10 Things to Know About Me

Jul 16

I could easily leave you with relying on the About Me page to understand who I am, but that’s not the type of relationship I want to build with you. Below I’ve created a short, honest, and vulnerable list of things most people don’t know about me. Reading the list will help you understand a little more about the way I see life including some of the experiences that are the foundation of my why, my mentality, and my purpose.

1. I love all things St. Louis Cardinals baseball.

My very first baseball experience about 3 years ago was with my husband, who is a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan. We lived 2 hours from St. Louis and we both were eager for something exciting. I fell in love with Busch Stadium that is the home to the St Louis Cardinals; the vibe and energy of the other baseball fans was so fulfilling. If you know even just a little about baseball, you know that the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals are rivals; imagine the tension in my house when the teams play each other.

2. I am a U.S. Army Veteran.

I joined the Army at the tender age of 18 and became a Military Police. It wasn’t the job that I envisioned for myself, but the Military Police Corps and it’s discipline taught me so much about proficiency and uncovered a ton of determination that I don’t think that I would have realized in any other branch. After 9 years of Active Duty, I competed for, and earned, a Green to Gold Scholarship. Upon earning my degree in History from Georgia Southern University, I’ll return to the Army as a Commissioned Officer.

3. I love all different types of music; Yes, including country.

Music, for a very long time, has fueled my soul. I don’t have a favorite genre of music, I have more of a vibe that I look for from the rhythm and beat of the song. Lyrics don’t mean much to me; it’s the unspokenness that connects me to a song. I rock with Coldplay and The Cure all the way to Don Toliver and Sheck Wes; maybe you can understand, maybe not.

4. The ending of my 1st marriage accelerated the realization of my self-worth.

What else really needs to be said here?

5. I can effortlessly study and research History.

Initially, I was going to go to college to study Nursing; I had watched my mother make a good living for our family as a Licensed Practical Nurse; I wanted to be successful and do something that would constantly be in demand. One morning I woke up with this epiphany that made me recall my constant quest to understand my ancestry; I realized that could be further understood by studying History. Changing my major, before school started, to History was the best thing I did for my college career and my own personal fulfillment. I’ve learned so much in just a short time.

6. I collect books because I love the smell, not necessarily because I love to read.

Weird, right? Yes, I know. I don’t entirely know how to explain it, but if you know you know. Over time, I’ve collected a lot of books covering different things that interest me. Most of them are biographies of people that I look to for inspiration and others are books about some of the nations most significant eras (e.g. Civil War, Progressive Era, and Civil Rights). Someday, I hope to have a large library in my house of all the books that I’ve collected over the years. As a future Historian, it’s essential for me to be able to use my own resources for references.

7. I believe that true beauty has nothing to do with anything physical.

So often we as people fall to the societal norms of beauty and trends. Unconsciously, or sometimes consciously, we follow trends because everyone else is doing them. Absolutely, some of those trends are great to have; but what else do you have to identify who you are? What about your mind? For me, beauty is a strong and experienced mind. Beauty is believing and understanding failure is possible, but being able to get back on your feet while smiling. Beauty is the ability to think past social normalities to create one’s own personal trends. Beauty is the confidence you have when you’re dancing and you think nobody is watching.

8. Deep analysis and critical thinking give me intellectual satisfaction.

There’s just something so satisfying to my mind after a full understanding of the “why” behind anything; thinking below what’s at the surface. I understood my love for analysis after taking a course title Black Women’s History. We were constantly challenged to understand the why behind different things like the Great Migration and the reasoning behind female students of SNCC (Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee) carrying purses into the dining facilities in which they weren’t allowed. You’d be shocked at the better understanding you can get of something by seeking the information below the surface.

9. On my left cheek, I have a scar of 3 parallel vertical lines.

“Murph (my nickname), were you sleeping?” “You’ve got lines on your face.” I reply with “Nah, those are permanent.” When I was very young, I thought it was wise to compete in a piggy back ride race, I was the piggy. My host fell and I went sliding against the concrete sidewalk, probably about 10 feet. I remember my face being covered in blood and my Mother being livid with the youth counselors for not paying attention. My face is imperfect and you may think I’ve been sleeping, but please know that I am well aware and awake.

10. The beach and fresh tacos are life essentials for me.

I find myself in some type of fantasy land when I am at the beach; maybe it’s something about the smell of the water. For a few hours, there are no worries in the world for me; nothing matters when I’m at the beach. The same thing goes for fresh tacos as well, but unfortunately the sensation doesn’t last long as the beach does. Specifically, soft shell beef tacos with lettuce and tomato.