The name is Lain, Avery Lain. I have been in a four-year-long battle with OU for a petroleum engineering degree, and I can confidently say that I am going to win this battle once and for all come May. You could say I am a nerd, because I actually enjoy calculus and chemistry. Whether or not it's a euphemism, I just call myself unique. The world needs people like me, and the world needs people like you!
My family has lived in three cities since I have been in college, so telling people where I am from has gotten complicated. I graduated from Aledo High School nearby Fort Worth, Texas. We then moved to Midland, Texas for a few years and this past May my parents settled down in Abilene, Texas. The only thing I can say confidently is that I am from Texas. I am from ALL of Texas. But as you may have derived from my previous post, I consider many places home.
When telling people about myself, I find that I never usually say the same things. Life is dynamic; I am dynamic. So today, I am introducing myself, but if you ask me again tomorrow my answer may very well be different. Do it, I dare you.
One thing that will not change, however, is my love for Jesus. If you don't know Him, I'd highly recommend it. Not the Jesus that a lot of people misrepresent, or the hate-filled Christians you see protesting and condemning sometimes. I am talking about the real Person of Jesus. He is easily my best friend, and I wouldn't have made it this far if it weren't for Him. Well, I guess you could argue I wouldn't have made it all all if it weren't for Him since He, you know, created me... but hopefully you're smelling what I'm stepping in here.
I love being outside. Like, a lot. I am hands-down a mountain person, although I can get down with the beach, too. Hiking, hammocking, kayaking, backpacking, biking, running, adventuring (which I just now decided is a word). I love it all.
Just to give you an idea of some crazy adventures I have had, here is a picture of me cooking with my newly made friend in Pemba, Mozambique:
Self-photographed in Mozambique June 2013.
I love the picture that Laura posted about mermaids today because I really do hate living in "shallow water" and have no fear of the "deep." Really, I am much more interested in what makes you "you" rather than what you had for lunch or how you are enjoying the weather (although there is of course, always time for a good foodies convo).
I love life; I really do. Joy is easy when you know the Guy who gives it, and honestly dreaming has become one of my new favorite pastimes. It turns out that I get the opportunity to move to The Woodlands, Texas after graduation, and you better believe I've been dreaming about the possibilities of that place. I enjoy people, and I enjoy learning. I try to live by the following philosophy:
Treat every person like a cherry. Think about it, when you eat cherries what do you do? You pop it in and spit out the cherry pit. Every cherry is different, but no matter what you spit out the pit. Some pits are bigger than others, of course, but you treat cherries the same. Every person has some good, and every person has some bad. I can learn from anyone. I 100% believe that there is something that each person knows better than me, and I can learn from that. I take it and keep it, and the parts of that person that aren't the best I just overlook them (spit it out) and love them anyways.
It's not the easiest philosophy to live by, but boy is it rewarding.
Anyway, today this is me and I can't wait to learn from ya!
Your take on life and people is an interesting one! Not a bad way of interesting, but interesting in that most people no longer think in such optimistic terms about everyone, nor consider them in such light. I also think your confidence in your Faith is awesome. Being outside is one of my favorite things as well; in fact for my graduation trip my younger sister and I are going on a two-week backpacking trip on a section of the Appalachian Trail. May, and graduation, could not get here soon enough!
ReplyDeleteI am a Texas girl also, Avery! My mom's family is from Midland (!), and my dad's family is from Brownwood, and I was born in Austin. We moved around a lot when I was a kid, but when my parents retired, they moved back to Austin, so now I have an excuse to go back there to visit... although it sure has changed since from when I was a little kid! Your philosophy of cherries works for places as well as for people: every place has its good and its bad, but I say enjoy every place for what it has that is good, just like the cherries! :-)
ReplyDeleteThat picture from Mozambique is FANTASTIC... I don't have a Mozambique unit in the class, but there are some great African reading units coming up. I hope you will enjoy them!!!
Hello Avery! Congrats on being so close to graduating! I am also graduating in May, so I completely understand the excitement you feel about it. Being outdoors is also one of my favorite things, with the mountains being my favorite place. I just feel like there is something special and beautiful about being on a mountain and looking down at everything that is created. Your picture from Mozambique is gorgeous! I think that would be such a wonderful experience, and I'm sure you have many more beautiful pictures. I also think your philosophy of cherries is wonderful; not many people view others in that way, but it's refreshing!
ReplyDeleteHey Avery, congratulations on being in your final semester! I too am graduating in May and am beginning to feel the stress of it all. I wouldn't say you’re a nerd for enjoying chemistry and calculus, I would say your blessed (this coming from someone who doesn't have much of an aptitude for math and sciences). Texas is a pretty big place to be from. I’m moving to Houston after graduation and haven’t quite decided whether or not I like Texas. I’m on the fence….tbd.
ReplyDeleteYour life sounds fun! Can’t wait to read some more of your posts ☺
Hey, Avery!! Congratulations on your final semester at OU! It's always encouraging to hear stories of people who do actually manage to stay on top of their degree and graduate on time, with all the super-seniors I tend to run into skewing my hopes of graduation, haha. I, too, love hiking and kayaking and "adventuring," and cannot wait to hear more about your experiences and your philosophies incurred through the stories and posts you write this semester! Congratulations again!!
ReplyDeleteHi, Avery! I so enjoyed reading your introduction. First off, congratulations on being almost done with your degree! I have major respect for you for majoring in petroleum engineering. Math has always frustrated me, so I admire anyone who has a good grasp on it. I loved the section on your faith. Jesus really is amazing, and life with Him in it is infinitely sweeter. I look forward to reading more of your posts!
ReplyDeleteHey Avery! I love the fact that we are in this class together and the fact we are almost done with college! No matter how terrifying that may seem, I know it will be great to be done with the classes and studying and all of that good stuff. I loved the photo of you in Mozambique! Especially with the headdress and the skirt! So glad to finish this last semester with you!
ReplyDeleteHi Avery! The end is near I can't believe it! So awesome that you already have a plan after graduation-jealous! Praise Jesus, I love that guy too! I love living in this area of America were we can easily boast that we love the Lord and that is pretty normal. The bible belt is great in that sense! Other areas of the US wouldn't handle that so well! Good luck with the rest of the semester!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely sound like an energetic, fun, happy person from your post! I love your optimistic view on people that you meet. It is quite refreshing to meet someone else who thinks that there is good in everyone and whatever is bad...just "spit it out" and go on with life. Congrats to you on this being your final semester in college! This is also my final semester at OU and I'll be graduating with a degree in Psychology. It's quite different from Engineering, but I have great respect for people who go into the Engineering field. My dad was an Engineer for American Airlines for 40 years. I've never lived in Texas, but have visited many times. I'm an Okie girl and have lived here all my life wither in Tulsa, Norman or Moore. Have fun in all of your future adventures and nice to meet ya!
ReplyDeleteHey Avery! When you first commented on my introduction about how much we have in common, I was pretty excited. I wrote you a "reply" underneath the comment, but I don't know if BlogSpot sent you a notification when I did that.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the picture you posted!! This makes me want to go to Mozambique myself.
One semester left . . . we can do it!!! Like you said, we are towards the end of our battle in the engineering department. It has been hard, but we have pulled through. Now, I know at least I need to fight of senioritis.
Hi Avery. The way you described yourself makes you sound pretty neat! I like that you love Jesus, and let him fill you with so much joy! I am also from Texas and left to come to OU, so we have that in common. Plus I love Jesus and being outdoors too, so I guess we have that in common. Not to mention I will be going to Mozambique this summer, so we will have that in common soon...
ReplyDeleteI guess what Im trying to say is we have A LOT in common, and...how do I say it? I'm just going to say it... I LIKE YOU! Will you be my girlfriend? ;)
PS. your profile pic makes you look like a hipster. i wish I could be lucky enough to stand next to you like that and hold your hand like that!
Well, I should start with Aledo. That is really cool that you went there; I bet you saw some great high school football there with Jonathan Gray and everyone else. I am from Flower Mound and have family that lives in Odessa. Also, it is nice to see someone who enjoys calculus and chemistry. I am a biochemist myself, but I enjoy dabbling in mathematics as well.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to meet you Avery. I must be a nerd as well, because I loved calculus when I took it. I actually love math, however, my major has no math involved. I was really impressed with your entire introduction. It really shows and explains who you are and has some great words of advice throughout. Since you love adventures, I bet you loved going to Mozambique.
ReplyDeleteAvery! This intro is awesome! Your love for God and people is apparent through your writing and so encouraging to read. I think it is awesome that you are going into a field that you love. I didn't realize so many cool people are from Aledo, there must be something in the water down there! Good luck in all you do, you are a difference maker!
ReplyDeleteHello Avery! I love that photo of you and your friend in Mozambique. I think it really does show your adventurous side. I also really love your view on the life being dynamic and how we are dynamic and we change. It's absolutely true that we are changing on a day to day basis. I wish you the best of luck in the rest of your final semester!
ReplyDeleteI've been here for 5 years and spent 4 of those in the petroleum engineering department. It's definitely been a challenge that's for sure. It will be rewarding to finally finish up! That reminds me, I should really get back to working on the capstone report due this Friday..
ReplyDeleteI love your explanation on how to treat people. I've never thought about it like that before. Very interesting!
Hi Avery! Such a nice philosophy of how to treat others. I appreciated that sentiment and am glad that you've adopted this outlook in your interactions with those around you.
ReplyDeleteIt's very cool that you enjoy calculus and chemistry! I do, as well, but I'm afraid I'll have to pass on the petroleum engineering degree.
Good luck in all your future endeavors!
Hey Avery. I will start off by saying congratulations on graduating in May. Especially with a petroleum engineering degree! Second, I immediately noticed your picture! I was in Southern Africa two summers ago and also went to Mozambique! We were only there for two days, but it was awesome. Anyways, good luck with all your goals after graduation.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome that you like math and chemistry! We really do need more people who have a good understanding on the subjects for sure! I am from Dallas Texas but some of my family on my father’s side live in Fort Worth. My mom went to TCU in Fort Worth years ago and loved the city. There is a barbecue place that is fantastic there called Angelo’s that we always eat at when we visit.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you Avery! Congrats on making it through the petroleum engineering degree program, I know that isn't easy at all! But it'll definitely pay off moving forward! I love your philosophy on people, sure everyone has some bad in them, but in nearly every person there is some good. Props to you for that!
ReplyDeleteHey Averi!
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that you enjoy calculus and chemistry so much. I wished I enjoyed chemistry and calculus as well; it might have made my freshman year at OU a little less stressful. The picture of you in Mozambique is so cool! It kind of makes me want to go there. Like you, I enjoy traveling. How long were you in Mozambique? And why were you there?
Hi Avery! It is very nice to meet such a positive person. I do not think I have ever heard anyone say that they love both chemistry and math, but I respect it. I think chemistry is pretty cool. Math is okay, but I do not love it. I think it is really cool that you have such a good outlook on life. I think you are right that there is a lesson in everyone. It can be hard to learn other lessons than others, but it is a better way to look at things. Anyway, I wish you well after graduation and moving to Texas. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHello Avery...I loved your introduction. I felt like it was gonna come through my computer screen and make sure I was paying attention. Of course if it did that, well then that would be a bit odd, and it is probably some cheesy plot for a Paranormal Activity script. I guess what I mean to say is your introduction is just full of energy. congrats on graduating this may, and it is just fine to tell people you are from Texas, they will understand that you made a huge mistake and are trying to correct it by coming to OU. JK. Also I think it is great that you have been able to travel to different places, I have never done that but it is on my bucket list. Well good luck on the rest of the semester and once again nice to meet you.
ReplyDeleteHi Avery! It’s nice to meet another person so fond of adventuring! I think your picture from Mozambique is just awesome. I’m incredibly jealous that you’ve been there! I’m impressed that you’ve stuck with petroleum engineering, AND you’ve got a job lined up after graduation. That’s awesome! I know I’m certainly excited to start a new adventure this May! Good luck!
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