A Small Piece Of Me!

Who is Jessica? How does she spend her days? What are her likes and dislikes? 

Jessica is a girl who appears to be your average blonde haired, blue eyed, 5'6" female, but she is more, and less, than that. Jessica's life encompasses a variety of things, ranging from books to babysitting. 

I, Jessica, enjoy many things, but I am particularly fond of traveling, babysitting, biking, drinking grape water, learning about Biomedical Sciences, drawing marshmallow men, and playing with Play-doh. I am a still in high school but, fingers crossed, I will be graduating this spring. I attend Gull Lake High School and the Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center (KAMSC). 

I cherish my time spent with my friends and family, particularly with my brother, Wade. I often joke that Wade and I are a force to be reckoned with. We have had a rather unusual upbringing, due to a number of events. We have been very fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to travel across many parts of the world. My father works at a Belgian NGO called APOPO in Morogoro, Tanzania. APOPO trains Large African Pouched Rats to detect landmines and tuberculosis. I have worked on research projects at APOPO, and I have also attended the Morogoro International School for a few months while my dad was working. Although I have been exposed to many people and cultures, Tanzania has been by far my favorite. The country has absolutely exquisite landscape, and the people live with open arms and kind hearts. Additionally, Tanzania's contribution to global warming is monumentally lesser than that of the United States'!  I can see myself living in Tanzania in the near future. There is a strong possibility that I may never truly return "home."

Due to my experiences and family, my friends vary in religious beliefs, skin color, socioeconomic status, and educational attainment. I grew up on a farm in Barry County, with two parents who came from very impoverished backgrounds. As a child, my father, who is quite literally a "hillbilly from the Hills" (West Virginia), did not even have indoor plumbing! Somehow though, both of my parents managed to do quite well, and we have lived a life full of adventure. I hope to bring a unique and diverse perspective to this class, and I cannot wait to see all it has in store! :)