mandaloo

when i moved right before my senior year, i was really upset. but one thing that made it more bearable is that i became part of a really neat youth group. i had aways lived in small towns, where the words “youth group” were laughable.  i was lucky if it was “youth few.”  most of the times, i was the only latter-day saint in my school. and in some ways, it didn’t bother me because it gave me time and trials to have some powerful faith-building experiences.  there are tons of misconceptions about my faith and uninformed people seem to be more concentrated in small towns for some reason.  i was able to learn about the faith of those around me and had many opportunities to dispel stereotypes.

that being said, moving to a large city with a great youth group was a welcome change. one of my youth leaders really made an impact on me. right when she met our group, she had us all fill out a super long survey about ourselves. and she didn’t just file it away and never look at it again. i could tell from subsequent conversations that she had really taken time to get to know me. when it was my birthday, she would have a basket filled with my favorite things.  her lessons were always insightful and honest.  she was open about her life and past decisions.  she genuinely cared about each and every one of us.  i’ll never forget her or her impact.

this particular youth leader and i have stayed in close contact since we met seven years ago. she’s an amazing lady and i enjoy our friendship tremendously. today, after my 11-hour workday, i found a pleasant surprise in my mailbox… a fat envelope from my past youth leader. when i removed the papers, i immediately knew what it was – it was the survey i had filled out when i was 16 or so.  she included a note saying that she had found it in her paperwork and thought i would enjoy having it.

just for fun, i have decided to post it just because it’s neat to see how much i have (and haven’t) changed in the last seven years…

background

favorite class:  anatomy/physiology
least favorite class:  pre calculus
clubs i’m in:  last year, i was in interact club (service projects), math league, future homakers of america, national honors society, and i was the representative for the career and technology department

favorites

color:  yellow, yellow, yellow!
number:  two
hobby:  music, writing, philosophy
game:  othello
sport to play:  no coordination
magazine:  seventeen, national geographic
book:  the house on mango street
tv show:  anamaniacs
cartoon character:  larry the cucumber
movie:  contact
movie stars:  meg ryan, john travolta
type of music:  punk and some ska
music group:  mxpx, blink 182, nofx, less than jake
song:  “let it happen” by mxpx
instrument i play:  used to play oboe, trying to teach myself some piano
language i speak:  english; took 3 years of french
celebrity i’m most like:  none come to mind
store:  one with a great sale
brand of clothes:  just whatever fits – i’m not into brands
make-up:  mary kay (my mom sales it)
perfume:  i like body splashes – especially apple ones
holiday:  good ‘ol christmas
season of the year:  fall
cookie:  chocolate chip – can’t outdo a classic
candy bar:  hershey’s cookies ‘n mint
soda pop:  ibc root beer
snack food:  bread (especially wheat bread)
cereal:  never eat breakfast but i guess frosted flakes
pizza:  pepperoni
type of food:  italian
place to eat:  outback steakhouse
meal of the day:  supper time
time of the day:  free time – whenever that may be
activities:  hanging with my friends; concerts; writing poetry
scripture:  2 nephi 2:11
scripture story:  christ’s atonement

more personal

favorite thing to do:  my quiet time – i’ll write or read
thing that bugs me to no end:  hypocrites and people that think they know everything
if i had an hour of free time, how would you spend it:  write a poem while listening to music
neatest thing i ever did:  volunteer for the special olympics
weirdest thing i ever did:  chase geese with my friends
strangest thing i ever ate:  live oyster
5 adjectives that describe you:  sensitive, intelligent, down-to-earth, diligent, open-minded
how would your friends describe you to someone who has never met you:  mandy is a trust worthy person that you can depend on and she’ll drop everything to listen to you.
what do you think about yourself:  i’m a perfectionist in a lot of ways and am hard on myself.  I have many flaws but i try to make up for them by improving my other internal characteristics.
5 of your strengths:  loyal, good listener, intelligent, fun, caring
5 of your weaknesses:  not always patient, uneasy with change, hate the heat, shy at first with people, unfocused at times
things you want to improve on:  i always want to continue developing and improving my relationship with god.
personal accomplishments that i have completed:  straight A’s since 3rd grade; who’s who of american high school students for the last three years; earned 12 merit awards for school; i work at winn-dixie; had two poems published; perfect score on TAAS on all sections
what do you want to be when you grwo up:  a mother (as for a college major, i have no idea)
college you want to attend:  undecided but maybe tcu, unt, rick’s or acu
favorite temple:  salt lake
do you want to go on a mission:  maybe
if so, where:  anywhere is spiffy by me
do you want to get married:  of course
if so, do you want to have children:  yep
how many:  four
places you want to visit:  alaska; church historical sites (salt lake)
where i want to go on vacation:  alaska
in 5 years, i will be doing:  i’ll be in college and have a better idea of what life’s about
in 10 years, i will be doing:  hopefully, i’ll be a supportive wife and have a kid(s)
in 20 years:  who knows?  probably finishing raising the last bit of my flock of children.  maybe i’ll have a book published by then.
goals that mean a lot to you that you want to accomplish:  graduate college; temple marriage; go to alaska; be a great mom; enjoy whatever it is i’m going to do; get to heaven
how do you feel about your family:  we have our differences, but i love them
favorite thing about your dad:  he acts like a kid sometimes – we can rough house and wrestle
about your mom:  she knows me so well (perhaps too well)
who are you closest to:  i don’t know – probably my dad because he is more laid back about some things.