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Tuesday, March 15, 2011

White LDS Third Daughter of Two Psychologists

I interrupt the ordinary posts on this blog to bring you an assignment for my Secondary Education: Multiculturalism class. This is my "cultural diorama;" objects that represent me, my values, and my past.


This 'H', handmade for me by my oldest sister Jaime, reflects my own love for crafting and making things. I am not very creative on my own, but I have found peace and success in seeing what others make and then piggybacking off their ideas.

Jaime also knew my love for music, which has played a large part in my life. I took piano lessons for a year as a child, but stopped them and have since practiced on my own instead. Singing in choirs and musicals and participating in the band program throughout public school gave me my identity, my friends, and my niche. Much of why I enjoyed high school so much and why I had a overwhelmingly happy adolescence was my association with the music programs in my school.

Lastly, this 'H' represents my name, Hilary. Here in Utah I have not found it to be very unique, but at home I rejoiced in being the only Hilary for miles around. Having a name that set me apart became a core part of who I wanted to be; I wanted to be somebody people could remember.



This basket full of Ensigns graces our living room in my apartment. This display combines my love for my religion and beliefs with my desire to create visually-pleasing environments. One day I was tired of how boring all our Ensigns looked just sitting flat on the table, so I rolled them up into the basket. My "decorating desire" has led me to many OCD-like behaviors including the need to straighten pictures, pick things up off the floor, and always have a clean and welcoming atmosphere for guests. I think that this want to visually please other people (through artwork, cleanliness, etc.) also stems from my desire to personally please people.

That desire also includes wanting to please Christ, which is reflected in my recent promises to myself that I will read the Ensign every night. Having these Ensigns sitting in our living room staring me in the face constantly reminds me of that promise!



My sisters molded me into who I am. They taught me about the big things and how I wanted to make decisions in my own life by choosing their own way before me. They also taught me how to be scared of the dark and be disgusted by bodily functions and things every girl should know. I have not always had a great relationship with all of my sisters, but my struggles with them have made me into the girl I am today.

Our parents (or at least my dad), as a note, actually wanted eight daughters. So the atmosphere we grew up in was very girl-friendly and accepting to groom us all into independent, powerful women.

1 comment:

Dallas, Dad, Big D & I said...

Which you are growing into very well (powerful woman that is). I like the things you chose and I especially like the way you see that these things represent and symbolize things that are important to you and in you.