READING BOOKS & SHORT STORIES
In my spare time, usually when I'm biking at the gym, I like to read science fiction (or speculative fiction) novels and shorty stories. Among my favorite authors are Harlan Ellison. Sci-fi challenges readers to think about the world around them differently, and in my opinion improves ones quality of life. Titles with asterisks are ones I highly recommend.
- Those Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin
- Ringworld by Larry Niven
- Unicorn Variations by Robert Zelazny*
- Gateway by Frederik Pohl
- The Stand by Stephen King
- Sandkings by George R. R. Martin*
- Repent Harlequin, Said the Tick Tock Man by Harlan Ellison
- Slow Sculpture by Theodore Sturgeon
- A Song for Lya by George R. R. Martin*
- A Boy and His Dog by Harlan Ellison
- Adrift Just Off the Islets of Langerhans: Latitude 38° 54' N, Longitude 77° 00' 13" W by Harlan Ellison
- Inconstant Moon by Larry Niven*
- The Deathbird by Harlan Ellison
- The Marching Morons
- Vintage Season
- Houston, Houston, Do You Read?
- Flowers for Algernon
FITNESS, HEALTH & FUN IN THE KITCHEN
seIn the past three years I have made a personal shift to alter my health and fitness. After watching loads of Netflix documentaries, like Forks Over Knives or Plant Pure Nation, and being fed up with feeling sluggish or moody, I decided to change. I cut out soda, opted to eat cleaner, cooked more, ate out less, reduced alcohol consumption, increased my fitness and have maintained this, more or less, since May 2015. I have learned how important nutrition is and how often it is disregarded, especially within our Western diet. I don't claim to be perfect, sure I will eat cheer curds once in awhile or indulge in a good beer, but striving to be healthy 90% of the time is better than not trying at all. If you're ever curious about my transformation, feel free to ask me about it. It's been eye-opening.
FAMILY TIME & EMBRACING ROOTS
As the oldest of four siblings, I am the spearhead for a lot of things: college, jobs, study abroad, you name it, I've probably "tested the waters" for my sisters and brother. But I don't mind. I am pretty close with my family and they all live in Minneapolis, so I see them on a regular basis. While I was abroad I met up with my distant relatives in Bavaria and connected with my German roots. I am in love with German culture and the language and the food, and so is my family. In fact, in summer 2017 I had a chance to visit Lakota (formerly Germania) in Iowa, the town where my relatives form Unterampfrach, Germany would have migrated to. I brought back a painting from my travels in Bavaria, courtesy of a painter friend, and placed it in a museum there in Lakota.
MAINTAINING INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIPS
Over the past four years I have managed to travel across the US to multiple conferences and met dozens of people. While I was abroad I met students from all across Europe: Bulgaria, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Spain, Italy, Romania, Ireland, Mexico and more. The most amazing thing is that I am still in contact with these individuals. Whether I met them at a conference two years ago or traveled with them to Prague for a weekend, we keep in touch because I want to maintain my network and not lose sight of those meaningful relationships. I talk to at least one or more people outside my state (and sometimes country) every week because communication is important to me. Plus I know it is only a matter of time until I reconnect with some of my friends. In fall 2016 I was able to connect with a group of European students at my university and organize a cultural cafe, a going away dinner and rockclimbed weeklyn with one of the students.
TO BE OR NOT TO BE?
I have been participating in theatre since I was fourteen and a freshman in high school. Fast forward eight years and I am now a senior in college, still active in theatre, but mostly in the community. Theatre is an amazing outlet because it's creative, you interact with talented and passionate people, you get to be part of something bigger than yourself by bringing a production to life and for me it is incredibly rewarding. I have been involved as stage crew, an assistant stage manager, an assistant director, stage manager, writer, microphone operator, spotlight operator and more. I am always learning new things and meeting new people. While in college I have helped with productions in St. Cloud including Cat in the Hat, Shrek the Musical, Addams Family the Musical and Sister Act. I have yet to act onstage, but hope to one day. When I'm not hidden offstage helping actors change, I do enjoy going to see productions or listen to musicals in my spare time.
Page last updated: February 3, 2018.