I am who I am

“So Carley, tell me a little bit about yourself”.

This statement seems as though it would be relatively easy to answer, but where do you start? We usually resort to the elevator speech, which is what PR taught us to use when a perspective employer sparks this question in an interview. So here goes. My name is Carley Sampson, from the tiny town of Milford, East Hants. I have two sisters, one older, one younger (one could say I’m the rose between two thorns (-:  ), and I’m a public relations student and…oh look at that, the elevator has stopped at my floor, seeya later! But who am I really, beyond the elevator small talk?

Now, let me base my mumbo-jumbo on one of my favorite quotes: “I’m selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes. I’m out of control and sometimes hard to handle. But if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best.” This of course is by Marilyn Munroe; smart lady!

To put it quite frankly, I’m lots of things; something different to everyone. I’m a daughter, a sister, a friend, a student, an employee. I’m awkward, enthusiastic, caring, and extremely impatient. I’m clumsy, unpredictable, understanding, and a little intense. I have strengths, I have weaknesses. I have successes, and I have failures. I’m confident, but insecure. I have goals for the future, but I’m nervous for what is to come. Despite this varied list of qualities, I was loved unconditionally as a child, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

My parents taught me up from down, and right from wrong, because let’s face it: I could be living on a ceiling on the wrong side of the world if it weren’t for them! They had a few favorite values to instill in us three girls. The famous “treat others the way you want to be treated”, be yourself, and follow your heart, but in an orderly and organized fashion of course (my mom loves organizing things, give her a messy kitchen and she’s in her glory).

When I think about certain situations that I’ve encountered in my life, circumstances that I’ve run into, and relationships that I have formed; I realize that who I am today is a direct reflection of my upbringing. From the time when I was little and lied about eating all of the cookie dough, to deciding on what program I wanted to take in school, my parents have been there to teach me the confusing, yet fascinating ropes of life. I should probably thank them for putting up with me, because let’s face it… I can be prettttty difficult to deal with!

So when I think about what matters most to me, it would most definitely be the values and lessons I’ve accumulated over the years being the rose between two thorns…*cough*…I mean the sister of two wonderful gal’s. (Sorry Candace and Chloee!) And being the daughter of two amazing (yet insane for putting up with me) parents.

My parents are the two most inspiring, motivating, and caring people I know, so I’d like to say that I’m learning from the best. Some say if you want to see how you’ll turn out in the future, look at your parents. Let’s hope that isn’t the case. HA joking! If I turn out anything like mine, I’ll consider myself a pretty lucky gal.

With all of this being said, I guess you could say that I’m still getting to know myself, and I’m completely ok with that. But I know what matters the most to me, and for now, that’s all that matters.