Other Things in Other Rooms

Rooms are products of the people who live in them. And based off the entire concept of this blog, I clearly believe you can learn a lot about a person from their room. The things people choose to surround themselves with mean something, at least to the people who own them. Pictures can represent important memories while posters may symbolize ideals and beliefs.

I think I wanted this video to show that each person has bits of themselves spread throughout their room, placed in items, books, stuffed animals, whatever it may be. Three of my good friends let me document where they live, two of which rent quirky-old houses, and one who shares her space in a dorm. Each have uniquely different items that, while ordinary to most, say a lot about their lives and who they are.

After watching this video, take a look around and ask yourself, what does your room say about you?

Falling close to the tree

Photograph by Tara Whitney

It's difficult to choose where to begin when discussing my relationship with my mom. But if you really look around my room, her influence is everywhere. As I sit here on my bed, with sheets and pillows that she helped me pick out, the truth of it is actually a little insane. From little items she's given me, to the color of my walls, the majority of my things are connected to her. So the entire concept of this blog would be lost if I didn't discuss our relationship, right? And it's going to be difficult to put it into words, to narrow it down to a blog post. But everyone at one point had a mother, so I might as well attempt to talk about mine.

I really believe that the bond between a mother and daughter can be the most supportive, soul-enriching relationship a person has. On the same hand, it can be the most volatile and destructive. They are powerful, even when they don't exist. My relationship with my mom has many, many layers. She has seen me at my absolute weakest (even meanest), most awful state. I have fought with her more than any other person. I have cried with her more than any other person. (Admittedly, we are both quite the emotional creatures.) Often, it's like we are each other's therapists. At this point, I should probably submit a co-pay when I walk through the front door.

Photograph by Hannah Schultz

She made these picture frame art-things quite a few years ago. I remember when I first saw them, I wasn't the biggest fan. When I was moving into my house last summer, she offered to let me have them. For whatever reason, my aesthetic taste had changed, so I said yes. And not only is our design taste starting to mimic the others, but I've recently started to notice that we share quite a few mannerisms and behaviors. For example, when I go into a restaurant, I cannot help but make dorky-food-related jokes to the waiter or waitress. Who did I learn this from? Take a wild guess. Occasionally, we also dress the same. When I donate clothes, she always looks through them first to see if she wants them, whether I like it or not.

So I have to wonder...is this nature or nurture? Am I genetically programmed to have this awkward humor? Or is it simply due to my upbringing? Most likely the true answer is both. But personally, I'm a much bigger believer that socialization and relationships shape personal identity. And I must also mention, my mom and I are not twins. We have some very different and important values, behaviors, and beliefs. But I know that I am similar to her, as she is similar to her mother, and so on and so on. In that way, it's kind of like we are all just modified versions of our ancestors.

So what do you think? Is it possible to be nothing like your parents? Can a person be their own, 100% unique individual? I want some real opinions here. I love my mother beyond words (especially written words), and I'm well aware that not everyone shares the same connection with their parents. I'm only twenty-years-old (for two more months!), I have a lot of growing up to do. I imagine I will continue to change. But at the core of myself, that is where my similarities with her exist. So am I a rare case of the apple not falling far from the tree, or is it normal to land near your roots?

Sap-Attack

Photograph by Hannah Schultz

A lot of the things in my room were given to me by someone. That someone is my boyfriend. This post is going to be much more personal than any of my previous. Personal things in my life + personal writing = über-extra-dextra-personal post. That's what people like, right? So here it goes: I have been dating my boyfriend for two and a half years now (awww). And I must admit, I have Facebook to thank for it. There! I admitted it! Facebook gave me my relationship! Does that make me an online dater...? 

8th grade Hannah

Let's not answer that question. I have known Alex since I was about twelve-years-old. We grew up in different towns in Washington, and he was one of my brothers tennis rivals from our summer tournaments. We are, undoubtedly, the Romeo and Juliet of our generation. I must be honest, our interaction during those younger years was...limited. You see, Alex is about three and a half years older than me. So when I was twelve, he was fifteen going on sixteen. That age gap, at that time, was significant. While I pined after him, he saw me as a little girl. But do not fret. There is clearly a happy ending to this, since I somehow managed to woo him. 


Alex was a senior in college by the time I was a freshman. The summer before I went to Western Washington University, we started casually chatting on Facebook. I'd followed his life throughout the years, see him have girlfriends and see it not work out. This is somewhat embarrassing to admit, but I knew we had a lot in common based on what I noticed on his profile. The summer before I started college, our communication started to rapidly develop. Messages became the length of novels, and then we switched over completely to phone conversations. We would talk all throughout the day about every aspect of our lives, our beliefs, our goals, past present and future. Everything. 

October 11th, 2008

This new found connection + my previous crush quickly became fully developed "feelings". In October of 2008, he invited me to a concert in Portland. It was clear that the age gap no longer mattered. So really, this is me, giving hope to all young girls in the world crushing on their sibling's friends.


I guess I want to relate this experience to the whole idea of dating in college. I've had a few people express the opinion that it's bad to become tied down too young. But in my life, I don't find these arguments applicable. I am dating my best friend. Is that not something to hold on to? Even more, when I look at the drama and uncertainty my single friends face, the hooking up, the awkward dates, I'm even happier that I'm in a stable and healthy relationship. 

Photograph by Hannah Schultz (clearly)

Now, I'm not saying that everything in my life and relationship is perfect. It shouldn't be. Alex and I have had our fair share of trouble that we have needed to work through. I am also aware that there are positive aspects of being single in college, like gaining a greater sense of independence. I just believe that when you find someone you love, you don't let go of it because of how old or young you may be. You love who you love when you love them, and that's that. 


I hope this post hasn't been too unbearably mushy-gushy. But I really want to know something, since everyone's lives and experiences are different. Have you ever loved anyone? And what has your college dating OR single experience been like?