Monday, January 12, 2015

Introduction: Enter the Nerd

I go by many different names. Most people know me best by Danni - hence my domain name, 'The Tiny Danster.' I'm a senior working on my last real semester here in college. Hopefully by the end of the Summer I'll have my microbiology degree and I'll be able to go off into the real world and take it by storm.
I'm passionate about a lot of things - ending child abuse, spreading awareness about sexual assault, general health (mental, physical, emotional, spiritual), and culturing oneself. I am a self-admitted Trivia Crack addict and I love learning new languages. With the help of Duolingo I am currently learning French, German, Swedish, Irish, and hopefully soon Russian.

My main goals after finishing college are as follows:
  • Find a job that will allow me to afford good coffee, chocolate, beer, and bacon.
  • Get back into training in a martial art (hopefully karate).
  • Pick up bellydancing again.
  • Go hiking. A lot.

I’m hoping to move to Oregon after I finish with Oklahoma. We’ll see what happens.

I’ve always loved learning about mythology from other cultures - namely Greek and Norse mythology. I’ve only very recently started to get into Celtic mythology and it’s slow going. Trying to pronounce some of the names of places or deities is very difficult. I’m really excited to learn about the tales and stories from other countries in this class!
I have a lot of weird hobbies. I really enjoy reading trashy paranormal romance novels (I call them brainrot), drawing, making dreamcatchers, feeding the ducks and geese, and listening to new music. Right now I’m really into Hozier, but I’m also really digging Beats Antique.
I’m looking forward to learning lots of new things this semester, and to being done with college. It’s been a long and crazy ride, but I’m ready to get off and go check out the rest of the theme park!


This is a picture of me looking hella hipster. I normally don't dress like this, I swear. 


19 comments:

  1. We have a lot in common. I refused to become a Trivia Crack addict, but I failed at that one. My fiancé has four brothers so I am constantly playing all of them! Hiking is one of my favorite things to do as well. I was going to go to Canyon, TX this weekend to visit the canyons with some of my friends, but unfortunately, our plans fell through because of my car. The fact that you belly dance is incredible! One of my friends took an elective course and chose belly dancing. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Wow, a Duolingo serial learner, Danni - how fantastic! I was a Polish/Russian major in college, and learning a Slavic language is a powerful thing to do... lots of cases, and the most fascinating verb system ever (all aspect, not tense, so cool!!!). It sounds like there are all kinds of directions you can go with this class, and Celtic is SUCH a great area to study. Have you found your way to the Celtic section at Sacred Texts...? Story-a-ganza!!! I am so curious to see what you will do for your project this semester! :-)

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  3. I have always wanted to learn another language. I am currently learning Spanish but as it turns out I am horrible at foreign languages so I find it fascinating that you are learning so many different ones. That seems quite complicated. I also enjoy hiking. I love anything that involves being outside. I can't imagine trying to belly dance. I have no rhythm whatsoever. Good luck with your last semester.

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  4. Wow, I love how you introduced yourself! Lol You seem like a really outgoing, fun person to be around. A few years back, I was into the Martial Arts as well...Tae Kwon Do specifically and I loved it!!! I also love, love, love belly dancing! There is a dance studio in OKC that specializes in belly dancing...tribal & all the other forms. One of my friends actually teaches there. I'm amazed at how you have learned so many languages. Mainly because I have wanted to learn other languages, but my brain just doesn't seem to grasp it very well. I have learned sign language, mostly at a conversational level, and I know a little bit of Spanish. Not enough to hold a conversation though! Congrats on this hopefully being your last semester in college and being able to get out there in the world to see what it has to offer. I'm graduating this semester as well with high hopes of working as a Foster Care Worker with a private organization. Ending child abuse, all abuse really, is one of my main passions in life too. That's why I'm a foster parent now...to help the kids who are abused and/or neglected now. Best of luck to you!

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  5. Hello Danni. First of all I love the title of your introduction! I already relate to you. This is a BEAUTIFUL picture of you!!!! Microbiology? That is incredible. You are so close to finishing. Congrats on that! That is so cool that you are learning all of those languages. I wish I knew how to speak a second language. It is very nice to meet you.

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  6. Danster!
    I don't know you, but I feel like, after reading your post, we are on the level where I can call you "Danster". You rock, I can already tell! Your post is refreshing and I feel like I can relate in a lot of ways! I recently learned a lot of Spanish using Duolingo, so I'm impressed that you are learning multiple languages on it! I also LOVE LOVE LOVE to hike, I went this past weekend up by Tulsa and hiked several times. Although Oregan should have a lot better places than Oklahoma, no offense! Enjoy this last semester!

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  7. Danni! Your introduction is perfect! I feel like I know you just a little. I love the thought that you put into your domain name. Congratulations on finishing school. I am in the same boat. It is a great feeling to know that you are so close. Your main goals are so honest. Lol. I like how you know exactly what you want. I would like to move after graduation but I am open to many places. Maybe I am just indecisive. Keep up the good work and stay focused. Good luck with everything after graduation. Have a great semester.

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  8. Danni: Wow, you should definitely check out Oregon! It seems like the coolest place to live, and the weather is perfect.

    Microbiology, eh? What has been your favorite class so far?

    That's cool that you're using Duolingo to learn a bunch of different languages. Maybe you can practice your newly acquired skills with the mysterious man in the background of your photo!

    Good bacon…what are your criteria for this delicacy? My brother is into hunting and has caught some wild hogs on our farm - and he plans to eat them! Perhaps you should look into this option, as it will save you money in the long run (while certainly giving you yet another element of exploration and adventure to pursue).

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  9. DANNI!!!!!
    I should have known that you would be in this class! I remember you talking about mythology in experiencing music class! I think that it’s so cool that you belly dance! Belly dancing looks tough so kudos to you my friend.
    So about Hozier, I love him too. I loved Take Me to Church when I first heard it but I just recently started listening to his other stuff and it great. I actually just downloaded his album on Spotify yesterday. Paranormal romance huh....let me tell you, I am Ill about cheesy paranormal romance novels. I don’t know what it is but once you start reading them they just suck you in!

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  10. You seem to have quite a few unique hobbies. Belly dancing seems like a really interesting thing to pick up. And learning four different languages at the same time seems like a ton of work, too. I’ve taken a few microbiology classes and they have all been great- learning about all of the different microorganisms and how they can affect other organisms is really interesting.

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  11. Danni, that's awesome that you have such great ideas for your future (even if you don't know what you want to do, you know how you want to do it). I certainly feel in a similar boat as you since this is my last semester here at OU before I head off to grad school (all fingers crossed). I also like how you are interested in belly dancing. That is not an interest a lot of people have, so it is definitely one that is unique and awesome!

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  12. Danni, I'm so glad I read your introduction! First off, congrats on being almost done with your degree! Microbiology seems like a really cool yet difficult major, so I have major respect for you. I can totally relate to the Trivia Crack comment. I'm trying to wean myself off, but so far it hasn't worked too well. I got so excited when I read that you want to move to Oregon! My plan is to move there after I graduate. Maybe I'll see you there!

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  13. Hi Danni!

    It sounds like we have two big things in common. First, I am completely addicted to coffee. If I don't get to drink a cup or two every morning, it has a negative affect on my entire day. Second, I love to go hiking. I am all about experiencing the outdoors and getting away from the TV. Hopefully, like you, I can get a good job when I graduate so I can indulge both of these passions. Nice to meet you!

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  14. Well all of that sounds great! I am majoring in biochemistry, but have dabbled in several microbiology classes as well. It's good stuff. As for everything else, it all sounds good. I too am a lover of everything chocolate, beer, and bacon (hold the coffee). That is literally a ton of different languages, the English language keeps me busy enough!

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  15. Wow, I am impressed with how many languages you are learning. Are any of them similar? Which one is the hardest? I like how you bullet pointed your goals; this makes it easy to read and gets right to the point. You seem very passionate about many of things, which is very inspiring. Why do you want to move to Oregon? I enjoyed reading your introduction. It was nice to meet you!

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  16. Microbiology, that sounds cool! My sister-in-law has a micro degree. She taught high school biology for a while and then became a stay at home mom. I've always wondered what else there is to do with that degree, so you'll have to fill me in :)
    From your list of things you are passionate about you sound like you would love anthropology. If you ever go back for a masters, you should check it out, especially medical anthropology.
    I like the brain rot books too sometimes. It's nice to just "get away" from the real world every now and then :)

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  17. Danni, first off I will say congrats on graduating. I am also graduating this May so it is definitely nerve wracking to know what comes after. It is awesome that you want to go to Oregon after graduation. My aunt and uncle live up in Seattle and love the northwest. It is a different world out there with plenty of recreational activities so you'll fit right in with your interest of hiking. Good luck with everything after graduation!

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  18. Hey Danni! Really nice to meet you! I too am a senior year, so I definitely know the struggle of wanting to be finished! Like you, I am a trivia crack addict (or well...I used to be). I accidentally let a few of my games expire, and I have yet to jump back on it, but prior to that, I would play multiple games all at once, haha. I've never been to Oregon, but I've been to Seattle, and I've heard they're pretty similar. I think it would be so fun to live there! Best of luck to you as you finish up your last semester! You're in the homestretch!

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  19. Good luck with learning Russian! It’s a difficult language but extremely interesting. I took several semesters here at OU and it was undoubtedly a difficult time for me personally. It sounds like you have a pretty good sense of what you want to accomplish after college. Hopefully you have time to get back into everything you want to do and enjoy your time!

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