Introduction to A Crazy Cat Lady
(Image Information: Cat Selfie)
My name is Ann Marie.
Here are some facts about me:
I am 19 and currently pursuing a dual degree in Linguistics and French at OU.
I love books, and consider myself a crazy cat lady.
I am passionate about women's rights and LGBTQ rights.
I work as a server in a restaurant, and though my job is mentally taxing, it can also be fun.
Here are some facts about me:
I am 19 and currently pursuing a dual degree in Linguistics and French at OU.
I love books, and consider myself a crazy cat lady.
I am passionate about women's rights and LGBTQ rights.
I work as a server in a restaurant, and though my job is mentally taxing, it can also be fun.
(Image Information: Books, 2010)
Some of my favorite authors are J.K. Rowling (duh), Jane Austen, the Bronte Sisters, Cassandra Clare, and Rick Riordan. I've been especially into Rick Riordan lately! This summer, I decided to reread the Percy Jackson series. From there I could not stop. I have since read and reread every YA book he has out, and I am also following his Rick Riordan Presents imprint series, in which he reads and edits YA mythology books by other authors, and then adds them to the Rick Riordan Presents collection, allowing new or relatively unknown authors to be put in the spotlight. I think this is awesome because it is providing a lot of opportunities for minority authors!
(Image Information: My Cat, Purple; photo from 2013.)
(Image Information: My Cat, Simon; photo from 2016)
As you might be able to tell, I really adore cats. I think they are fantastic creatures and I honestly just want to be surrounded by them for my whole life. I have always loved cats and I have had many cats in my life. The most cats I have ever had at once was seventeen (they were outside cats)! Sadly, at the moment, I am living without a cat. Since moving out of my parents' house I have had to live with roommates, and unfortunately, my roommates don't want cats!
(Image Information: Some of My Cats; Photo from 2015)
I am passionate about feminism, activism, women's rights, LGBTQ rights, etc. because it's close to my heart. I am a minority myself and have experienced way too much sexism, racism, and homophobia in my life. I hope to influence others around me to be more open-minded and kind with their words.
I hope you have enjoyed getting to know me. If we have anything in common, feel free to let me know in the comments! Or if you are a reader and want to talk about books, you can leave a comment listing some of your favorites.
Thanks for reading!
-Ann Marie
I am passionate about feminism, activism, women's rights, LGBTQ rights, etc. because it's close to my heart. I am a minority myself and have experienced way too much sexism, racism, and homophobia in my life. I hope to influence others around me to be more open-minded and kind with their words.
I hope you have enjoyed getting to know me. If we have anything in common, feel free to let me know in the comments! Or if you are a reader and want to talk about books, you can leave a comment listing some of your favorites.
Thanks for reading!
-Ann Marie
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Hello Ann,
ReplyDeleteIt was great to read through your introduction post. Your majors are very unique. That is super fascinating! Mexican food is by far my favorite so it is super cool that you work at a Mexican restaurant. Also, super cool that you like cats. I am more of a dog person, but cats are cool too.
Best of luck this semester!
-Andy
Hello!
ReplyDeleteLinguistics is such an interesting major, and one that I find really impressive, personally (I'm terrible at learning languages!). I have a ton of respect for people who choose a major that forces them to learn one (or more) languages, and even more so for someone who picks up a full major in that language.
Cats are the greatest creatures and best jerks ever. I grew up with a little brat of a cat who's aged into a grumpy old man, but now I live with my roommate and his cat, who is the whiniest but sweetest boy out there.
Also, I'm glad you have a passion for issues at the forefront of the modern conversation. In a time with so much misinformation and vitriol, it's good to stand for what you believe.
I'm interested to see what you'll create this semester!
Gage R.
Hey Ann Marie!
ReplyDeleteSounds like college has been insanely busy for you. I admire you for holding down a job while at the same time being so focused on your education! Also, that’s a ton of cats haha. I’m a dog fan myself, but none the less, I love animals as they have always been a big part of my life. Best of luck as you pursue your degree here at OU!
- JD
Hey Ann Marie!
ReplyDeleteIt is always impressive when a busy college student is able to hold down a job and still succeed on campus. I own a dog who loves to chase cats so I myself can't own one; however, they are really sweet animals and I love how you cared for as many as 17. I think that shows how much compassion you have.
Hi Ann Marie!
ReplyDeleteI bet linguistics and French are really fun - I took the intro to linguistics class and I loved it, I wish I'd had time to take more of those classes. I also took about six weeks of a French class after high school but tragically all I remember is "le vache" and the names of some countries. Oh well.
I love that you're focused on feminism and LGBTQ+ issues, I agree that they're incredibly important!
Also, some of my fave books are The Snow Child and Alone in Berlin - check them out!
I am crazy about cats too, Ann Marie! When I was in junior high school, I worked in the cat shelter at the Humane Society, and I was fascinated by all the cats, how different they were from each other, all so pretty and with their own personalities. Even if you cannot have your cats with you right now, you could add some cats to the Pets Padlet: that picture of Simon in the tree is especially adorable (my cat likes to climb trees but she just climbs up, scratches scratches scratches like the tree was her own personal scratching post, and then she comes right back down). Anyway, here's the "Pet Padlet" -- Padlet Tech Tips, which is a fun way to do an extra credit Tech Tip thing... and maybe you will do a cat project for class!
ReplyDeleteAnd I read a book in that "RR Presents" series which I absolutely loved: Aru Shah and the End of Time: A Pandava Novel by Roshani Chokshi. Have you read that one? I preordered the sequel; it's coming out in April! It's inspired by the Indian epic Mahabharata that I teach in the MLLL-4993 class; I always thought those epics could provide a great basis for a YA novel, and now Roshani Chokshi has done exactly that! If you have read it / read it, let me know what you think!
I absolutely adore Aru Shah! Can't wait for the sequel to come out!
DeleteHello Ann Maire! Let me just say WOW I absolutely adore all your cats, I can't believe you had so many at one point! I definitely am a cat lady too, but sadly my roomates also don't allow me to have one at the moment. I will be graduating in May and plan to get my own cat then! I'd really like to get a bengal cat and go hiking with it! It's awesome to hear how much of an activist you are. I, too, feel really strongly about every group you mentioned and do my part for their rights. Being in Oklahoma, it's not easy to be a minority, but I've met some really amazing people here at OU that are fighting for what we all deserve. I can't believe you only just now read Rick Riordan! He was one of my favorite authors growing up, but sadly I don't read as much as I used to. I'm a chemistry major so much of my time is spent studying or writing lab reports. It was so nice getting to meet you, and I can't wait to see what else you'll contribute this semester! :)
ReplyDelete-Moriah C.
Hey Ann Marie! A couple things here- props to you for keeping up with the food service job. Being a server in a college town is not east, especially while double-timing it with being an actual college student. I worked at the Mont for a while, but in the kitchen, and even that was pretty tough. I remember being in awe of all of the waitresses who were able to keep up with school with those hours. Great book choices, the Brontes can WRITE. Looking forward to reading your stuff.
ReplyDeleteHi Ann Marie!
ReplyDeleteIt was very nice getting to know you and your cats! They are beautiful. I also am really passionate about current social issues, too. Did you go to the Women's March a few weeks ago? I am definitely a dog person but can't deny that your cats are so adorable! And I love that cats are much more self-sufficient. I think it's great that you're majoring in French. I am minoring in Spanish and really enjoy it. I hope to be able to learn more languages and French is on the top of that list for me.
Hi, Ann!
ReplyDeleteI'm also a huge cat lover, but the most I've ever had at one time is three. Seventeen sounds crazy! I think it's definitely a good thing they were outside cats haha. My three cats are sadly back at home and I'm not allowed to have pets in my apartment, but next year I'm switching apartment complexes and definitely going to try to bring a cat! Linguistics and French sound like really interesting topics to study. Good luck with the rest of this semester, and I hope ou have a great spring break!
Hey Ann Marie,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I want to say it is super cool that you have a cat named Purple! Purple is my favorite color, so anything that is purple, even cats, immediately stands out to me! I wish I could have cats, but unfortunately, I'm allergic, so I am glad there are people out there like you that give cats love and a place to stay! Also, it's awesome that you like to read. J.K. Rowling and Cassandra Clare are personal favorites of mine as well!
Hi Anne Marie,
ReplyDeleteNice to meet a fellow cat lady, although I can say I have definitely never had anywhere near seventeen. I can't even imagine having that many. How do you remember all their names? I am a fellow book lover and absolutely loved the Percy Jackson series as a kid. I haven't gone back and revisited but maybe I should! Jane Eyre is one of my all time favorite classics but I hate Wuthering Heights so I guess I'm also half a Bronte sisters fan.
Hey again Ann Marie!
ReplyDeleteHow is your semester going so far? I know I got caught off guard when I saw that it was already week 11, it's crazy to think we are almost at the end! Other than this class, do you ever get to write for fun, or do any sort of creative writing?
In this class so far, what has been your favorite unit? I know I enjoyed reading the Native American stories this past week. Anyways, best of luck with the rest of your semester!!
Best,
- JD
Hi Ann Marie,
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome that you are pursuing a dual degree. Linguistics is such an interesting topic, and this is coming from someone that is bilingual. You know like you, I've been reading a lot of YA lately. I am currently re-listening to the entire Harry Potter series, during my commute. And I plan to read Percy Jackson after that. Also, as someone that has worked in the restaurant business, being a server can be really tough sometimes, but I always had some amazing coworkers and managed to have some fun.
-Kevin
Hey Ann Marie!
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in what you would like to do with dual degrees in Linguistics and French. As a Latin major, that's typically the question I get and I was wondering what your answer is. Also, I think that it's great you are passionate about minority rights. While I may not be passionate about the same things, I think it's important to be passionate about something.
Hey Ann Marie,
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting degree path! I am absolutely horrible with foreign languages, in fact, I barely have a grasp on English so I always admire anyone who is able to speak multiple languages. The differences and similarities are fascinating.
I also love cats but I have never had more than two at a time. My grandmother lives near a park where sadly a lot of cats are dumped so she has a bunch of outdoor cats which she feeds. She also makes sure they are fixed to help keep the feral cat population down in her area. I always feel so bad for the cats. Some people just shouldn't have pets but it is awesome that you are able to love and take care of as many as seventeen at a time.
Good luck with your semester,
Elyse
Ann, it was really great getting to know you some through your introduction post. I think it is so cool that we are able to interact even though we are in two separate classes (I'm in Indian Epics). I think it is cool that having an online class like this allows us to do that. Again, it was great getting to know you some and the best of luck to you on your future endeavors.
ReplyDeleteHello Ann Marie,
ReplyDeleteYou really do have quite a few cats! I am curious as to why your orange cat is named "Purple". I am also a big fan of the Percy Jackson series, and I remember reading the whole series in like three days because each book was just so good I couldn't stop! I had not heard of the Rick Riordan Presents authors, but I will definitely check it out! Enjoy your last few weeks before Summer!
Brady
Hey Ann Marie, really excited to get to know a little bit about you. I loved how many photos you put and I really love the cats. I have never been a dog person, so I have respect for the other cat people in the world. I have been a massive fan of the Percy Jackson series also. I am wondering if you have seen the movie? It is actually really good and I'm sure you would love it, have a great rest of the semester.
ReplyDelete