Hello!! My name is Ali Sylvester, and I am going to tell you a little about myself.
Childhood/Family
I was Sooner Born and Sooner Bred (actually). I have lived in Oklahoma my whole life. I am 21 years old and the oldest of 3 children. Although my parents are divorced so it gets a little complicated with "sides of the family". I have a brother who is 15 named Joseph and a brother who is 9 named Greyson, and they are both so incredibly important to me. I have 3 dogs all under 2 years old who I love dearly. Rousey, Oakley, and Ruger (Ruger is my favorite, by far).
(image information: personal photo of my brother and I on my birthday)
(image information: personal photo of Rousey)
(image information: personal photo of Oakley)
(image information: personal photo of Ruger)
Education/Career
I am a Junior at The University of Oklahoma. I have 30 hours left until I graduate. Time flies in college!?!? I am a Communication major minoring in Public Affairs and Administration. There are so many things I love about my major, but my absolute favorite part about studying communication is that it can be applied to absolutely anything. I hope to graduate in December 2017 and continue working.
I currently work in ministry at Victory Family Church in Norman, Oklahoma. I am beyond passionate about my work because I get to bridge the gap between people and systems. How cool is that!? I believe I am called into ministry, and I have found that when I aligned my passions (people and analyzing) with my purpose (glorifying God’s kingdom and loving His people), this job couldn’t be a better fit for me.
Favorites/Facts/Other
I absolutely love the mountains.
I love mountain activities. Hiking and downhill skiing are two of my absolute favorite hobbies.
I love iced coffee is all seasons. Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter.
I am legally blind in my right eye and it is uncorrectable.
My dream job is to be the person who chooses the entire soundtracks to movies and television shows. (whatever that might be called).
I have an irrational and overwhelming phobia of police and I have no idea why.
I have never seen Starwars or Star Trek or all of the Harry Potter movies.
My favorite move it Beauty and the Beast.
I am currently learning Piano.
Funny Story
When I was 12, I thought I was going to be on Broadway. I memorized entire plays and sang/acted/danced my heart out (around the house). I thought I was INCREDIBLE.. mostly because my mom always told me I was. Then in 6th grade, I tried out for the lead in the musical put on by our Drama department called "Quack Jr.". Guess what, not only did I not get the lead, but I didn't make the musical at all. I was baffled because my mom thought I was great... HAHA. It was then I realized maybe I am not as good as I thought. BYE-BYE Broadway dreams.
When I was 12, I thought I was going to be on Broadway. I memorized entire plays and sang/acted/danced my heart out (around the house). I thought I was INCREDIBLE.. mostly because my mom always told me I was. Then in 6th grade, I tried out for the lead in the musical put on by our Drama department called "Quack Jr.". Guess what, not only did I not get the lead, but I didn't make the musical at all. I was baffled because my mom thought I was great... HAHA. It was then I realized maybe I am not as good as I thought. BYE-BYE Broadway dreams.
How great that you are learning to play the piano, Ali! My husband knows how to play, and that's something I really want to do: it is right at the top of the list of totally-fun-things-to-do-when-I-retire. And just like with your Broadway dreams, it's good to do things to satisfy yourself first: that way, even if you don't get the public recognition you deserve (the world can be harsh, that's for sure), you are still having a good time and learning as you go! I am learning Hindi right now... very slowly. But I am definitely having fun and learning, which is the goal.
ReplyDeleteAnd I also have to say that your dogs are SO CUTE: maybe they can be the stars in some stories you write for class this semester. :-)
Hi Ali!! I'm originally from Plano,TX but I have absolutely loved my time here in Oklahoma and hope you kids grow up sooner fans!! I also love Mountain/outdoor activities. I have family that lives up in Breckenridge, CO and some of my favorite memories include time that I've spent up there in the summers and winters. Please tell me you have at least seen a few of the Harry Potter movies, wow they are the best. I hope you had a great weekend!!
ReplyDeleteI can recall turning on a Harry Potter movie once or twice, but I can not say for certain I ever finished an entire one, and I definitely didn't watch them all. Sorry to disappoint. HAHA
DeleteHello Ali! I see you're really excited about graduation as am I, time does really fly by fast it feels like yesterday that I was a freshman. I also love to hike, I hiked the Wichita Mts not to long ago and it was amazing. If you ever get the chance I recommend checking out the Blue Ridge Mountains/ Shenandoah for hiking. I definitely think you should give Star Wars a shot haha. I look forward to this course together.
ReplyDeleteHi, Ali! Your dogs are the freaking cutest. I tried to pet my laptop screen. I really hope you haven't told Rouser and Oakley that Ruger is your favorite, haha. I am also a communication major, so that's cool! We also share the same favorite thing about communication. It's the reason I switched from accounting.
ReplyDeleteHi Ali! That’s so great that you have so many dogs. They all look so sweet and I love the little motivational paper around Ruger’s neck! I also thought it was a little crazy because I have a golden retriever puppy that is named Ruger too! I think its cool that you love the mountains. Hiking is one of my favorite hobbies too. Where are your favorite places to go do mountain activities? I always love finding new places to hike.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to hear about how you are passionate about your spirituality. I too often work along side my church in the city, but more along the lines of music ministry and youth ministry. I play bass, and work for sound/tech for many church camps each year here in Oklahoma. I truly believe that a healthy being is someone who has a healthy mind, body and spirit.
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ReplyDeleteAli, it's so nice to meet you and get know a few things about you. I'm Sooner born and bred as well. I said that I was going to be at OU since elementary school. My mom, dad, and old sister all went to OU. Now, I'm so excited that I get to share the bond that we all have as Sooners. I love how you are so passionate about God and your church. I am involved with ministry as well at my dad's church, he's the pastor. I sing on the praise and worship team. I really love being able to minister to God's people through music. Also, you said you work at Victory Family Church? You may know one of my friends, Makenzie Hill who works there as well.
DeleteAli, I've lived in Oklahoma my entire life too! It's kind of boring to be honest. My parents are also divorced. I think the split up when I was about 13 or so, it definitely gets complicated. I'm in college and still go back and forth between houses every other month. That is so awesome that you were called to the ministry! I highly recommend watching the Harry Potter series. One of my favorites by a long shot! All of your dogs are adorable. I hope when I move out to get a puppy and probably a kitten too! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi stranger! I had no idea that you were taking this class! I obviously had to chose you from group 11 to comment on this week! I really enjoyed your fun fact section, I had no idea that your'e legally blind in one eye! All that time dancing and singing in U-Sing and you never told me that! Your pups were definitely my favorite part though, thank you for including such cute pictures of them, I always love getting to see other peoples pretty animals! The photo of Ruger with the good luck sign was just too cute to handle! Can't wait to read more from you throughout the semester!
ReplyDeleteHey, Ali! Isn't it crazy how fast college has flown by? I'm graduating in May and I still don't know how I feel about it. The pictures of your dogs are adorable, especially the one of Ruger with the "Good Luck" sign. Animals make everything so much better. Also, the Harry Potter books & movies are amazing and I highly recommend you read/watch them if you get a chance to.
ReplyDeleteHi Ali. I am also the oldest of three. I have a younger sister and brother. I am so glad to know I’m not the only one left that hasn’t seen the Harry Potter movies. I’ve also wanted to learn how to play the piano, but I never got the chance. It’s better late than never right? I just think the piano is one of the most beautiful instruments. I’m just not musically talented. Haha. It was nice to meet you, Ali!
ReplyDeleteAli, I really enjoyed reading about you, and I’m just going to go ahead and start by saying that it’s really nice to meet you! We also seem to have a lot in common! I really love my dogs back home and activities in the mountains as well. I’m very much into hiking and camping and it’s cool to find another person who is as well! By the way, I’m so glad to see that there’s someone out there who also appreciates that Beauty and the Beast is one of the best movies ever! Anyways, it was nice to get to know you!
ReplyDeleteIt’s so cool that you’ve found a job that combines the major you love and your calling—it sounds like you’re doing great work there, and I hope the graduation transition goes well for you. Your Broadway story cracked me up, too. I mean, it’s kind of tragic for 12-year-old Ali, but you know. I never understood why my aunt told my cousin flat-out that he couldn’t sing, till I accidentally encouraged him and he decided he was trying out for his talent show, haha. Looking forward to reading your stories!
ReplyDeleteHi Ali! This is my extra credit blog post, and I actually picked you because of your name.. Let me explain. Most people don't spell it like you do. But my sister's name is Ali!! Ali Jo. I seriously have never met someone who spells it like her so thats so cool! She was named after the actress Ali McGraw. Any who, love your pups! They are so cute. And I also think it's great you are into ministry. I have been wanting to get involved some how but have been struggling with that, so maybe we could chat about that! :) PS. You should watch Harry Potter!!!! Nice to meet you Ali!
ReplyDeleteHi Ali! It is great that you are enjoying your major as well as enjoying what you are doing for your current job. It is also great that you are learning how to play the piano :D I played the piano when I was 4 and I absolutely hated going to lesson, but now that I am in college, it is something I can do to help myself relax. It is nice reading through your introduction and I hope that all of your dreams come true! I wish you the best of luck in the future!
ReplyDeleteHey again!! I see that we are in the same group again, and it has been great seeing how your blog has grown! I look forward to reading your story from this week. Hope you had a great weekend!!
ReplyDeleteAli,
ReplyDeleteIt is been so nice to get to know you. Your dogs are adorable! I wish I had a dog or a cat. Maybe I can get one this summer. I also liked the facts you shared. One in particular was the phobia of police. I actually think that this is quite common. I believe I also have it. I get so paranoid when I am around a cop. You want to be the person that picks the soundtrack to a movie that is a pretty sweet dream and I hope you accomplish it! The fact that you are blind in one eye is insane. If you do not mind me asking, how did it happen? Glad to see your still making the most out of life! Good Luck on the rest of this semester!
Hi Ali, I enjoyed reading your introduction and I am a Comm major as well. I loved reading about your faith and if we put our trust in God, then he will pave the way for us! What made you decide on Comm as a major? Where in Oklahoma do you go hiking? I have always wanted to, but never knew where the good hiking spots are. Good luck with you studies and for almost graduating!
ReplyDeleteHi Ali! I really enjoyed reading about you. I do have to say, I would HIGHLY recommend watching the Harry Potter movies, at the very least; if you can bring yourself to watch Star Wars and Star Trek, they're awesome.
ReplyDeleteI love the mountains too, and I really enjoyed the pictures of your sweet puppies. Keep doing you girl! I look forward to reading some of your stories.
Hey Ali, nice to meet you! Your brothers are adorable and so are your dogs! Ruger is very cute and I could see why he would be your favorite ahaha! I love chocolate labs! They are the best! It seems like you have a good grasp on what you want in your life! Good luck with it all! I go to Victory Family as well! I love it!
ReplyDeleteHi Ali!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you! Your dogs are absolutely adorable. I have a German Shepherd myself, but I wish I had more. The more dogs, the better! I also relate you having a love for iced coffee any time of the year. Do you have a favorite coffee place? I also read that your favorite movie is Beauty and the Beast! Did you see the new one recently? My family saw it, but I was unable to go. I heard it is absolutely amazing. I hope your semester is going well, and wish you luck with your future! Nice to meet you!!!
Pleased to meet you Ali. Still find it hard to believe that there are still people in this class that I have not yet encountered and you are one of them! We are both sooner born and sooner bred but unlike you I got to grow up in this great town! Sorry to hear your broad way dreams got crushed. But my nba dreams got crushed when I learned that I was an nonathletic white kid who is only 5'11". Somehow we manage!
ReplyDeleteI also have a dog that is named Oakley (he is about 1.5 years old so they are close in age as well). I agree that time definitely does fly in college. It seems like I have not been here too long but I am already getting ready for graduation in May. Enjoy the last year that you have here!
ReplyDeleteHi Ali! That’s so awesome you are so close with your siblings! I bet it’s never boring at your family’s house since you three are all going through different stages of life. I can only image the excitement your three puppies add to the mix too! I am a senior so I can definitely agree with you on how much time flies in college! Congrats on graduating early in December!
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