Quick note: I registered for the GRE today! Go Me!
Here are my proposed questions from Jenny, feel free to comment, though I made no references to dating skinny girls, so you guys have a lot less ammunition. Also Kenny no way am I posting your questions till after I see you this weekend, so suck it!
1. Why do you think you talk so much? It’s an honest question, I swear. I’m not poking (too much) fun at you!
There’s lots of reasons why I talk a lot. I’d really like to say because I am very social person, and that I enjoy talking to lots of different people, but sadly this is only a small percentage of the truth. The two biggest reasons I talk a lot have to do with family and environment.
Virtually everyone in my family is very aggressive with the way they talk, and spend very little time actually listening to what’s being said. I mean they listen, but they are generally more concerned with what they are going to say next. One of the most common phrases that happens among my family members is “don’t Interrupt me before I finish what I’m saying” Everyone is just so used to being interrupted that they need to prepare the audience not to interrupt. It’s rather sad, honestly. The only person who doesn’t really act like this is my Step Mom, but even she has her moments. Since I grew up in this extremely aggressive environment, it has resulted in me being extremely aggressive and talkative around other people, and since most people don’t compete on the same level as me, I tend to talk a lot more than most.
Also there’s the environment variable, if everyone around me is talking up a storm I generally stay pretty quiet. I actually get really uncomfortable during moments of silence with people, so I try to keep conversations going single handedly by asking lots of questions, trying to tell a story, or something along those lines. Surprisingly when I am by myself I actually prefer it to be almost silent, I rarely have the television on or even music playing, and even the sound of the air-conditioning bothers me. My favorite sound in the world is the sound of the out doors.
Sadly I do try pretty hard at correcting my gift of gab. I don’t really talk a lot at work, though I do get excited sometimes. Even worse, the people who notice that I talk a lot, often complain when I’m not talking. Even you are guilty of this Jenny (Driving to Cedar Point). To be honest if everyone was having an extremely lively discussion and I could just sit back and listen, I’d be really happy.
2. I know we joke around about your (half) Jewishness, but I’m curious…What effect does your family’s religion have upon you? I can never tell how serious you are or how much you believe. Is it just something you participate in for your family’s sake, or do you truly hold those beliefs?
I don’t really follow the Jewish Doctrine. I don’t keep Kosher, I only honor the Sabbath when I’m with other Jews, I don’t even speak Hebrew. What I do feel strongly about is the culture associated with Judaism. I really love the people that come along with the Jewish religion. In general I find them very hardworking, highly educated, and very strong in character. So because of this I consider myself a Jew by culture and not by religion. Though I have began to think about going to Temple again. I’ve never been a strong believer in organized religion, but I really would love to connect with whatever little Jewish community exists in Cedar Rapids.
3. If you could have any career in the world (excluding your current position/degree) what would it be and why?
I’d really love to be an event planner or a tour leader. All throughout college planning the trips that my friends went on and even planning banquet was just loads of fun. There is very little in life that I receive satisfaction from, but planning a successful event always puts a smile on my face. I also find that it goes along with my personality. Problem solving, dealing with lots of different people and agencies, constantly being on the go, and just straight up research, I excel at all of these things. Unfortunately I won’t be planning my Asia trip, but that’s only because I feel that’s the local is a bit to exotic for me to stumble my way through, perhaps during round 2 I will. Unfortunately taking on this career won’t happen till I retire, because, well the pay is about 50% of what I make now, and I’m way to greedy for that.
4. What quality would you NEVER change about yourself? (I know I asked Cat this, but I really like this question)
My ability to be impulsive while giving very little thought to the consequences. Most people are scared to take the first step, and lord knows I can be too, but that never stops me from doing it. Now I’m not saying hey lets go do something completely stupid like play chicken with a train. What I mean is I’m always ready for an adventure, and it would take a lot to dissuade me from whatever it is I want to do. A lot of my friends were freaking out about leaving home when they went away to college, while I on the other hand was like sweet something new and different. I find that by letting myself go, I can achieve so much more and live life to its fullest.
5. Was there ever a pivotal moment in your life (a choice you made, an event, etc..) that set you down your current path?
This is an extremely hard question to answer, because the decision was the result of something very bad that happened in my life. When I was a freshman in college, I got rejected by Pike twice. First time I didn’t get a bid, and the second time I got more votes than permitted, against me. The decision I made that night that I got phi’d was that I wasn’t going to quit, and that I hadn’t show Pike what I was really made of. Now, if I had just said “whatever” and became a GDI, I never would have met so many great friends, I probably would have transferred away from Rose. Only reason I stayed was because of Pike. I most likely wouldn’t have gotten as a great a job as I have right now. My personality probably wouldn’t have matured nearly as much as it has. Basically what you see in me now is the result of me never giving up when it came to joining my Fraternity.
Attached Comments:
Never give up. Particularly good advice when it comes to the ohcrapihavetwelvemathproblemstodoandonlythreeminuteslefttodothem GRE.
Posted by Keacher at 07:28 PM on July 28, 2006
I posted your questions under my Wed. entry, where all the other questions have gone. Let’s see what you can come up with for answers.
Posted by Brent at 08:58 AM on July 29, 2006
I just want to thank both you and Vince for the drunk phone call at 3:00 . . . in the AFTERNOON!!!
Posted by Mills at 02:32 AM on July 30, 2006
i answered your questions in my comments . . . i’m too lazy to remember your questions for this comment
Posted by Mills at 09:05 PM on July 30, 2006
Have to admit our family is full of a number of agressive talkers. Myself included.
Posted by your sister at 09:32 AM on August 1, 2006
I’d like to second that “thank you for the 3 PM drunk phone call.” I was at work and quite put out that I couldn’t be drunk at 3pm and hanging out with you guys. Well, I was put out until Vince mentioned you were stripping to swim in Speed Lake. Then I was quite happy to be at work… 😉
Posted by Jenny at 09:54 AM on August 1, 2006