Introduction to a Queen
Hello! My name is
Kathleen Taylor. Just for clarification, my title says "Introduction to a Queen" because queen rhymes with Kathleen, so I tend to pair the two together. I am personally not an actual queen, and it doesn't really have anything to do with my life, I just think that it sounds nice: "Queen Kathleen"
My major is Industrial and Systems Engineering. Despite it sounding semi long and confusing,
my major is simply training me to find the safest, fastest, most cost effective
way for going from point A to point B. This
can range from manufacturing car parts to organizing the lines at
Disneyland. The best class that I took last
semester was Ergonomics, which is basically the study of improving human
machine interface, while also including designing things to cause less wear and
tear on the human body. I would love to
have a career that focuses around that; making things and systems better and
easier for everyone.
Some random things about my family: I have 4 sisters, one older and three younger. My oldest sister lives in Nashville and was basically my idol growing up. My oldest younger sister joined our family when she was 16; she is originally from Ukraine. She is a wonderful mother to my 2 year old niece. My second younger sister is the one that I grew up with. We are so close in age that my parents often raised us as twins, dressing us alike and giving us similar toys. She is often my go to person because she knows me so well. My youngest sister is 13, and I think that she and I have the most in common interest-wise, mainly because I feed into her love of fandoms. My parents are both chemical engineers, and are always in favor of geeky and nerdy things. My favorite thing about my mom her heart; how she genuinely cares for people and wants what is best for them. My favorite thing about my dad is how he approaches everything with a sense of wonder.
My family (minus my older sister) May 2014
Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10103997092910819&set=t.100004346523275&type=3&theater
My family (minus Dad, who is taking the picture) c. 2013
Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=158450224309861&set=pb.100004346523275.-2207520000.1503598196.&type=3&theater
One hobby
that I have wanted to try recently was baking.
I got into a show on Netflix recently called the Great British Baking
Show. It has amateur bakers competing against
each other to show who the best baker is consistently. They are always so creative and the food
always looks so good. I am constantly
sitting there thinking, “Oh I could totally make that.” Currently I am not exceedingly good at
baking. My family is always a little
wary when I visit and say that I am going to bake something. I live in the Residence Halls as a Resident
Adviser, so a kitchen has not been readily available to me the last couple of
years. However, it was recently announced that
they are building a kitchen in the res hall that I live in, so I am hoping that
I will have a chance to try and improve at baking.
My favorite experience while being a student at OU was
studying abroad in Italy for a semester my sophomore year. We had three day weekends, which gave us the
time to travel around quite a lot. One of
my favorite trips was going to Oktoberfest in Munich. We hit a bit of a rough start at the beginning
of the trip. We fell asleep on the
train, and ended up missing our stop. As
a result we had to book a flight last minute and sleep overnight in the airport
in Rome. It was a long and stressful time
getting there, but it was worth it getting there. The woman at the inn we were staying at felt
bad for us that we had trouble getting there, so she gave us a large room and
we each got our own bed. We got to explore
Oktoberfest that Saturday. Sunday we
woke up early to be sure to get a good spot in one of the beer tents. I loved the trip, and getting through the
traveling problems made me feel more confident that I can get through stressful situations and still have a
good time at the end of the day.
Me(left), Ashley(middle), and Savannah(right) waiting in line for a beer tent in Munich
Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10206761255583273&set=t.100006074947221&type=3&theater
Hi Kathleen,
ReplyDeleteYour major sounds really interesting. And thanks for the explanation - I sometimes get confused about all the different types of engineering that OU offers.
What kinds of things have you tried baking? I have never been much of a cook until I moved into an apartment last year, and since then I've enjoyed it more than I ever did before. I've experimented a little, but nothing elaborate. I have food allergies that limit my baking abilities. Which one do you live in? Do you like being an RA?
Hello Emily! Unfortunately, I am not super good at baking right now. I normally stick to cookies, but am hoping to expand. I live in Walker, and I really like being an RA. It is a fun experience and I get to support freshmen through their first year of college.
DeleteHa ha, my middle name is Kathleen, so of course I approve of Kathleen rhyming with queen. Maybe you will write a story about a Queen Kathleen at some point this semester. And what great pictures of you and your family: the queen and all the sister queens and the royal mom and dad too of course. Perhaps you will use this class to re-live some of your European travels through stories: for both Italy and Germany you will find so many great story collections online, including a book all about legends of the city of Rome, just for example: Roman Legends: Fables and Folklore. Traveling through stories is not as much fun as real traveling... but you can travel through stories ANY time. I get to do that pretty much every day in fact, thanks to these classes! I hope you will have fun with the story-traveling you do here each week. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen! So cool that you're an engineering major! My Little is actually mechanical engineering as well so I've got to experience a little of it through her and man do you guys have it tough! Good luck this semester! I love that you and your sister have similar fandoms - which fandoms are your faves? I'm a die hard Harry Potter fan (but I feel like everyone is these days). I love that you got the opportunity to study abroad, I haven't been able to but I love to travel! I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouragement for this semester! My sister and I love Harry Potter, as well as Star Trek, Star Wars, Avatar the Last Airbender, and Doctor Who. She as also introduced me to some fandoms for younger audiences, like Percy Jackson.
DeleteHello Kathleen! My son wants to be an engineer and work on drones when he gets older. I thought about it as a career but all that math made me look the other way haha. You are strong person for wanting to try baking. I used to be a professional chef and I could not bake to save my life except for basic things. Kudos to you for wanting to explore it. When it comes to fandoms it is Star Wars all the way for me. My grandma raised me on it and I have passed my love and passion for it to my son as well. Guess you could say it is our little tradition. Have an amazing week and semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen!
ReplyDeleteYour major sounds super interesting, and I'm glad you gave an explanation because I definitely understand the purpose better now. I have a bigger family as well with two sisters and it's the absolute best! My oldest sister has always been my role model too, and she is an attorney in OKC. Your family seems great! I would love to go Italy. It sounds like you had quite the experience. Good luck on the rest of your semester!
Hello Kathleen! Your major sounds super interesting. I always hear people say they are some kind of engineering, not really knowing what the difference is so I'm glad that you clarified on yours. I also loved reading about your travel experience in Italy. I haven't made it there yet, but I really would love to study abroad in Arezzo at some point during my college career, if it all works out the way that I hope that it does.
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen!
ReplyDeleteThanks for explaining to me what industrial and systems engineering is, people tell me that’s what their major is all the time and I don’t want to sound dumb so I never ask what it actually is. It’s so cute that you’re so close to all of your sisters! I have always wanted a sister but I have 2 older others. Your family picture is so adorable, what a picture perfect family!
Hey there Kathleen! It's so nice to meet ya! I think my jaw just about dropped when I saw your last photo, and Ashley Medice was right in the middle of it! We have known each other since our freshman year. My world gets smaller every day that I'm living in it. I am SO glad that you got the opportunity to study abroad in Arrezo, I had the most incredible time while I was there, and I think about it so much that I might have to go back soon.
ReplyDeleteHey, Kathleen! Your major sounds very interesting. I am a pretty fair cook but I too struggle with baking. The thing that gets me about baking is that measurements and accuracy are very important, more so than in cooking. When I am cooking I hardly ever measure anything but with baking, you can't do that or you will end up with mushy cake or rock-hard cookies. My dad is a pastry chef so I will leave the baking to him. I hope you find success in baking when you have better access to a kitchen. I think it is awesome that you studied abroad in Italy I have so many friends who have done it and loved it and I would so love to go. Hope your semester is going well!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen! You know interesting little factoid about your degree; I think the father from the Cheaper by the Dozen book does what your studying for a living. The book goes into detail about how he had his kids do everything incredibly efficiently. So if you haven't read it, highly recommend.
ReplyDeleteThat's really cool that you got to go to Italy for OU. I wished my major had some travel abroad program because I've always wanted to go to Italy as well. The architecture looks so beautiful nd I'm a closeted history buff, so I love old buildings.
Hi Kathleen! I love your title haha that was really clever! I have a lot of friends who are engineers and there are several I-S kids in my math class actually! I think thats a really cool major and it is definitely something I think about a lot! I'm a big fan of the fastest and most efficient way to do things, and sometimes I really wonder if it is because I am so "efficient" or if I'm just lazy and want to get everything out of the way already! I love to bake too! But I am also not the best at it, but I must say I have finally mastered the perfect chocolate chip cookie! If you like your cookies gooey, I definitely suggest trying adding a little bit of honey into the mix! It makes a big difference!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen! It is nice to meet you! This may be random, but do you know my girlfriend Chelsey Zerby? She came over while I was looking at people to comment on and she said she knew a Kathleen from when she was in OU's colorguard. I am envious of your study abroad to Italy. I traveled around Europe in high school and I feel like I learned so much from the different countries and cultures. You mentioned you are into different fandoms. Which ones are you a part of? I love superhero comics, game of thrones, and star wars.
ReplyDeleteHey Kathleen! I read “Introduction to a Queen” and had to pick your blog to do my comments for. As I read, I understood why you chose it, but it still made me giggle. I did not know there was a major for Industrial and Systems Engineering, but it completely makes sense. It is crazy how broad that major is. It sounds very interesting actually. The title doesn’t quite give that excitement from just reading it. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteKathleen,
ReplyDeleteThank you for explaining your degree. I would have had to google it. It sounds really cool and a field that is only going to grow. I also have a sister that I am very close in age with. We are sixteen months apart and when we were little I would tell everyone we were twins, which people would believe since my mother dressed us the same. I would love to get to travel to Italy. I have never been out of the country but my mother’s father grew up in Italy until he was 8 and they moved to the US. We have family that still lives there so it would be cool to visit them. Good luck in your classes this semester!
Hello there Kathleen!
ReplyDeleteWow a fellow engineer! Great to meet you! I am so glad that more women are joining the workforce with more man dominant fields. It is really great to see humanity coming closer together among all the bad things we see on the media all the time. Engineering is incredibly exciting because people like you and me get to solve problems that make peoples lives better, progress humanity, and sometimes save lives. That is why we get paid so much :)
good meeting you!
Hey Kathleen,
ReplyDeleteIt's great to meet you. I think your desire to better systems for human interaction is commendable and very cool! As for your travels to Italy, I have to say that I am really envious of you. I have always wanted to travel to Italy, hoping that I will have enough time for one trip before I graduate. Munich sounds a lot of fun, and a whole weekend filled with just drinking beer sounds like a blast!
Good luck to your for the rest of the semester!
Hi Kathleen! I think it is awesome how close you are to your siblings and parents. It sounds like you guys are a close family. Your major also sounds really interesting and I hope it turns out well for you. Lastly, I admire you trying to become a better baker. I have seen that show, but I don’t think I could come close to baking as well as they do.
ReplyDeleteKathleen, I am happy that I finally get to read your introduction! By the way, you can be a queen if you want to! Thank you for explaining your major, as I have never met an Industrial and Systems Engineering student (that I know of) before. It is cool that you want to make human lives easier and that your job will cover a range of applications! Also, you seem to be a very family-oriented person, and I think that that is always respectable! Some people either do not have a supportive family or they do not realize how fortunate they are! Also, it is awesome that you have an adopted sister! I'm looking forward to reading your stories!
ReplyDeleteHey there Kathleen! I hope I am finding you well in as we only have a few weeks left in the semester! I hope all of your classes are going well and that you are able to find some free time from school work and have some you time. I have not came across anyone else that shares your major so that is pretty neat! Good luck in the final weeks of the semester and finishing your project!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen! Your title is so stinkin cute. Haha. I had no idea what Industrial and Systems Engineering was till you explained it! What a cool field to be a part of! I guess you have a strong passion for organization. I love that! Wow, studying abroad in Italy sounds like a blast! If I get a chance to go on an adventure like that, I’ll definitely take the leap!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen!
ReplyDeleteIt’s so cool that you got to go to Oktoberfest in Munich! I’ve been to Munich, but it was in the summer, so I didn’t get to experience that, but I’d love to someday! And I also love Great British Baking Show, but I’m only good at baking with a simple recipe. It’s super great to meet you!
Hi Kathleen!
ReplyDeleteSo nice to meet you, even though it's so far into the semester. It sounds like you've done some pretty cool things at your time here at OU. Your major also sounds so interesting, and I always love hearing about people's "whys". Why they came here, and why they chose their major. It always is so fun to hear! I could spend all day long watching Tasty Videos or the Food Network for baking ideas, so you should definitely check those out as well. I wish you the best of luck with the few short weeks left in this semester!
Hi Kathleen! Sounds like you have had a good college experience at OU. I love that you enjoy watching cooking shows. My 10 year old sister and I enjoy watching Food Network shows together. I also studied abroad in Italy but I only went for a 6 week summer program. While I was there I really enjoyed it. I love the differnt cultures you experience while you are in differnt countries.
ReplyDeleteHello Kathleen!
ReplyDeleteI wish my name rhymed with something with something interesting but I guess I am stuck with harmonica. I am glad you explained what your major entails because I was very confused at first, but now it actually sounds interesting. Wow you have a huge family! What was it like to grow up with that many girls in the house?
Hey there, Kathleen!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are doing well at this point in the semester! I know finals is quickly approaching, so you are probably mentally preparing for what is about to arrive. I have been trying to do the same. You have such a large and happy family! It looks like you all genuinely care for and appreciate each other. It reminds me of my family (except I have all brothers). Your major sounds really cool and interesting! I am sure you will excel in your future career path. I wish you the best of luck for finals!
Hi Kathleen! Your family sounds amazing! I'm an only child but growing up with four sisters must have been a lot of fun. It's so cool that you studied abroad for a whole semester. I'm study abroad this summer in Scotland but it's just for a month. Your crazy trip to Oktoberfest reminded me of the time it took my family 36 hours to get to Hawaii. Trips like that always make the best stories though! Good luck with the rest of the semester and it was nice to meet you before the end of class!
ReplyDeleteHello Kathleen! Your major sounds very interesting and your explanation helped me gain a better understanding about it. I always wanted to travel abroad and had a chance to during my sophomore year but I never took it. I regret it after hearing a lot of good things about studying abroad. Hope you have a great rest of the semester!
ReplyDeleteHi, Kathleen! I can’t imagine having four sisters, I can barely deal with one. I would also like to be good at baking, watching cooking shows hypes me up but then when I get to it, I’m not that great. So I wish you luck on improving your baking skills. I’m glad that you enjoyed your time abroad. I wish you luck on the last few days of this semester and your finals!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen! I really like the way you described your major — I think a lot of people find STEM areas kind of intimidating, but you described your major in such a nice, non-intimidating way. I've heard such great things about the Great British Baking Show and really hope I can watch it over winter break! I also love baking, so I bet I'd enjoy it. Hope you have a wonderful finals week and a relaxing break!
ReplyDeleteHey Kathleen,
ReplyDeleteFirst off I love your title! You did a great job describing yourself and letting us into your world. I loved how you talked about your family and how close you seem to be. I am bummed I didn’t get to know you earlier in the semester. Good luck on finishing up your finals and finishing the class!