Quick takes, in chronological (not necessarily due to importance) order:
- Daughter of refugees of the Killing Fields and proud American citizen
- Convenience Store kid
- Typical bossy big sister
- Kaufman County spelling bee champion
- High school salutatorian
- First to attend college in my family
- Aggie (Gig ’em!)
- Terry Scholar
- Sorority president
- Lawyer
- Former moot court coach
- Mentor
- Dog-mom
- Marathoner (pre-kids)
- Wife
- Triathlete (pre-kids)
- Mom of 3 (8, 6 and 2)
- Peloton-subscriber
Now to fill in the messy details:
I’m a recovering overachiever, overcommitter (is that even a word?) and people-pleaser with many lapses — with mile-long to-do lists (one for work and one for personal) and unread books neatly piled all over the house and building up in my Kindle. Hubby thinks I’m a borderline hoarder.
Some people collect things – but I like to collect people and collect ideas and connect them to each other. I think the connections that we have with each other make our lives so much richer. In that regard, I want to be the richest person in the world.
The question why? drives everything. I believe in the the big picture although I still sweat the small stuff, when I shouldn’t.
If you are in my inner circle, I will give you all that I have. If you are not, I might still be willing to share.
Sometimes the world makes me really sad if I let it. Quick to laugh and cry, I still wear my heart on my sleeve, even though life has tried to teach me to do otherwise. Where others have remarked upon my empathy as a weakness, it is actually my superpower. A fair warning: even commercials and songs can make me cry, especially ones about babies and dogs.
I often have opinions although I am slow to share them because I prefer being more agreeable than disagreeable. I probably care too much about what people think, but I’m also my worst critic. Working through all of that with my therapist….
I don’t really have an inside voice — and I get even louder with just one glass of wine. Which is so hypocritical because I really value quiet. Maybe that’s why I’m a night owl – thinking, reading, writing when I should really be sleeping, like everyone else is.
One of my favorite things to do is to dance while I’m cooking in the kitchen. Another is to uncover people’s stories and their why.
I really like trying new things, even if it means figuring out that I hate it. I am impatient with people who aren’t even willing to try.
I believe that you shouldn’t underestimate the power of kindness and a genuine smile. Eye contact is a minimum requirement. Everyone is worthy of being seen.
I am no optimist (anxiety gets in the way) but I believe that the best investment you can make is in good people. You always get a return, or least, you hope that it is paid forward. And there’s nothing like the feeling of community.
My nemesis: parking garages (the beams always come at me!), bean sprouts (they taste like dirt) and the billable hour.
And one last thing – while I love my job, I am not my job –so my opinions are my own (and do not reflect or necessarily connect to the opinions of my employer).
Things I tend to write about: being in-house counsel, mentoring, being a work-outside-the-home mom, and personal growth and productivity.
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