Born and raised in the great midwestern state of Iowa, I grew up in a family that values laughter over most anything else. I'm fairly certain my mother only married my father because she loves to laugh at his one-liners and my dad found a good and reliable audience in my mom. A match made in comedy heaven.
In conversation, I prefer story telling to topics or heated debates. I love the little details in a story that help you catch the spirit of a moment even if you weren't there to experience it for yourself. I've been known to make questionable decisions because I knew it would lead to an adventure and a good story later. I can't help myself sometimes!
My all-time least favorite question is, "What do you do for a living?" I can't stand the idea that my identity might be wrapped up in a job I perform or what I do rather than who I am. When I met Theron Humphrey (the cool photographer behind this popular blog) he actually asked me, "So, Jen, what do you create here in Des Moines?" I was so thrilled that someone cared enough to avoid the dreaded "career" question that I had no idea what to say! He stumped me. But I have been thinking about it ever since…
In January I'll be leaving my modern downtown apartment and my comfortable life for South Africa, my first stop on the World Race. I am simultaneously ecstatic and petrified about the unknown experiences and people and places and food that lie ahead. One thing is for sure, I am going to have some awesome stories when I get home!
