Sara Behind the Blog
Seeing as how I’m still down for the count (but rocked a parent presentation last night!), I thought I’d share some fun facts/quirks about myself.
Side note: I got asked for a bio and professional headshot for a feature from a university (read here!) This is the closest thing I found to a headshot. I should put that on my to do list once I’m well.
- My staff affectionately (and not so affectionately) refer to me as Mama Gator, Head Gator, and just plain Gator. This has a lot to do with how I unapologetically pursue college access. It doesn’t bother me a bit. I even have my own emoji.
- I hate running. Sometimes I view it as a necessary evil (HIIT)… in which case, I will usually jack up the speed on the treadmill to impossible speeds to make it end faster. I’ve always wanted to become a runner. I never will be a runner.
- I have a degree in Petroleum Engineering. I was one of 5 girls in the department. I carried a pink messenger bag, wore dresses to class, and epitomized all things girly. You think Elle Woods didn’t belong at Harvard law? You didn’t see Sara in engineering school.
- I have been actively doing community service on my own since I was 10-years-old. Helping others is a HUGE part of my being, and I’m so grateful that I landed in a career that allows me to do exactly that. All day. Every day.
- My husband and I have streamlined our daily lives in such a way that we can rarely find things to improve. (I, however, can always improve on streamlining my work. It’s an ongoing battle.) One way that we’ve done this is to minimize our wardrobe choices. My husband has three outfits. I’m not quite there, but I’m close. Laugh away, but it has helped clear the clutter of my mind.
- I am most comfortable when I’m wearing a dress. I’ve gotten into the habit of wearing casual clothes to the office if I don’t have meetings, but I always feel like I’m pretending. I generally need to be wearing a dress to feel like I’m ready to start the day.
- I get really nervous before presentations, but once it’s game time, I’m completely on. I love presentations. I gave a parent presentation last night, and it made me wonder why I can’t just give presentations every day. I think that could actually improve college access… because I’m pretty sure there’s not a question I can’t answer. Do you know how weird that sounds? I’m an expert… in college admissions.
- I am annoyed by aggressive drivers. I don’t think I’m ever in so much of a hurry that I need to cut anyone off, flip them off, or make them uncomfortable with my driving. I hate it when people do that to me.
- When I get anxious or nervous (read: before presentations), I’ll pop my earphones in and jam out to music. Sometimes that’s Disney music, other times it’s Eminem’s Lose Yourself (because I think I’m tough? Idk…), and sometimes it’s T-Swift’s Shake It Off… either way, I’d probably be embarrassed if you grabbed my earphones to see what I was jamming to.
- I’ve been trying to practice mindful meditation for the last six months. I’ve heard that it can decrease your stress level and retrain your brain. The problem is… I erupt into giggles halfway through. Maybe it’s an inability to be comfortable with my own thoughts, but I just can’t ever get past the giggles.
In other fun news, this weekend I rediscovered the “blog” (live journal) I had throughout college. There may be some fun #TBT posts coming your way. In spite of all my angst, I was insightful occasionally. I also made myself laugh with a series of passive aggressive emails sent to the group for one of my senior projects (who refused to meet or do work. Hrmph.)…. which, you guessed it, are chronicled on the blog.
I would rather do anything else in the world than a presentation.
I also love dresses and overall feel the best in them.
I would have loved to see you in engineering school, I bet that was fantastic and you crushed the boys. Girls can do everything. And in heels.
I want to wear dresses every day, I think I’m going to start doing that. I just never feel comfortable in pants, I need to phase them out of my wardrobe.
Oh girl, I bet your pink accessories & dresses did stand out in engineering school but I think that’s fabulous!! 3 outfits?! Wow. I’ve minimized my wardrobe a lot and it really does help me get out the door faster. Once i get to my goal weight I’ll be able to do this more but I need a few more options right now while I’m in between sizes!
I always start to dose off when I meditate because I relax too much!
I love the gator nickname – what an awesome reputation to have on your team!
I’m with you on running!! Tyler is a huge runner (4 marathons since we’ve gotten married!) and I’ve tried so many times and it’s just not happening. Now if only Zumba were as impressive as marathon-ing…
“You think Elle Woods didn’t belong at Harvard law? You didn’t see Sara in engineering school.” – totally LOLed at this part!
I think your walrus impression should be added to this list. 🙂
These facts also just prove what I’ve always known about you – go getter with a big heart and a great sense of humor!
Sara in engineering school might just be my favorite thing ever. Please bring back some TBT posts!
I’ve reduced my wardrobe to 30 things and I LOVE it. The less decisions I have to make, the better.
My sister is an electrical engineering major and I think there’s less than 20 girls in the whole major at Penn State!
Wow you have an awesome degree and made sure to show the rest girls can exceed too. I’m the opposite of you with clothing, while I like dresses for parties and social gatherings, I always wear dress pants and cute (collared) shirts to work. The office is usually freezing so I can’t do dresses or skirts. lol
Love and appreciate how much time you put into philanthropy….I enjoy doing the same and with my new job we focus on the Wheelchair Foundation to provide mobility to people around the world among other local charities.
Okay the thing about you in engineering school made me crack up! Too funny! I hate aggressive drivers too. It is snowing here today and at an intersection a pickup truck FLEW by me. Never mind that there have been a bunch of fatal crashes because the roads are so bad. Do you ever run outside? I used to absolutely HATE it, but I feel like nothing clears my mind better than a run outside where I am not timing myself and can enjoy the scenery 🙂
I love this so much! You are awesome to put it simple, Sara! And how lucky are all those students that you work so passionately to help! 🙂
We share a lot of similarities! I’m definitely a dress person, not a runner, am all about simplifying things (still a work in progress but moving in the right direction!) and aggressive drivers are just unnecessary. I had some headshots taken at work recently and I look awful in every.single.one. Yours is lovely! Share your secrets??!
Congrats on rocking your presentation, and I love how you were the Elle Woods of your program! Pure amazingness! Feel better gurlie <3
Green Fashionista