An Introduction to Me
I'm one of those people who, when asked to give a fun fact about myself, always struggles to think of something. I don't really view myself as a very interesting a person, especially when I have to think of one thing to represent me, but I still really enjoy and am happy with who I am, and I hope my life is interesting to some.
I guess a good place to start an introduction is with my name and hometown, so: my name is Leah Pomerantz and I'm from Stratford, NJ. No, I don't have a "Jersey" accent. My hometown is about ten miles east of Philadelphia and only forty-five minutes from the shore.
If there's one NJ stereotype that I wholeheartedly embrace, it's my love of the shore. I love diving in the waves, walking along the sane at sunset, and people-watching on the boardwalk. I honestly didn't realize we're the only state that refers to it as the shore until I was a senior in high school. A question I get asked a lot is why someone from NJ would choose to come to OU. To be perfectly honest, my interest in OU was sparked by a scholarship, but I ultimately found a loving and supportive environment when I came to visit, and that has been confirmed by my experiences here. I do sometimes feel a bit like a fish out of water when confronted with new cultural norms, but I don't regret my choice at all.
I'm a tour guide (side note: it's the greatest job ever!) so I'm used to introducing myself along what is basically a script, and I'm going to borrow from that a bit. I'm a double major here at OU, majoring in math and economics, with a minor in German. My plans for after college are to do more school: I want to get my PhD in economics and eventually become a professor so I can teach and do economic research. It feels weird telling people that I want to be a professor when I'm still in college myself, but I've always loved teaching and helping others. In high school, I was a volunteer educator at a natural sciences museum in Philadelphia (you can find a few more details in my first blog post), and there's really nothing better than seeing the spark in someone's eye when they understand something new.
Despite my Type-A tendencies, I do find time for extracurriculars and non-academics. I'm a part of Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies, a sorority for women and non-binary persons in STEM majors; the Independent Greek Council; and, my personal favorite, the Undergraduate Mathematics Club (we just go by math club). I don't want this introduction to read like a resume, but I do really love these activities. There are a few other organizations I attend every now and then, but these three are the ones that I try and pour into.
I will end this blog post with the fun fact that I've settled on for when I have to do those awkward introduction ice-breakers: I'm a dual citizen, but I've never been to my other country.
"Australian Flag"
Photy.org. Web Source: flickr
My mother is from Australia, so my siblings and I all have dual citizenship, but I'm the only one in my family that's never had the chance to go. I did get my Australian passport a couple years ago, and it's still a long while before it expires, so here's hoping I get a chance to use it when the pandemic is over!
Hi Leah!
ReplyDeleteTo start, I have a question: So if you don't have a Jersey accent, do you have a Philly one?
Props to you for not only double majoring, but minoring in a foreign language, as well. You go girl!
I also wanted to say that I am really jealous of you for being a citizen of Australia, which is one of my favorite places ever! But I am also really sad for you that you've never experienced it.
I am looking forward to getting to know you more this semester!
-Libby
Hi, I am Addison. I think the dual citizenship is so cool! I have never left the country either but Australia is one of the places I would like to visit if I get the chance. I also relate to why you chose OU. I am from Oklahoma and did not want to go to OU but I had a free application and my high school required me to apply to 5 universities. Low and behold I got a really good scholarship and visited OU and felt it was the right place for me, and I have grown so much at this university. Thank you for being such a great part of the OU community, I can't wait to learn more about you!
ReplyDeleteHey Leah! I totally get not being able to come up with an interesting fact on the spot for those class ice breakers. It always feels like you need to have something really cool. I think it's amazing that you want to be a professor! That's definitely something interesting you could use for your ice breakers. I definitely hope you'll be able to go to Australia sometime soon, crossing fingers for a vaccine in the beginning of next year.
ReplyDeleteHi Leah! That's so awesome that you want to become a professor! I actually considered this profession too while in college. I used to teach math at Kumon. I loved being able to teach a student something new or help them understand a concept that they were having trouble in. I believed that anyone was capable of being good in math as long as they had a good teacher to lay down a strong foundation for them. I always noticed the students that struggled the most had a weak foundation in math. Anyway, I soon realized that my passion was the medical field after I took an EMT class. So now, I'm trying to become a PA. I still admire those who want to become educators though! I wouldn't be who I am today without all my teachers.
ReplyDeleteHi Leah, I read your first paragraph and felt it in my soul. I also am happy with who I am but don't view myself and as any more interesting than the next person. I struggle to think of things as well. Beyond that though you have a ton of interesting things going on in your life and well-rounded ones too! Foreign languages, dual citizenship, and being a tour guide are not things I typically hear of from people and it makes me think of tons of questions. I really hope you get to visit Australia and it is nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteOh, the east coast shore, and what a great picture, Leah! For me, I know the California and Oregon coast better, so whenever I am on a beach on the East Coast, it feels so different than what I am used to, but that makes it exciting also. And yay for math! I started out as a math major in college, and they advised us to study Russian or German, so I studied Russian... and I was hooked: after just one semester of Russian I switched my major to foreign languages (Russian, Polish, Latin, Greek)... but I sometimes wonder how different my life would have been if I had stuck with math instead. I hope you will find some ways for your clubs to do some safe activities on campus this summer, and if you have anything you want me to include in the class announcements like that anytime, just let me know! And maybe you will want to explore some Australian stories for this class; we don't have an Australian unit in the UnTextbook, but there are some wonderful books online: Australia at the Freebookapalooza: link. No passports needed to go on a story journey! :-)
ReplyDeleteI completely relate to the fact that it is hard to find an answer to the question "what is something interesting about you." I have always hated that question myself and struggle to think of something just because I find it to be a weird question in the first place. I feel like if you haven't had some dramatic experience or just have a weird life then most people struggle to find something about themselves that is worthy of being "interesting." I loved this introduction and am excited to read your stories in the future.
ReplyDeleteHi Leah! I've always wanted to see NJ! I also came to OU for the similar reason of having a scholarship. Although we are somewhat opposite in the sense that I originally wanted to go out of state and then stayed in Oklahoma because of a great scholarship. Also, it's really cool that you have dual citizenship! Australia is one of my top bucket list destinations. If you end up going soon, you'll have to tell us what it's like!
ReplyDeleteHey Leah! I definitely understand not always knowing what to say when someone asks for a 'fun fact'. However, your dual-citizenship is a great one! I really want to go to Australia one day and explore the country, especially go see the koalas and kangaroos. That's great that you want to be a professor and pursue economics. Good luck with classes and everything in the future!
ReplyDeleteHi Leah!
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy to imagine that you came all the way from New Jersey to this little college town thousands of miles away. In this class and in Indian Epics, I've learned that there are a complete handful of students from east as well as west coast that chose OU as their college of choice. Also, this is the first time I've heard someone having a job as a tour guide as well, and it's great to see that you are clearly enjoying that role. I hope to see more from you soon!
Hi Leah!
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome you want to become a professor!
I actually plan to do the same with my Professional Writing degree if I can! :)
I totally feel you on sometimes feeling like a fish out of water due to the different cultural norms.
I grew up in Southern California, so to say the least, moving to Oklahoma was a bit of culture shock.
Hi Leah,
ReplyDeleteI think it is so cool that you have duel citizenship! That is awesome. It is really cool to see your passion for economics and teaching. My dad is an economics teacher and loves it. Since a young age he has had me trading stocks and watching the market. I look forward to reading through some of your creative pieces this semester. Wish you all the best.
Hi again Leah!
ReplyDeleteIntroductions make me nervous because I also don't view myself as an "interesting" person and I don't like to talk about myself. However, as I read through your post, I learned there are several interesting things about you. I think it's wonderful that you want to become a professor and teach what you love; it shows dedication and passion, which is inspiring. It's awesome that you are involved in many organizations. I wish I had gotten more involved with clubs. I'd love to go to Australia, so I hope you get to visit Australia one day! I look forward to reading more of your stories.
Hey Leah! It is so nice to meet you. I too have trouble finding anything interesting about myself when posed that awkward question, but it's alright, we always find something. I always love hearing about people coming from different states or countries and liking their time in Oklahoma. I have lived in Oklahoma my entire life and love my state, so hearing other people like it too brings joy to my heart. It sounds like you have a pretty busy life, but I am glad you already know what you want o do in the future, I envy that. When this pandemic is over I hope you make it to Australia! Let's have a great rest of the semester!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Payton
Hi Leah, you sound very interesting despite you not thinking you have something interesting about yourself. I love New Jersey. I went spring break of 2019 (before covid :() We went for a close friend's wedding, so we were not able to really see the shore. I think that is so cool that you have so many extracurriculars. I am also super type-A. I hope you have a great rest of the semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Leah,
ReplyDeleteI am also a tour guide here at OU, with the Honors College, and the intro speech scripts are what I use almost any time we have to go around the room and introduce ourselves! Do you usually work the shifts where you walk and give tours, or do you work in the office with lots of the packages and handwritten cards? So many hand muscle cramps...
I love your interest in the shore, and it's kind of ironic to find in Oklahoma! But as a born and bred Okie, I am jealous of the ability to be able to take a sunset walk along the beach!
Best,
Rachel
Hi Leah, nice to meet you! I always think it is so cool to meet people from all over at OU and hear about their hometowns. I am from Oklahoma and so I didn't go very far for college. I think it is awesome that you have dual citizenship. That is definitely something that not a lot of people can say. I have never been to Australia either but it is 100% on my travel bucketlist. My mom even had a exchange "sister" in highschool that came and lived her for a year who she is still close with that we will hopefully get to visit one day.
ReplyDeleteHi Leah,
ReplyDeleteI disagree! You definitely are interesting. I enjoyed learning more about your life. I've been to Newark, NJ, but I didn't have the chance to see the shore while I was there. Are the beaches nice there? I would imagine they would be kind of cold, but I'll have to add it to my list of places to go.
It's cool that you have dual citizenship, with any luck you'll get to visit sooner rather than later.
Good luck with the rest of the semester and thanks for sharing!
Hello Leah, I think that it is so cool that you have found you place in Oklahoma. I have lived in Oklahoma my entire life and it still baffles me as to why people would want to come here lol. I do love the east coast and wouldn't mind living there. I also think it is so cool that you are also so passionate about your career path and studies. Best of luck in the future!
ReplyDeleteHI, Leah! Wow! It sounds like you have a lot on your plate. I struggle with just one major and a minor. I can't imagine adding a major and all of those extra curricular activities into my schedule. Kudos! I'm glad to see that you found your place here at OU. I'm sure that was a bit of an adjustment for sure. I'm from Texas and still find myself thinking about how weird some things are here. Good luck on your continuing education!
ReplyDelete