Rockstar
Ever wanted to know more than what's on the bio of a certain columnist? Well this is place to get to know the inner-workings of the hard working staff members of PurplePJs!
Kaitlin - Columnist for Master Chef and Political Party
Just like a few of our other Columnists, Kaitlin writes for two pages. But behind the recipes and political stuff, there's a real person, so let's meet her!
She is 23 years old, and lives in Michigan. She already has a bachelor's degree in music, and went to the University of Michigan for Graduate School (although not for music!). But U of M isn't really exactly what she expected, and so instead of continuing, she is taking a year off to volunteer with the AmeriCorps (of which she says she's 'totally pumped and excited for!'). And at her 'permanent address' (her family home), along with her parents and her brother, there's almost 10 animals! They have a dog, a couple of cats and six dwarf hamsters. But although she's completed her degree and done some Grad School, she still has no idea what she wants to do with her life!
Who Is Kaitlin?
She is 23 years old, and lives in Michigan. She already has a bachelor's degree in music, and went to the University of Michigan for Graduate School (although not for music!). But U of M isn't really exactly what she expected, and so instead of continuing, she is taking a year off to volunteer with the AmeriCorps (of which she says she's 'totally pumped and excited for!'). And at her 'permanent address' (her family home), along with her parents and her brother, there's almost 10 animals! They have a dog, a couple of cats and six dwarf hamsters. But although she's completed her degree and done some Grad School, she still has no idea what she wants to do with her life!
The Interview!
PurplePJs: How did you find PurplePJs and what caused you to apply to be a Columnist?
Kaitlin: I found PurplePJs by Googling the phrase "ask a guy". I had been having some trouble understanding what was going on with a guy that I kinda liked and needed advice. And of course, Ask A Guy was the first link that Google gave me! I got hooked on the site, and soon applied to be a columnist for several different pages. Writing is something that I love doing, and I already loved the site. Nothing ever came of that application though, and when Master Chef opened up earlier this year, I applied specifically for that page, and a week or so later, I got an offer to write for it!
PurplePJs: You currently write for both Master Chef and Political Party. How are they both going, and what inspires you to continue being the columnist for these pages?
Kaitlin: Master Chef is going wonderfully! I started writing for it in February, and each month I get a few more submissions, which totally thrills me. Personally, I really enjoy cooking, but I have to say that I'm much better at baking. I love being able to create new themes, and I especially enjoy answering reader questions! I would have to say that Political Party is a bit harder than Master Chef, because it's still a new page, and doesn't get very many submissions at all. However, even though I don't always know everything that is going on in the world of politics, I think it is interesting subject matter and that is what keeps me writing.
PurplePJs: Do you ever use the recipes that get sent into Master Chef?
Kaitlin: Well, some of the recipes that I post are family recipes that I have made lots of times! Others than that, I can't say that I've used any of the recipes - I know that is probably really bad of me! However, I do choose recipes that have been reviewed several times and have positive reviews. I always intend to use the recipes, and then forget... thank heavens for the archive!
PurplePJs: For Political Party, how do you stay neutral when covering certain topics?
Kaitlin: Simply by remembering that while I may believe something is true, there are always going to be others who believe the opposite. Neither party is wrong they just have different opinions. I also try to include topics from around the world, since PurplePJs has readers, and writers, from all over.
PurplePJs: Describe yourself in five words.
Kaitlin: Adventurous, friendly, dedicated, passionate, loving.
PurplePJs: If you could travel ahead five years in time, where would FutureKaitlin be in her life?
Kaitlin: I don't even know where I am in my life right now, haha! But, since this is an "if" question, let's dream big. I would love to be working on starting a non-profit organization in Detroit with some of my friends. This has been a big topic of conversation between one of my good friends and myself for a couple of months now. We've been planning, talking to people, and mostly just trying to figure out how we could make it work, but I'm hoping and praying that someday our dream will come true. The City of Detroit is really special to many of my group of friends, and there is a lot of work that could be done to improve the city!
PurplePJs: If you could have something named after you, what would it be and why?
Kaitlin: What an interesting question! I would love to have a Penguin Zoo named after me. I freely admit that I am obsessed with penguins, and how AWESOME would it be to have an entire zoo with just penguins??? I think that would be fantastic!
PurplePJs: What is your greatest skill?
Kaitlin: Oh gosh, that's a hard one. I guess I would have to say that my greatest skill is in organizing and making things happen. I love to plan activities and events, and I have no problem talking people into coming to such events. I love my friends dearly, and any chance I get to hang out with them, I am always glad to organize. Of course, this skill goes beyond just my group of friends and into whatever job or other responsibilities I possess as well.
PurplePJs: What book are you currently reading?
Kaitlin: I'm actually reading a couple of different books right now. One is called Under The Overpass by Mike Yankoski. This book is about two college-aged guys who decide to live as homeless people for six months, and the experiences and challenges they faced during that time. I bought it in a bookstore a few weeks ago, and am now re-reading the book and journaling about it at the same time.
The other book that I’m reading is a fantasy trilogy called The Last Herald Mage by Mercedes Lackey, my all time favorite author. I’ve actually read this book quite a few times as well, but it is an old favorite and I try to read it every year or so.
PurplePJs: What is the one thing you'd most like to achieve in life?
Kaitlin: I would love nothing more than to be able to affect positive, lasting change on as much of the world as possible. I’d also like to be able to constantly be volunteering, which would probably help with that goal.
PurplePJs: Well that's all the questions I have for you. Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Kaitlin: Sure! I would just like to thank my fellow PurplePJs friends who chose me to be interviewed this month! I am so flattered and I just want you to know that you are all fabulous people and I enjoy being on the writing team with you. Thanks also to the readers, because you are what keep this site interesting and new every day! And that’s the end of my little acceptance speech. =)
Kaitlin: I found PurplePJs by Googling the phrase "ask a guy". I had been having some trouble understanding what was going on with a guy that I kinda liked and needed advice. And of course, Ask A Guy was the first link that Google gave me! I got hooked on the site, and soon applied to be a columnist for several different pages. Writing is something that I love doing, and I already loved the site. Nothing ever came of that application though, and when Master Chef opened up earlier this year, I applied specifically for that page, and a week or so later, I got an offer to write for it!
PurplePJs: You currently write for both Master Chef and Political Party. How are they both going, and what inspires you to continue being the columnist for these pages?
Kaitlin: Master Chef is going wonderfully! I started writing for it in February, and each month I get a few more submissions, which totally thrills me. Personally, I really enjoy cooking, but I have to say that I'm much better at baking. I love being able to create new themes, and I especially enjoy answering reader questions! I would have to say that Political Party is a bit harder than Master Chef, because it's still a new page, and doesn't get very many submissions at all. However, even though I don't always know everything that is going on in the world of politics, I think it is interesting subject matter and that is what keeps me writing.
PurplePJs: Do you ever use the recipes that get sent into Master Chef?
Kaitlin: Well, some of the recipes that I post are family recipes that I have made lots of times! Others than that, I can't say that I've used any of the recipes - I know that is probably really bad of me! However, I do choose recipes that have been reviewed several times and have positive reviews. I always intend to use the recipes, and then forget... thank heavens for the archive!
PurplePJs: For Political Party, how do you stay neutral when covering certain topics?
Kaitlin: Simply by remembering that while I may believe something is true, there are always going to be others who believe the opposite. Neither party is wrong they just have different opinions. I also try to include topics from around the world, since PurplePJs has readers, and writers, from all over.
PurplePJs: Describe yourself in five words.
Kaitlin: Adventurous, friendly, dedicated, passionate, loving.
PurplePJs: If you could travel ahead five years in time, where would FutureKaitlin be in her life?
Kaitlin: I don't even know where I am in my life right now, haha! But, since this is an "if" question, let's dream big. I would love to be working on starting a non-profit organization in Detroit with some of my friends. This has been a big topic of conversation between one of my good friends and myself for a couple of months now. We've been planning, talking to people, and mostly just trying to figure out how we could make it work, but I'm hoping and praying that someday our dream will come true. The City of Detroit is really special to many of my group of friends, and there is a lot of work that could be done to improve the city!
PurplePJs: If you could have something named after you, what would it be and why?
Kaitlin: What an interesting question! I would love to have a Penguin Zoo named after me. I freely admit that I am obsessed with penguins, and how AWESOME would it be to have an entire zoo with just penguins??? I think that would be fantastic!
PurplePJs: What is your greatest skill?
Kaitlin: Oh gosh, that's a hard one. I guess I would have to say that my greatest skill is in organizing and making things happen. I love to plan activities and events, and I have no problem talking people into coming to such events. I love my friends dearly, and any chance I get to hang out with them, I am always glad to organize. Of course, this skill goes beyond just my group of friends and into whatever job or other responsibilities I possess as well.
PurplePJs: What book are you currently reading?
Kaitlin: I'm actually reading a couple of different books right now. One is called Under The Overpass by Mike Yankoski. This book is about two college-aged guys who decide to live as homeless people for six months, and the experiences and challenges they faced during that time. I bought it in a bookstore a few weeks ago, and am now re-reading the book and journaling about it at the same time.
The other book that I’m reading is a fantasy trilogy called The Last Herald Mage by Mercedes Lackey, my all time favorite author. I’ve actually read this book quite a few times as well, but it is an old favorite and I try to read it every year or so.
PurplePJs: What is the one thing you'd most like to achieve in life?
Kaitlin: I would love nothing more than to be able to affect positive, lasting change on as much of the world as possible. I’d also like to be able to constantly be volunteering, which would probably help with that goal.
PurplePJs: Well that's all the questions I have for you. Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Kaitlin: Sure! I would just like to thank my fellow PurplePJs friends who chose me to be interviewed this month! I am so flattered and I just want you to know that you are all fabulous people and I enjoy being on the writing team with you. Thanks also to the readers, because you are what keep this site interesting and new every day! And that’s the end of my little acceptance speech. =)
The Photos!
Kaitlin (centre) with friends Kristen (left) and Nina (right) at camp:
Kaitlin and her brother David:
Kaitlin's dwarf hamster Scruffie in an escape attempt:
Kaitlin and her brother David:
Kaitlin's dwarf hamster Scruffie in an escape attempt: