Living around a major city has many perks. Atlanta, Georgia is one of the most diverse cities in the world. There is no telling who you will meet and what you can learn from them. I decided to take advantage of that fact. While I was at the 7th Annual Atlanta Ice Cream Festival at Piedmont Park on July 22, I decided to interview a stranger and here is what I learned.
Meet Samantha! She was sitting next to me eating ice cream and I decided to ask her some questions. She did not want her picture taken for personal reasons that we will respect but here is what I learned about her.
Samantha is a 19-year-old from Tuscan, Arizona and is currently in school in downtown Atlanta. Her favorite color is teal and her favorite food is mashed potatoes. She's majoring in psychology with hopes of becoming a family therapist.
1. Why did you move to Atlanta?
"Mainly for the new opportunities, but it was for my mom because she remarried". From the first few questions, Samantha and I already shared something in common involving our family life. It amazed me because we already had an instant connection.
2. Why do you want to be a family therapist?
"Well, my family is oh so dysfunctional, and I want to be able to help other families before it was too late".
3. What is your most embarrassing memory?
"I peed and pooped on myself in 8th grade. I was sitting in class and felt like something was off and then the nightmare began." I cringed as I felt her pain because I did the same thing in 6th grade thanks to testing anxiety and had to go home.
4. Favorite memory?
"Anytime I'm hanging out with my friends. We just have the best time... especially when we eat food".
5. Favorite quote?
"'Do you think I'm cute? yes or no? yes, ha ha' It is from a vine and the little girl was adorable. So, I have adopted that quote because it makes me happy". I laughed too because her laugh was so contagious and we continued our conversation about how Vine is dead. RIP
6. Favorite Movie or TV Show?
"'Bob Burgers' because it is literally me".
7. What is something you've learned about life so far?
"It has been hard, but I've learned that life doesn't go how you what it to. You have to learn how to adjust and change can be good." These are some lessons that I have to be constantly reminded of and it was refreshing to hear it from someone who doesn't even know me.
We ended the conversation with a hug and by following each other on social media, but although I only asked her a few questions, I learned a lot from her. I learned that as humans, we are all connected by some experience if we are willing to share. Like myself, Samantha was a pretty open person and being vulnerable with a stranger was not an issue (maybe because we will probably never see each other again). We laughed, discussed tough topics and just enjoyed each other's company. So thank you, Samantha, for an awesome chat and although the ice cream was good, it was refreshing to connect with a human soul.
