My Me Map January 14, 2010

Norris, Amy

Me Map

When telling someone about yourself it is hard to think of where to begin. As humans we are such complex creatures, having so many aspects to who we are, our personalities, our likes and dislikes, how we act around different people, it is hard to just pick a few characteristics to share when really there is so much more to what makes a person who they are. An individual’s life experience as well as their genetic traits and the environment does help in the shaping of who a person is.  As I began thinking of what I would like to share, there were a million thoughts that came to mind, but I had to narrow it down leaving just a few things to try and represent who I am and what makes me into the person I am. This includes my personality, the things I like and do not prefer as well as my physical characteristics. I began thinking about what do I want people to know about me, what of the things that have come to mind mean the most or are the most significant.

                What I like is such a broad question. There are so many things in this world that I like, people, nature, family, sunsets, the beach, animals (though not all), shopping, chocolate, all kinds of sweets, vacationing, traveling to new places, skiing, snowboarding, riding my bike, being told a story, drawing, the list is endless. I began narrowing it down, deciding on the four most important things that I like and things I really would not want to live without. I chose being crafty, it is a gift I have been blessed with.   I did not believe this for a long time even though I was told from an early age and continually through school and in other parts of my life. I thought everyone could do what I was doing. I love to have a creative outlet. It allows me to focus and to express myself as well as try new things. I have learned to crochet, paint, make pottery, embroider, weave baskets, sew, draw and scrapbook. I also love to bake and decorate cakes. I make birthday cakes for everyone and have a blast doing it. Along with many dreams I have, I would love to own my own pastry shop one day; I even have a name already. Another like or passion I have is shopping, like many women in our society. I love the whole experience and appreciating someone else’s creations: shoes, jewelry and purses are my guilty pleasures. The holiday season is one of my favorite times to shop, which leads me to my final like, holidays. I love to dress up for Halloween and spend time with friends. It is so fun to dress up and take on the persona of someone else for a night. I also really love Christmastime. I think it is magical still and I love decorating for these two holidays in particular. To represent this part of my life I am using a sequin mask and a Christmas carol themed book.

There is also the same to be said about the things in life I do not really care for. I try not to dwell on this aspect of my personality because it is more negative. I am particular with a few seemingly random things in life such as the way a bed is made and other things in which I have no control such as when I hear people pop or crack their bodies (knuckles, backs or necks). When thinking about what I wanted to share and also what would relate to my fourth grade classroom, I began thinking of what they are like and what they would be able to understand or find in common with me. I know for certain I could care less if I never saw a snake again. In second grade our pet snake bit my teacher, and ever since then I have had a fear and hate for snakes. For the activity, I am using a lizard as a metaphor for the snake. Another thing in life I could live without is people that are unkind. I work as a waitress, serving people, and it is amazing the people I encounter and how they treat others. What makes you or me better than anyone?  We are all here with the same purpose, to care for one another. Greed is also something that greatly bothers me.  Dislikes are not something I like to dwell on but upon reflection I also thought about how much I detest when I am sick. I do not like spending all day with tissues and vapor rub as my constant companions. I feel like I miss out on so much and I am usually sick at the most inopportune times. Along with being sick I also hate getting hurt. The final thing I thought of to include in my list of dislikes is petty but something that can get under my skin none the less. When I am in the restroom and see that either the toilet paper is out or to see that the roll is placed on the roller in the wrong direction. It bothers me to the extent that I have to change the direction before I leave. For me, the toilet paper has to unwind over the top of the roll. I know that is something that probably only annoys me, but that is what makes us unique right!         

Now since there has been a little insight into my personality, I thought I would share of my personality traits. When I first began this I did not know what to write. I am very different in different situations and around different people so it was very hard for me to narrow it down, so I asked people in my life with whom I am close if they could tell me what my personality is like to them. In a few words each of them told me different adjectives revealing different sides to me such as: aggressive, outgoing, likable, witty, intelligent, pleasing to others, good natured, attractive, sympathetic, charismatic, likable, charming, funny and energetic. Listening to this I do not see myself in the same ways others see me. I see myself more as a shy person, but upon reflection I think it is more when I am in class that part dominates, but not always. After talking with everyone, I decided to use the most popular or similar adjectives since most people saw that aspect of me. My personality is a lot of things, but some of the traits it has are that I am energetic, just like the energizer bunny and usually when everyone is tired, I am ready to keep going. I also am nurturing and caring. This is something that showed up early in my life as a trait. I loved to care for my little brother and referred to him as my baby. I still enjoy caring for others and their needs as well as animals. I am using a massage tool to represent my caring nature.  I can be quite witty, especially when around friends or people I am comfortable with such as the regular customers at work. I enjoy making people laugh or keep them on their toes. I also love a good joke or story including movies. I have to say comedies are among my quintessential movies, Dumb and Dumber is probably at the top of my list for the witty humor similar to my own. Finally the last aspect of my personality I wish to talk about is that I can be aggressive. Like a cat, I have an aggressive nature at times. If there is something that I want in life, I usually go after it whole heartedly. I also stand for what I believe in as well as for those I care for.

The last aspect of describing me includes my physical characteristics. At this point it would be an interesting game to mix up the papers of the classmates or read this to someone and have them draw or describe what they think the person previously described looks like. Well the four characteristics that came to my mind first was, I have sapphire blue eyes with a touch of beige in the middle around the pupil. Everyone in my family, all six of us, have blue eyes, but all are different shades. Mine are darker than most of my families so I am bringing a royal blue headband to represent my eye color.  Just like my mom, I have chestnut brown hair that is naturally curly, but I usually wear it straight, so I am using a brush to stand for my hair.  It is shorter now than it has ever been, last year I cut eight inches off. Another characteristic I think of when I think of how I look is that I am usually taller than most of the girls around me. I am five foot nine inches tall.  The final physical characteristic I think of is how I make dental hygiene an important part of my physical characteristics. I am using a tube of toothpaste because I brush my teeth at least two to three times a day and also make sure to floss, mouthwash and fluoride rinse. I also bleach my teeth once a year. I think it is important to take care of your mouth; you do not get any more teeth. I also think it is something that children today are not as aware of because the corrosive nature of sodas and even bottles left in cribs with babies. Starting when a child is young, forming good habits is so important. This  may be a more intimate look into my life than some would prefer, but this is my me map!

            After reflecting on who I am, it is really interesting noticing the difference in the way you see yourself and the way others view you. I also think that this activity will help others to remember you better, hopefully that you are not really strange, but that there are things about each of us that most would not know for one reason or another, but now may find things we share in common that would not have been imagined before. I think it is our uniqueness and characteristics that make the world such an interesting place, it would be a boring and bland place if we had all the same traits, personalities and characteristics.

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