying to learn everyone's names but it's nice to know a fellow online student in real life.
DeleteJust work hard and you'll do great. I'm happy to help in any way I can.
Hi Kalin. I chose to read your blog posts because my sisters name is Kalain as well but spells it a little differently. Very cool! I also have to say wow, it is very impressive that you can manage to juggle class and having a family! Your son is so cute. I can barely manage just going to school so I am always so impressed by people who can juggle so much. I also love to travel and Rome was one of my favorite places too!
ReplyDeleteMy family is the most effortless part of my life! My husband is wonderful and so supportive and my son is the light of my life. They make all the effort worthwhile.
DeleteHello Kalin!
ReplyDeleteWow, you juggle a lot! So many classes and a family! Your family is absolutely adorable, especially your little boy. It's always wonderful when I get to meet people who are a bit older than me in classes. Seeing their happiness and success is so very encouraging and inspiring. You've managed to travel all over, have a beautiful family, and are a successful student; I hope I can one day do so well.
Also, cool picture of your leg injury! The fact that you were injured is terrible but the X-ray photo is very neat and it's very awesome of you to share it with us!
What a great picture of you and your family, Kalin! Little Garrett is adorable! And I would be so glad if this class re-ignited your writing. Maybe you can do a project for class with Garrett in mind, stories for him to enjoy as he gets bigger. You can never have too many stories for the young ones!
ReplyDeleteAnd as for Rome: it is the city of magic! There are so many legends and folktales about that city, along with the great legends about its founding by Romulus. That might also be something fun to explore for class. So many possibilities!
It sounds like you are now on the path you want to be on, and that is great!
ReplyDeleteAs a writer myself, I hope you do regain your love for writing! A quote from Stephen King, Stephen King, "If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”
You said you like to read a lot, what do you like to read?
Good luck with this class, and your semester!
I read absolutely everything! Thrillers, mysteries, literary fiction, historical fiction, young adult, romance, fantasy, science fiction...you name it. I just don't read very much nonfiction besides required readings for school. For the last 5 years I have read between 250-300 books per year. I wasn't keeping track before then.
DeleteKalin,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about you so much!! I love when I find someone else on campus who can share a similar story. I am also a wife and mother! Yay us for being able to handle it all. My daughter is 3 years old and I got married a little under a month ago. Congratulations on your family, you guys look so happy! Other than our personal life our school life is somewhat similar too. I graduate in May with a Biology degree too :). However, I intend applying to medical school. Anyways, I really enjoyed meeting you. Good luck to you in all your endeavors I am sure you will be great!
Hello, Kalin!
ReplyDeleteYOUR SON IS SOOOO CUTE! I think it is absolutely fantastic that you're continuing to get your degree! I have a hard time juggling my life, I can't imagine how stressful it must be for you sometimes--you're pretty much a hero!
I also think it's fantastic that you guys have big family dinners! I so wish that would have been a part of my life growing up. It sounds like your son is really lucky to have you!
I hope this class provides a really great opportunity for you to do something you like, and gives you a break from those crazy bio classes! Best of luck to you.
Madison
Hey Kalin, first off, I like your blog design. I'm envious of your garden, I know it is hard work and I wish I could have one. I'm so excited for you that you are graduating in December! It's also nice that you have a plan for after you graduate. You sound like you have such a full plate, husband, kid, building a house, school, kudos to you for being so driven!!
ReplyDeleteHello Kalin!
ReplyDeleteI definitely want to start off by saying your family is so adorable! It's awesome that you have love to cook and have fresh vegetables growing just feet away! Also, it's great that you know what you want to do. I think it's important to change things up, switch majors, and take time to figure out what it is you'll really enjoy!
I noticed that we have some things in common! I'm also a pharmacy technician and I really enjoy it. It's always nice to meet a fellow technician! I also love writing and I haven't had much time to really get back into it so I'm glad that this class gives me the chance to.
Anyways, it was great meeting you, and good luck with everything! Congrats on your degree and I hope the road becoming a physicians assistant goes well!
Hello! It sounds like you stay pretty busy! Ouch to the knee injury. I understand the major changes. It took me awhile before I finally realized what I wanted to do. I can’t imagine worrying about house details and having such a busy schedule as you do! I worked as a pharmacy technician for three years and I liked it pretty well. It helped me realize pharmacy was not for me though because of how demanding it was. It was nice to meet you! Good luck with the house and the rest of your classes!
ReplyDeleteHi Kalin,
ReplyDeleteYou are like a superwoman! You have so much on your plate, I don't think I would be able to handle that much. I give you all of the kudos! I can't wait to have a house of my own and grow fresh fruits and veggies. If you have any tips, I would love them! I'm sorry about your knee injury, hopefully you'll be able to find a new hobby soon! It was nice meeting you and I look forward to your work this semester.
Hi Kalin! Although it is later in the semester, it is nice to have the chance to meet you! Kudos to you for being a non-traditional student and being able to complete your bachelor's. Your family selfie is adorable, by the way :) I'm excited to read your writing, and I hope that at this point in the semester that this class has helped to rekindle your love for writing!
ReplyDeleteHi Kalin! It's nice to meet you even though the semester is almost over. It is awesome that you graduate this December! Congrats! Oh no on fracturing your leg running! I hope your up and running again soon! My mom runs a lot and she recently had surgery on her foot. She has been about to go crazy since she hasn't been able to run! Good luck to you for the rest of the semester!
ReplyDeleteHi, Kalin. It was nice to read about your interests and to meet you. Congratulations on choosing something that you want to do and love. You seem like you keep yourself plenty busy with school, work and a family. I am having a hard time just keeping up with school. It was nice to meet you and good luck with your future.
ReplyDelete