I'm minoring in women's and gender studies and information studies. I became a WGS minor after I took an intro to WGS course as a general education requirement. I fell in love with the way that this discipline talks about all kinds of people with ultimate respect and encourages breaking social norms to follow your own path. I became an information studies minor because of my love of books, knowledge, and information. I shelved books at a public library in high school, and I would love to explore the library sciences field more in the future.
I've lived in Shawnee, OK, for the past 7 years, and before that I lived in Seminole, OK; Middletown, MD; Frederick, MD; and St. Petersburg, FL. Through these many moves, I've come to learn that there are extraordinary people everywhere who are just waiting to share their stories with you. This realization created a love for international travel. I've visited Hamburg, Germany; Venice, Turin, Naples, Rome, and Florence, Italy; Paris, Vichy, Charroux, Marseilles, and, Lyon, France; and Juarez, Mexico.
The next places on my list to visit are Ireland, England, Japan, and Hawaii.
My sister, Angelica, and my nephew, Ryan, are some of the most important people in my life. Ryan is two and a half, and I love getting to play and be silly with him.
(Image information: personal photo of Ryan taken at Andrews Park in Norman, OK; photo from July 2013).
I'm taking this class because as a writer, I love stories. I love how our society knows what makes a good story or storyteller without having to learn it traditionally. We know that timing, tone of voice, expression, and gestures make someone a good story teller just like we know that plot, characters, conflict, background, and setting make a good story.
If there's anything else you want to know about me, just ask!
Wow! I can't believe so much has changed since I've lived with you in the dorms. First off I had no idea that you not only gained one minor but two! I have to say I totally agree about Women and Gender Studies, I took a intro course last semester and was enamored with it. Also I knew you loved to travel but had no idea you have already been to so many places, super jealous! Ryan is so big now I remember when he was super super tiny and now he's growing to be such a healthy young man. I hope to see you soon, some things never change I'm still never around!
ReplyDeleteYour drive and motivation is so refreshing to see. It is so great to see someone who follows their passions and lets their life be guided by them; not many people are able to do that these days. I always enjoy discussing books with people who like to read, and especially those who like novels and fiction – such as your self. I hope that you continue to have a great writing career and that you only become greater with time.
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting to find someone who has found a major that they really enjoy and can relate why they picked it to almost every aspect of your life. Your nephew seems really cute; it is wonderful that you get to spend so much time with him!
ReplyDeleteI also have been given the opportunity to travel growing up and can tell you that Hawaii is a terrific place to go, especially if you enjoy getting away from the tourist portion of the cities. The landscape is absolutely gorgeous and the mixture of beautiful beaches and mountains are truly breathtaking.
Ohhhh, that combination of non-profit journalist and young adult fiction writer is so appealing, Alissa! Wow! I love it! I interact with a lot of writers and editors online, and I am learning new things all the time from them. And librarians too, of course! It is AMAZING the stuff that is going on in the OU Libraries these days, such a big push for all kinds of new projects since Rick Luce arrived! It sounds like this is definitely the right class for you, and I hope you will have a chance to explore and create stories that you enjoy, and maybe some stories for Ryan too (what a cutie!). Have fun!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is really cool how moving so many times has affected how you view your schoolwork and your writing. I personally have only moved from Tulsa to Norman for college and that does not even really count. With your writing ambitions, I am sure that your blog is going to be one of the best. I will definitely come back to see what interesting spins you put on these myths.
ReplyDeleteAlissa, I think it is so awesome that you are majoring in something you are so passionate about. I had such a hard time finding my major because there isn’t really a whole lot that I’m particularly interested in. It’s clear that you know what you want and won’t let anything stop you. I also can’t believe you’ve been to so many countries. It’s awesome to get the opportunity to travel. I lived in Japan 4 years and I miss it every day… so that is definitely a great place to go!
ReplyDeleteHi Ailssa! Your combination of majors and minors sounds really interesting! So does your career combination! I think it's really great that you're so passionate about it too. It took me a long, long time before I found something I really liked.
ReplyDeleteI am actually from Rockville, MD and lived there until was nine! I really liked it there, especially the cherry blossoms.
Nice meeting you!
Wow, professional writing! That sounds amazing. I'm a PR major and love to write, but the writing is a bit different. I also love to travel, I've been to England and it was an incredible experience. When you go, you have to visit the Tower of London. I absolutely loved it, for more than the Crown Jewels and old stories, it is a place full of so much history and cool events. It's amazing to think that huge English historical events happened there: beheadings, prisoners , churches. It was so cool to see! Sounds like you are a creative and driven person, good luck with everything!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you Alissa! You have such a great path set for yourself and you sound extremely determined. If this class is fun even for an engineering major like me it must be amazing as a professional writing major! I love to travel as well and it's always fun to hear where other people have gone. Best of luck with your career!
ReplyDeleteHello Alissa! I think it's really cool that you are doing professional writing for your major. Your writing skills definitely show through in all your posts on your blog! I'm jealous of all the places you've been able to visit, I've always wanted to explore Europe, especially Italy. I have been to Hawaii, but I would also like to go back, haha.
ReplyDeleteI think you have my dream major! That sounds like so much fun! I bet you absolutely love this class and I am sure your work is incredible! Your travels sound amazing! I have always wanted to be able to travel more. Did you travel with a study abroad program or something else? I bet you use a lot of experiences that you have had and apply it into your writing! Your nephew looks like a real sweet kid! I am really looking forward to reading your works this semester! Good luck in all of your endeavors!
ReplyDeleteHi Alissa!
ReplyDeleteHearing that you are going to be a professional writer makes me really excited to read your stories! I am sure they are amazing! I also LOVE to travel so I guess we have that in common! I really want to go to Ireland and England as well! I have been to Hawaii twice and it is beautiful. I would definitely recommend it to anyone it is such a romantic and fun place to be. It is weird to think of it as being part of the US because it is so different. I have been to a few of the same places that you mention you have been to and I think my favorite would be Florence or Paris! Such beautiful places to visit. I am looking forward to having this class with you. Have a great semester.
ALISSA!!
ReplyDeleteI finally get to comment on your blog! So. I didn't learn much about you from this introduction of yours, but that's because we spent an entire summer in France together, so I got to know you pretty well. You and your arm festivals ;) haha I'm really happy that you're taking this class because I know how much you love writing and I love how you write, so I will be a frequent visitor of all of your compilations :) You are such a wonderful and sweet person and I just wanted to let you know that! Please don't ever stop writing. That''l make the world sad. Also. I was with you when you had that profile picture on here taken :)
Alissa, it seems like this class would be really beneficial for what you hope to do later in life. We have many common favorite authors. J.K. Rowling- I mean who doesn't love Harry Potter? And Lois Lowry. The Giver is one of my all-time favorite books and I have reread it multiple times. I have read some of the John Green books and loved them as well- The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska. I have not read any of Kiera Cass' or Shannon Hale's novels so I will have to look into it because we seem to have similar taste. I am jealous of all your travels! I have been to Brazil, Mexico, Bahamas, Dominican Republic and basically anywhere you can think of in the Caribbean. I guess you could say my family likes tropical places. But I would love to backpack Europe someday. I loved your introduction and hopefully one day I will be reading your novels!
ReplyDeleteAlissa, I completely agree with you about WGS and how they want to breakdown social norms. If you ever get a change there is a class called Sociology of Gender that's main goal is just that. It was incredibly insightful. There is also a documentary on Netflix called Miss Representation. I think you would enjoy it immensely! I hope to one day see one of your books out there! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWhat you want to do in the future sounds awesome, what with writing and traveling! I actually share your passion of traveling, and I’ve traveled mostly within Europe with my family. I’ve never been to Mexico, though I really want to since I know some Spanish and because the culture is awesome! Just wondering, by the way, out of all the countries you’ve been to, which has been your favorite?
ReplyDeleteHi Alissa, I think it is so great that you have found a major and a few minors that really speak to your interest. It is great to be able to become educated in what you love to do. I must say, I am jealous of all the places you have been able to travel to! I have yet to leave the country but am planning on making a trip soon. Your nephew is a cutie!
ReplyDeleteWow it sounds like you probably have your hands full with school! I love how we all get to interact in this class even though many of us have non-related majors. I think it is great that you have had the opportunity to travel so much. I feel that traveling is something that everyone should do! Hope your semester is going great as we begin to approach the finish line!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you plan on becoming a novelist! I do not hear that too often in this generation, and as the son of a journalist, it gives me hope. In fact, my father is working on a novel right now, but he tends to be very secretive of it. I never understand why because he is such a great writer. I'm also happy to see that you've had your fair share of travel.
ReplyDeleteWow, It must really help being a professional writer. Especially with this class. Lucky you. You have live in quite a few places. Must have been very interesting. I think it’s great how you know what you really want to do. I think having a tunnel vision really helps. England, and Ireland are both great places, as I have been. My wife would like to visit Hawaii though. And I’m sure japan is great. Good luck.
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ReplyDeleteHello Alissa! Your choice of major and minors is really cool! I wasn’t sure what information studies was exactly, but that definitely sounds interesting! Your list of visited travel destinations are really impressive, I hope I can travel that much one day! I also like your outlook on life and the way that you see everybody as having a story to tell!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe we're this far into the semester and this is the first time I have visited your blog! It's nice to meet you Alissa! I admire your passion when it comes to journalism and your career goals, I have no doubt you will be successful at what you want to do! I definitely share you love of traveling, however, I have not been to near the amount of places you have been! Italy or Ireland are next up on my 'traveling bucket list' though. I love reading, but unfortunately writing is not one of my fortes. Good luck with the rest of the semester and all of your future endeavor's!
ReplyDeleteAlissa,
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that we are at the end of the semester and I haven't got to read anything from your blog yet. I really enjoyed reading about you. I truly admire professional writing majors so I am jealous of your writing skills. I can't wait to read some of your work! Hope you enjoy the rest of your semester.
Hi, Alissa! I can't believe I'm just now commenting on your introduction when we only have a few weeks left in this class. I'm glad I got to read it, though! That's awesome that you've got to go to so many places. I've only ever been to Japan but it's a beautiful country full of lovely people. :) Next on my list is Ireland for sure. Hope we both get to see that one soon!
ReplyDeleteAlissa, it is so cool to see you so passionate about so many different areas and to see your passion transform into your career path and studies! Not many people can relate to their fields as closely as you do, so that's really great.
ReplyDeleteYour travels also seem extremely cool and exciting. Seeing the world is certainly something not a lot of people can boast about, but having those experiences is really priceless. Hawaii is definitely a MUST for one of your next travels though. I went there this summer, and the locations are incredible. I was in awe the entire time. You really cannot believe places this incredible exist! And on top of the beauty, the locations come with some really interesting history!!! That's why I focused my storybook on it this semester! I strongly recommend visiting.
Hi Alissa! I think that is awesome that you are a professional writing major. I also love to write fantasies and you have some of my favorite authors there! Travel is such a good way to experience new things and get ideas for writing. You really have been to amazing places! I’ve only had the luxury of seeing Florence out of those. England is AWESOME though! I have been there!
ReplyDeleteWell good luck with your courses and future!
Hey Alissa, as I'm finishing up for the semester I just wanted to say thanks for the comment on my storybook. Your insight was very helpful and much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteHey Alissa,
ReplyDeleteI'm really surprised that I haven't been by your site yet since the class is almost over. That's awesome how you are into traveling, I would love to go and see the world but I was just too busy for the longest time. Its also neat how you plan on writing too, you remind me of my sister because she has several of the same interests and plans as you do with writing. Best of luck to you with your writing and have a great Thanksgiving!
I am also a big fan of Lois Lowry. The Giver series is my favorite. I like that the fourth book ties up all the loose ends, and was not what I had expected.
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