Introduction to who I am
Something about me is that I was a competitive swimmer for over a decade. When I was little my parents took me out to the beach and it wasn't long before they noticed how much I loved the water. I absolutely enjoyed the water so much so naturally they put me through swim lessons. Before I knew it, I was spending my years competing constantly. My days consisted of non-stop eat-sleep-swim year round, and although I'd miss out on events here and there, I wouldn't have had it any other way. The end of my senior year in high school marked the end of my swimming career. I felt like it was time for me to change my own environment and focus more on school in college. I am grateful for all the years I was able to do what I love. My parents really invested so much into my hobbies and passions all those years, and it will forever be one of the greatest things they ever did for me.
Things I enjoy are watching TV shows, painting, and taking pictures. Some of my favorite TV shows are The Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl, and One Tree Hill. I find a lot of escapism and entertainment through shows. It sounds odd, but I feel connected through the characters that people have created. In addition, I also enjoy painting and photography. Now I am not the most amazing artist, but I have a lot of fun with channeling my emotions through a brush or through a camera lens. I often find it hard to communicate and articulate my thoughts to people, but when I am painting an image or capturing a moment, it is effortless--great forms for expression. All of these things bring me a sense of peace and stress relief. It's my kind of self-love and my kind of self-care.
Hi Kaelan! I definitely agree that college has been pretty strange during a pandemic, but we’re all going to get through this. Especially during these times, escapism through entertainment is necessary, and I’ll be sure to check out The Vampire Diaries. I’ve also been wanting to get into painting, and it’s really cool that it helps with expressing things that words can’t convey.
ReplyDeleteThat is so intense about having a life in the water like that which you set aside, Kaelan! I didn't really get a chance to follow my hobbies like that when I was little which is probably why I am so committed to finding time for my hobbies now as a grown-up... this year I decided to learn drumming, and I am having so much fun with that, and only driving my husband a little bit crazy with it (mostly I drum outside unless it is just too cold, ha ha). Maybe you will be inspired to do some painting and/or photography to use as illustrations for your stories in this class. One of my favorite things about writing for the Internet is being able to use images so easily together with the words. Children's books are full of illustrations, while so many books for grown-ups have no illustrations at all... but I think we deserve illustrations too! I find beautiful images so soothing: definitely a kind of self-care for me also, even more so when creating them (I like coloring books!). Creativity in any of its forms can be so soothing. :-)
ReplyDeleteHello Kaelan! It's so impressive that you used to be swimmer. I love those TV shows but I have recently submerged myself in Korean Dramas; So, I definitely recommend those! College has been so strange since the pandemic. I hope everything will work out for you in the end. I have been so isolated from my love ones that I feel very lonely sometimes. Definitely keep up with your self-care hobbies. It is something I need to start doing to better my mental health.
ReplyDeleteHi Kaelan! It's so cool that you have found ways to practice self-love and self-care. I definitely understand finding it hard to communicate what you're really thinking with people, so it's nice that you have found a way to do that. Also, one of my favorite TV shows is Gossip Girl too! My mom and I binge-watched the whole show a couple of years ago. I loved Chuck and Blair's relationship so much (even though it was very toxic). Hope you have a good semester, even though we are still dealing with the pandemic, and that you have the chance to have a normal college experience before you graduate!
ReplyDeleteHello Kaelin, I spent most of my summers growing up at the pool because my mom managed a pool for several years. Then when I was old enough I became a lifeguard and guarded for 5 years before coming to college, so I really enjoy swimming and being in the water. I also think it is super cool that you are an artist and are able to express your creativity throughout your creations. I hope this semester treats you well and good luck in the future!
ReplyDeleteHey Kaelin! Your swim career sounded so rewarding and that is amazing that you got to excel at something you loved so much! Your love for art stood out a lot in your introduction and that is amazing that you have found something to channel those difficult to express thoughts. My sister uses painting in a similar way and creates some of the most beautiful paintings! I hope to see some of your work in the future!
ReplyDeleteHi Kaelin! I agree with you that college has been strange during a pandemic! One Tree Hill is also one of my all time favorite shows. I watched it for the first time a few years back but I am thinking about rewatching it again because I love it so much! I relate with you on feeling connected through the characters that people have created.
ReplyDeleteHi Kaelan! I can totally relate to using art as a form of catharsis/ stress relief! This was one of the primary things that drove me to major in voice. I am also pre-health, but I could not imagine a world in which I cannot make music. I truly think that without music (and the creativity/empathy/catharsis) that comes with it, I would make a worse physician.
ReplyDeleteHi Kaelan! I can totally relate to using art as a form of catharsis/ stress relief! This was one of the primary things that drove me to major in voice. I am also pre-health, but I could not imagine a world in which I cannot make music. I truly think that without music (and the creativity/empathy/catharsis) that comes with it, I would make a worse physician.
ReplyDeleteHi Kaelan! I was also a competitive swimmer growing up, and I swam on a club team for almost a decade, and swam for the high school team for 3 years. I honestly miss the daily grind too of rushing to practice after school every single day, and then either going to morning practice on the weekend or competing in a two-day meet. It was exhausting but was definitely a fun time, and not being an active athlete anymore is a bit of a bummer.
ReplyDeleteHey Kaelan!
ReplyDeleteI am also majoring in psychology; I plan to graduate in December. I think that is amazing that you were a competitive swimmer. I have always wanted to learn how to swim. I was going to learn over the summer, but plans changed when COVID came into our lives. I never was able to go to activities or events because my parents were constantly busy with work. The Vampire Diaries is really good. If you like that, then I would recommend The Originals and Legacies. I love painting as well. My favorite is to work with acrylic.
Hey Kaelan, I like the filter and editing you used on the blog picture. You said you were into photography and it shows! I am also from Oklahoma (Edmond) so it is cool to see that you stayed in state and came to OU. I also watch a lot of shows in my free time to try and ease the stress of school, especially during the pandemic when there was nothing else to do.
ReplyDeleteHi Kaelan,
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool that you were a competitive swimmer. I got into swimming when I was little but I grew out of it so quick because it was difficult to compete against people that trained really hard. I love photography as well and I can totally see that each photograph can drive from our emotion and it is true that sometime we can't express our emotion and photograph is there to aid us with that
Hi Kaelan,
ReplyDeleteI was personally not a member of a swim team, but I had friends that were which allowed me to go to swim meets. I thought they were so entertaining and required so much physical ability! I am glad that your parents allowed you to continue doing what you loved and supported you. For me, that was being a part of music. I am also glad that you have found a form of something that you find relieving. In times especially like this, we all need to care for ourselves as much as possible.
Hi Kaelan!
ReplyDeleteI like you find it crazy and very different that we are going through college through such crazy times, but I think slowly we are all beginning to adjust. I also love The Vampire Diaries and Gossip Girl. In fact, I love Gossip Girl so much that I have seen it six times lol. I unlike you am not a swimmer, but I do love going to the pool and especially the beach. I hope that you have a safe and well rest of your semester.
Hi Kaelan! I find it so cool that you were a competitive swimmer for over a decade! I ama glad that you enjoyed your competitive swimming career! It is very nice to hear that you had a passion and wouldn’t want it any other way. I also really enjoy painting and photography! It is a capture of the moment! Have an amazing semester ahead of you!
ReplyDeleteHi Kaelan,
ReplyDeleteI find it so cool that you were a competitive swimmer. I know that swimming is a good workout, and is something I have tried to do as well but completely failed at it. I have also never seen any of the TV shows, but have heard a lot of good things about them. I hope you enjoy the rest of your semester, and the rest of the time in college.
Hi Kaelan,
ReplyDeleteI love what you said about your time swimming in school; a lot of people would feel like they are missing out on being a teenager when they are so focused on things like swimming, but when you're passionate about something, it doesn't really feel like you're missing out on anything. You are doing what you love. But, I am glad you decided to change your pace when you started college and spend time focusing on school and having fun in college. It's all good that you're not the best artist. Neither am I, but I still love drawing anyway because it is a creative outlet for me. Enjoy the rest of your time in college! It may be not be what you expected right now, but from what I have learned about you, I am sure you will make the most of it anyway.
Hello Kaelan.
ReplyDeleteI think it is really cool that you enjoy swimming. I also enjoy swimming a lot. Whether it is at a pool or if it is on the beach. However, I do not think I could ever enjoy it enough to compete like you did. Although I think that it is cool you did compete. I also think that it is cool that you like to paint especially since you use it as a way to channel your inner emotions. I hope you have a great rest of your sophomore semester.
Hey Kaelan!
ReplyDeleteI couldn’t imagine starting out college and having to go through a pandemic the same year. I’m sure it’s been an interesting experience. I’m not sure that I would have received most of the opportunities I did if I wasn’t on campus my freshman and sophomore year. I hope that you’ve been able to find some opportunities of your own during the pandemic and if not that you will once things open back up!
Hey Kaelan!
ReplyDeleteYour experience with Swimming was very similar to mine with baseball. I stopped towards the end of high school and started only focusing on academics. It was definitely strange not doing sports for awhile but I got used to it. I also like to paint (even though I am not good). I agree that it is a great way to express yourself. Hope the rest of your semester goes well!
Hey Kaelan!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the TV shows, I get emotionally attached to some characters and I hate when a series or show ends because I feel like the character's lives continue on, I just don't get to see it, if that makes any sense haha. I'm also kind of like that with books and when I get so invested into it and it just ends, I literally don't know what to do. I hope your semester is going great and I can't wait to read some of your stories!
Hey Kaelan,
ReplyDeleteI used to play table-tennis growing up and was very passionate about it, but like you, I kind of stopped playing towards the end of high school. It was weird because it was my only major hobby but then slowly I found other things I liked. Good luck with the rest of the semester! I hope to read your stories!
Hello Kaelan! Very neat that you were a competitive swimmer for so long. I would be interested to know more about that, sounds very intriguing. I noticed you also mentioned that One Tree Hill is one of your favorite shows. My girlfriends loves it and drags me into rewatching the same episodes often haha. Good luck on your upcoming finals!
ReplyDeleteHi Kaelyn! It is nice to meet you, even if it is the very end of the semester. I hope this class was fun and let you learn some neat stuff. I could not imagine how I would have felt if one of my first years at university took place during this pandemic. You have very good taste in TV shows, I will give you that! I hope that finals go well and you have an amazing time during your next couple of years at OU!
ReplyDeleteHey Kaelan! I was also a competitive swimmer, although not for nearly as long as you (and you'd never know it, nowadays) - there was so much snacking involved in that, I was not prepared for the hunger. Anyway, I'm glad you're getting to pursue psychology and it's super great that you get the stress relief from art...that's really the important part, enjoying it. Good luck with your finals and everything!
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