True Self

It is easy to become overwhelmed with priorities and stress in the workplace. In the face of new and changing responsibilities, deadlines, and high expectations, there are often not enough hours in the day to strike a healthy work-life balance. While professional successes are worth striving for, it's important to remember that who we are work is not all we are.

Outside of work, I know my true self. My priorities include:

Family

I am a...

• Daughter - I enjoy visiting my parents at their new home in Florida at least once a year, and we talk once a week since they moved to keep in touch.

• Sister - My older sister and her family live locally, so we like to spend time together whenever we can. Holidays, weekend cookouts in the summer, and sometimes lending a hand with her art and business projects.

• Wife - My husband and I are often working on projects around our home, planning trips and discussing adventurous future travel plans, entertaining friends, taking care of our dog, and going on walks and nature hikes. I have a large and wonderful family-in-law as well, and we enjoy spending time together whenever we can.

Politics and Social Issues

I pay close attention to national news and current events. I'd like to be more knowledgeable on world events. I love history and often apply my knowledge of historical events to understand the sociopolitical events of today. It's my lens for recognizing social progress and advancement, drawing parallels for recurring issues, as well as identifying my concerns, priorities, and hopes for the future. I will admit I also find politics stressful. But, I feel it is essential to be informed as individuals make decisions about policy and legislation that impact us nationally, at the state level, and within local communities. I am an advocate for civil rights/human rights for all and advancement and access for K-12 and post-secondary education.

Compassion for Animals

Animals have always had my heart. Ever since adopting an American Bulldog mix from the SPCA in 2014, I've been an advocate for breaking down societal fears and stigma around pit-mixes and bully-breeds. I currently support local animal shelters by donating new items, participating in fundraisers, and showing my support through social media interactions and promotions. One unintended lesson learned from graduate school was recognizing how much "free time" I have when not actively in classes. I realized that once I've completed the program, I can incorporate more service and volunteering into my life on some evenings and weekends. I would love to become a volunteer for the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter and/or look into fostering dogs.

Reading

I also love reading a variety of genres. I'd like to spend more time reading for pleasure, which is difficult to do during the school year. A dear friend and colleague is publishing her fifth (!) fiction book this February and I'm thrilled to read her latest story over winter break. Writing is one of my main creative outlets, so I'd like to try maintaining some larger writing projects. If it doesn't work out, I will just continue to add to my "library" and keep reading!