Assignment 22 - Oliver Fister

I'd say my circumstances in my life so far amount to a pretty "average" American life. What I feel may be an interesting detail, though, and one important to shaping my personality is that my parents are divorced (Not that this detail is particularly unique - plenty of my friends' parents are divorced).

My parents are extremely different. To me, it's a wonder they ever got married at all. My mom is goofy, relaxed, and passionate, while my dad is conservative, quiet, and very intellectual. They met in high school (Henry Clay, even) and married soon after, helped each other through college and had two kids... yadda, yadda, yadda. The point is, I've had two very different people that have influenced the way I act and think. Not only do I have their different genes, but spending half time with one and half time with another really gives you many different experiences. My dad helps me with my homework, plans college visits, teaches me to drive, and has totally helped me become more responsible. My mom, however, is much more my emotional teacher. She gives me advice for adverse social situations and tells me, that even though I may be smart and analytical, there are some areas in life that you can only navigate with your gut and your heart. My stepdad, also, in particular, has had some effect on me as well - he's sarcastic and cynical, and I believe he has directly helped toughen me up and have more confidence.

As for my aspirations, I've always been interested in paleontology and evolutionary biology in particular, and is what I plan to study in college. This doesn't really match either of my parents' passions (dad an engineer, mom a social worker), but both of them fully support me and love that I've found something I'm so passionate in. My dad gets on me for my GPA and my mom ensures me that, despite my doubts and anxieties, I'll be able to make good enough money to support myself and following a career I'll enjoy is the most important thing. I have help in both key elements - the academic and emotional security - in two very different people.

As for college, I've always just kind of assumed I'd go to college, and have never had any quarrels with the idea. Now that I actually know what career path I want, which is very heavily steeped in science in academia, college is necessary, and I'm excited to learn what I need to in order to make my dreams come true.