The One with Thing 9

*I was going to add pictures to this post but since my computer monitor is still AWOL I'll just have to do without.

List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.

1.   My parents.  How could anybody write a list of people who influenced them and not start it off with their parents?  Mom and Dad’s examples are huge reasons why I am the person I am today.  Or at least the person I’m trying to be.

2. My brothers (I feel like it’s cheating to just list all my siblings, I’d get to ten way too fast).  One has taught me what to do and what to look for in a husband and the other has set a better example of what not to do.  Still, they’ve both had influences on my views and opinions.

3.  My sisters.  They’ve taught me patience, kindness, French braiding, perseverance, Gibberish and optimism.  I think I’m really lucky to be the youngest and learn from my older siblings.

4.   Justin, obviously.  He’s not first simply because I’ve known him much shorter than my family.  Justin is one of the most patient, calm people I’ve ever known.  He is so extremely loyal and kind.  I consider myself a pretty practical person but there are times when he points out how absolutely ridiculous and emotional my reaction to something is and puts life back in perspective.  This is usually accomplished by him reminding me that I’m on birth control.  He’s taught me how to mountain bike and ski and how absolutely amazing it is to go through life with a true partner by my side.  I chose wisely.

5.  My former teachers/professors.  This is another big group that I could easily list individually.  Senora Jurado was my favorite teacher in high school (she obviously taught Spanish).  She really pushed me to do my very best and believed that I could do things I didn’t have the faith in myself to even try.  In college, Dr. Armstrong took notice of me in an analytical course and helped me get involved in undergrad research and go to grad school.  It’s really encouraging when someone at his level takes you under their wing.  Dr. Aspinwall and Dr. Pollard were also very encouraging and helped me realize that I was capable of more than I originally thought.

6. Kara McEuen & Misha Greer.  Kara is my oldest friend.  I think we met when we were 3 years old.  I honestly don’t remember ever fighting with her, at least nothing that lasted more than 5 minutes.  Misha was my first roommate in college and later we lived together in SLC.  She’s the only friend I’ve ever been roommates with and not had it damage our friendship.  These girls have shown me what a true friend is.  Literally through thick and thin, good times and bad, they have been there for me.  And even though we now live in different states and even opposite sides of the country I know that the next time we get together it’s going to be like no time has passed at all.

7. Ok, I cheated again.  I only got to number 6 but that is already more than 10 people!  The hard thing is there isn’t just one person that I think “I want to be like blank.”  I wish I had certain aspects of a lot of people’s personalities and that’s why I keep them around.  A few more people on that list: my Utah girls- Jane, Bailey, Meg, Camille, Lindsay and Lacey, and Andrea Krause (I'm so lucky that my husband's best friend's wife (did you follow that?) is one of my friends too!).  Hopefully some day you all rub off on me.