So a little bit about me ….
My name is Michele and I am a single mom of a fantastic daughter. I’ve lived in Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Texas, Indiana, and Illinois. My favorite by far was Illinois…I lived in the great city of Chicago. The museums, the cultural diversity, Navy Pier, and Chicago Bears games are only a few of the fantastic things that make Chicago great.
I’m a former ballerina and I even studied under a dance Master who danced for the Queen of England.
My favorite pastime, besides spending time with my daughter, is scuba diving. I’ve been to Cozumel, Mexico twice for a couple of weeks. You could walk out your sliding door of the hotel room and in 20 steps you’d be standing in front of the ocean. I’ve also taken a couple of trips out to the Gulf of Mexico and stayed on a live-aboard for a week-and-a-half each time. I’ve seen a pod of hammerhead sharks with a dolphin swimming through them, a whale shark surfacing for air on a night dive, and I’ve swam alongside grouper fish that would easily outweigh a human and they were definitely larger. If I could have any dream trip wish granted, I would love to go to Australia and cage dive with great white sharks. They are the most amazing creatures. And yes, it’s a safe assumption that I have been watching Shark Week all week long! Ha ha!
I’m about two semesters away from completing my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology-Criminology. After that, I plan on applying to grad school and completing (at least) a Master’s in Sociology. I started out in the Pre-Radiation program, but Chemistry and Physics were just ……. WHAT?!?! I took a Sociology class as part of my general education requirements and I was hooked. I love learning and I enjoy being on campus with all of the 17-20-somethings. They’re just starting out and experiencing freedom and independence for the first time and that energy is infectious. As much as I love learning, I’m terrified for the day when I complete my academic goals, because as a 37-year-old mom I have no idea what it will be like, what the new job will expect, will they teach and guide me?? It’s scary, but exciting at the same time.
Some of my favorite classes that I’ve taken include Anthropology-Discoveries in Archaeology, all my sociology classes (obviously), Cherokee, and I’m looking forward to our Mythology & Folklore class.
I wish all of you a fantastic semester!!
-Michele
Bibliography
Bizzell Memorial Library: Web Source http://tinyurl.com/ojsu7q4
Scuba diving and sociology: what a fun introduction, Michele! And about sociology, I wonder if you have encountered my dad lurking in the bibliography of any of your criminology or sociological theory classes: Jack Gibbs. I never took a sociology class in college but I sure got a continuous dose of sociology while growing up and meeting all my dad's friends. He's retired now, but he still occasionally starts messing with crime statistics to see what correlations he can ferret out! And I am so glad about the Cherokee connection. I saw in another post that you already found Mooney's books at Sacred Texts... so many beautiful stories to read and ponder in that book (it's the one I used as the source for the Cherokee unit coming up later in the semester). I hope you will enjoy the class!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, you've gone so many places and done so much! I feel really under-talented right now, haha. I've only ever really been out of Norman or Broken Arrow for small trips to neighboring states, except for that large trip to NYC this last summer. That's as far away from home as I've ever been before. The Sociology is really neat, and I understand your feelings on science (part of the reason why I'm an English major :P). You're probably sick of this question, but are you looking to go into detective work with that? Slightly different one, what about writing? My best friend is currently writing a murder mystery novel and so consequently had to do enough research into criminology and serial killers that she probably could have graduated with a major in that instead of PR! I'm the opposite of that order of questions though - I got "Do you wanna go into law?" once and every other time it's "Oh.... so, you wanna be a writer?" with a heavy amount of disbelief.
ReplyDeleteWith all the nature stuff, you remind me of my brother. His dream is to go diving in the coral reef, but I'm sure he wouldn't object to great whites! Myself, I'm much more like your past with the arts. I'd rather see a play than animals any day and I think it's really impressive and remarkable that you've been so blessed with your ballet career - your teacher sounds amazing! Never did much with dance (except show choir) but I'm so clutzy I fractured my wrist tripping in a pothole so it's probably a good thing. I look forward to having class with you!
Hey Michele! Like Elizabeth said, I definitely feel under-talented compared to you. You have been to so many awesome places! I feel like the general public thinks that once you have a child, your life is practically over, but you are the exact opposite of that stereotype!
ReplyDeleteI went to Chicago over spring break last semester and fell in love with the city! I hope to see myself there one day. I love your adventurous personality. I will admit that I am a bit jealous because I love to travel, but I have not gone to very many places yet. Hopefully I can catch up to you one day. Anyway, great blog post! I really enjoyed reading it.
Man, you've had such an exciting life. I can't believe your instructor danced for the Queen! That's like romance novel stuff, not real life stuff! :) I'm sure once you're done with school you'll get everything figured out. You just seem like that kind of mature, responsible person who can get stuff done. Also I think it's awesome that you took a Cherokee class. Jealous!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great semester and I wish you and your daughter well!
Lily
Michele,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've had such an exciting life already! Just the fact that you have a desire to swim with the sharks says something about you. When I read about a scuba diver/ballerina dancer/college student/single mom, all I can say is you must be a rock star. I hope your studies in psychology go well and that you are able to make that trip to Australia soon and swim with those sharks!
Hello Michele,
ReplyDeleteWow! Sounds like you put my vacation stories to shame! I have only snorkeled a few times (my favorite was in the Bahamas), but I would love to learn how to scuba dive someday! In addition, I have always wanted to visit Chicago, many people have told me how amazing it is! I commend you on your bravery to swim with great white sharks, I would definitely not volunteer for that!
I admire how you are pursuing your goals while still being a mother, that takes a lot of hard work and dedication! I wish you luck, I'm sure you will succeed in whatever job you choose to pursue!
Hey there! I love seeing non-traditional students on campus! It always reminds me that people continuously evolve and grow! As an anthropology major, specializing in Archaeology, I am really glad to see that one of your favorite classes was Archaeology. It is a beautiful discipline! I seriously considered a minor in Sociology and Criminology! It is an awesome subject. I've always love Sociology theory and have found that it is one that is closely related to Anthropology! Also, I wanted to mention that when you take that dream trip to Australia you should definitely invite me because I would love to swim with the Great White Sharks and of course watch Shark WEEK!!! Hope your semester is off to a great start!
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle! It's so cool that you love scuba diving. I've never done that but I have went snorkeling a few times and even that was amazing! I went to Australia once and snorkeled at the reef while I was there. It loved it so much. The beaches there are so great too. I'm sure the cave diving would be so amazing. It's also really cool you are taking Cherokee. I don't think I've talked to anyone who has been in that class, but I think it'd be fun to learn.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, it sounds like you're quite the cool mom. I must admit, however, that I wish you wrote more about your life as a former ballerina! Dance is one of the few things with which I haven't gotten my feet wet. Since you mentioned the dance master you studied under, I'll share a little story involving the Queen. I have a mentor who's a retired US Army Major General, and he was once the aide de camp for the Queen. At one point, she asked him where he was from, and he replied, "Madill, Oklahoma."
ReplyDeleteHer response?
"Is the state as pretty as the song?"
In my opinion, it takes a class act to be aware of Oklahoma's existence in the USA. Anyway, I just thought I'd share a bit! Take care!
Hello Michele! My name is Anthony! I think it is so cool that you are a mom with a daughter and still doing to school at the same time! It seems like that could be a lot of stress, but I'm sure you've had your ups and downs. Congrats on Graduating in a few semesters I hope everything goes well.
ReplyDeleteQuestion. Have you ever taken the class Social Problems? I took that class last year and I think that it is such and interesting class you might be interested in.
Hey Michele! I think that it is wonderful to see students on campus with an atypical age. I have found in my four years here at OU that the individuals who are over the age of thirty are usually the best ones to do group projects with. You all have so much more life experience to share and I can always tell that you all are more determined and driven to do well in school than some of the folks who went to college straight out of high school and have mom and dad paying all of the bills! Best of luck with completing your degree!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about all of your travels and adventures as well as your dream trip (cage diving?! wahhh! How cool would that be!) The thing that stood out most to me, however, is that you're a single mom and you're managing to get all of this stuff done! My hat is definitely off to you because I have a hard time just managing me and my schedule. So yeah, you're pretty much killing it is what I'm hearing. I can totally understand how you got hooked on Sociology. I took the class online last semester and it was so interesting! I wish I could take more! Good luck with everything. I know you'll be super successful in whatever you find because you're already kicking butt at the hard part!
ReplyDeleteHello Michele! I can't believe you have lived in so many places. I've only lived in Oklahoma and Texas. I do have a friend that lives in Chicago and he loves it there. My girlfriend talks about scuba diving all the time and how great it is. Maybe one day I will be able to try it. Australia is the one place I want to visit the most. Not to cage dive with Great Whites but I would consider doing that. Congratulations on making it this far and good luck on the rest of your college journey.
ReplyDeleteMichele, I got so excited reading your introduction because I’m from Indiana and I’ve spent my fair share of time in Chicago as well! Illinois itself isn’t much to write home about and I HATE driving through it, but Chicago is the best. It’s really cool that you are a former ballerina, dancing is one thing I will never claim to be talented at doing. Also, your scuba diving experiences sound really impressive! I am jealous! Hope your semester is going well!
ReplyDeleteMichele, I have read some really interesting introductions in this class but yours is so cool! I love reading about all of the places you have traveled and the things that you have seen. That is so inspiring to me and is making me want to travel the world even more! I'm sure you have heard this before but it is seriously awesome that you are finishing up your education and planning on getting a masters and your a mom! I could not imagine going to school and having obligations to someone else. Good luck with everything!
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous that you have lived in so many places. I was born and raised in Oklahoma, and have never lived anywhere else. I love ballet, I think it is such a gorgeous art. I have always wanted to scuba dive, my aunt is a certified scuba diver and she loves it! I am a Criminology major, too! I am actually president of the Soc/Crim Club.
ReplyDelete