The "barf" in the title was because as much as I like writing about myself, I doubt anyone really likes reading about me. So, if you get a few sentences in and literally want to barf, just know I understand. And you can stop. Really. I won't ever know.
With that intro, I'm sure you're all kinds of excited to read this post now. So... Enjoy!
Autobiographical Sketch
How does one write one’s own story? I suppose I have to start somewhere, so I will start at the very beginning (which is a very good place to start). For the record, that was a Sound of Music reference, and I am a big fan of all musicals. However, I don’t think I was born loving musicals, so I am getting a little ahead of myself. As you can see, I’m kind of all over the place. But I really am going to (try and) start at the beginning.
I was born in Boise, Idaho to David and Jana Borgholthaus. I was the first child, grandchild (both sides), AND niece. Thus, you might say, I was kind of the favorite baby for a while. So, I grew up with a lot of attention, which might have made me into a kind of attention-hog. However, I was painfully shy most of my growing up years. I don’t really remember much before the age of 10, but my mom tells me I was a pretty well-behaved child. I saw my family grow into a total of 7 people; with three brothers and one sister. My brothers and I always got along really well. My youngest brother is 15 years younger than I, and has always kind of been my “baby.” My sister and I had some rough times when we were teenagers, but we are now really good friends. It’s hard to describe my family... I guess the only thing that comes to mind is that we have a lot of personality. Not one of us is alike, and not one of us is boring. My brother Reed is really quiet but extremely clever and fun to be around; my sister Lauren is really sassy and always ready to give her opinion; my brother Drew is a charmer and always knows exactly the right thing to say; and my youngest brother Bradlee is super smart and always surprising us with his creativity. My mom is very bubbly and loves talking to people; my dad is a hard worker and just downright goofy. As for me, I suppose my family would describe me as really smart and (they would probably lower their eyes, and say this next word as if it were a curse word) a liberal.
Quite frankly, I don’t think I would call myself a liberal. I don’t think I wouldn’t call myself a liberal either. It depends on what you’re talking about. Should we be liberal with our love and inclusive of all people, no matter if we agree on everything or not? Yes. Should we be liberal with our goods and help those around us who are less fortunate than us? Yes. Should we be liberal with the time we spend trying to make the world a better place? Yes. Should we be liberal with the judgments we make about other people (as in, give them the benefit of the doubt...)? Yes.
I don’t like saying I’m “liberal” or “conservative.” It is a very important thing to my family, and I think it drives my dad nuts that I won’t pin myself down as one or the other. I would describe myself as “independent.” I think that’s a good word to describe me all around, not just my political views.
I realize this sketch is not really going in chronological order, but I think I left off somewhere around 10 years old and being painfully shy. Well, the shyness continued throughout high school, where I had very few close friends; though I was generally liked by everyone I knew. No one had any real reason to not like me, and that’s how I liked it. I always focused a lot on my studies, and being a super student defined me quite a bit in high school.
Until I got to BYU. Turns out everyone at BYU was a super student. I signed up as a biology major, bent on going to medical school and becoming a doctor. Looking back, I’m not sure why I decided on that career. Probably because it sounded prestigious. Probably because it sounded like a challenge (and boy do I love a challenge). Probably because I felt like there weren’t a lot of female doctors (especially in the LDS culture, which I come from) and it would be kind of cool to break the mold.
Well, I struggled through endless science classes in pursuit of my goal. I continued to break out of my shell in college as I was forced to make new friends and was put in more social situations. I took a break from school to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Fort Worth Texas. I learned Spanish, and I had the time of my life. I had some of the most trying times of my life, but also some of the most rewarding times of my life. I grew so much on my mission, and I think it was then that I really found out who I was, and embraced that person (good and bad).
Thus, I feel like I was completely changed when I got back from my mission. My mind was more open to new possibilities, and I was more willing to voice what I thought about things. I decided I wanted to do something I was passionate about, and science and medicine was just not included in that. I turned back to the humanities, which had always had a warm place in my heart. I had always been a writer, but had kind of given it up in college as a not-so-promising career choice. Well, I decided to follow my passion and pursue what I thought was my calling in life. I changed my major to English, and had no idea where it would lead me. But I knew I would love every second.
And I have. I have learned so much studying the humanities and seeing the beauty that is in the world. I am extremely idealistic and have a desire to make the world a better place. I believe a great part of that is understanding the world around us. I feel like over the last few years, my understanding has increased immensely and I have grown so much as a person. Also, my writing skills have greatly improved, and I actually enjoy writing (as long as it’s something I like writing about).
My autobiographical sketch would not be complete without an inclusion of my belief in God. I grew up with a family who was very active in the LDS church, and I have since come to believe and embrace the teachings of the Church and of my Savior Jesus Christ with all my heart. He is a huge part of my life, and I know I wouldn't be who I am today without His help. I know that He is constantly guiding my life, and that He is the great source of love that has been planted in my heart.
So, that’s where I am. I suppose in fifty more years, there will be more to my autobiographical sketch. In a nutshell, I am kind of an eclectic person. I don’t mind being called a hippie or a tree-hugger. But I also shower and do my makeup and can spend hours shopping at the mall. I can discuss literary theory with big words that I don’t even really understand, and then turn around and chit-chat about the latest chick flick. I am what some might call a “feminist” and am all about women’s equal rights, but I can’t wait to be a mom and a housewife, and I LOVE cooking. So, there you go. The rest of my story is yet to be written.
