Firstly, my name is Allison Murphey, but you can refer to me either as Allison or Alli - either way is fine! I am twenty-two years old and a senior at OU. I am majoring in French, but I am also minoring in English Writing and Studio Art, but I'll get into that a little bit more later. I am married - just over one year now! - and my husband is also a student at the University of Oklahoma. He is currently working on a Master's degree in the field of Electrical and Computer Engineering, focusing on radar. My husband's name is Alan (I know, Alan and Alli - Al^2), and he's pretty much the best.
Originally, I am from Iowa, but I've lived in Oklahoma for four years now, and since I got married here, I'm an Oklahoma resident now! I've really enjoyed living in Oklahoma while I've been here, and I'm really grateful for the opportunity I've had to study at OU.
Now, the question people always ask when they hear that my degree is in French is, "What are you planning to do with that?" Fair enough question, so I'll answer it for you! My long-term goal is to do Third World mission work, and a great deal of Third World and developing countries speak French or French-variant languages. For example, I've spent a good deal of time working at an orphanage in Haiti, where Haitian Creole is the most commonly spoken language. Haitian Creole is a French-based Creole, so my knowledge of French has been hugely instrumental in assisting me as I learn Creole, and I have been far better able to communicate with people there because of it. Similarly, many other impoverished island nations - and many developing nations in Africa - speak French or French creoles or pidgins. So, the hope is that French will be useful to me in communicating with the people I hope to work with. My art minor is simply for my own enjoyment, but the writing minor is with the intention/hope of publishing about the work I do in these nations and perhaps helping others learn more about what they can do to help as well.
After I graduate from OU, and while my husband works toward his Professional Engineer title, I hope to get my RN certification and become a nurse, which will be extremely useful to me in my aforementioned career goals as well. Ultimately, I would love to work in a village clinic or orphanage clinic and help provide health care and health education in areas where it is severely lacking.
My other interests include drawing/painting, ceramics, and reading. If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments! Below is a picture of my fantastic cat, Atticus (the Catticus) Boots Murphey!
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I am so intrigued by your French major. I have always wanted to become fluent in a second language! I took Spanish for 4 years, but none of it really stuck, which was pretty disappointing. I think your professional aspirations are amazing and I love that you are wanting to help people. You also seem like you are a very creative person with your interests being in drawing, painting, etc. Unfortunately, everyone in my family got an artistic gene except me... I am the least creative person I know.
ReplyDeleteHey Allison,
ReplyDeleteYou and my sister have the French thing in common! She loves French and has been taking it since high school. Congrats on the marriage! I think it is very awesome that you want to help third world countries. So often most people do degrees that will make them a ton of money while the only occasional few works to help others once they get out of school. It interesting to learn that developing nations speak French because I never knew that. I have a feeling that you will do great work with them and help improve the lives of many. What is your favorite movie of all time?
Hi Alli! I think your major and your career path are so cool. It would be so awesome to have a career where you can work and help out in communities like those in Haiti. I went on a medical brigade to Honduras a few summers ago, and it was amazing to get to help out in rural clinics and learn about local perspectives and healthcare needs. It really opens your eyes to how privileged we are in America to have such easy access to healthcare. I think you'd do a great job. By the way, your cat is super cute!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, a French major: this is exciting, Alli! A French major who speaks Creole! That is great! This whole summer I have been kicking myself for not studying French in school because I want to be able to enjoy all the Francophone and Creole folktales of the Caribbean, like these Stories from Trinidad. For example, since I know the folktale type, I can kind-of sort-of barely read this story about how Rabbit tricks Whale and Elephant into a contest: BLAINE EPI 'LEPHANT FAI UN PAWI. I'm guessing you can read it with no problem!
ReplyDeleteSo, if you are interested for your class project in working with Creole texts from the Caribbean, let me know: I can supply you with lots of Creole stories. And it sounds like in all kinds of ways this class will resonate with interests and let you explore some resources and skills that will be useful to you in the future, which is always good to see.
And of course it's always good to see cats: your Atticus is adorable! Maybe he will make an appearance in a story of his own. :-)
Hi, Alli, it’s very nice to meet you! I’m studying art at OU, so if you’re taking any studio art classes we might run into each other! Congratulations on your first year of marriage, very exciting! I didn’t know French was the most-spoken language in Haiti (you learn something new every day). I think you have awesome goals and I support you on your philanthropic journey! Anyhow, I’m excited to read your future blog posts in mythology and folklore. If you ever want to meet up and talk about class (and maybe work on some art), then I’m down! Until next time, then. PS: your cat Atticus is very cute.
ReplyDeleteHey Alli! I think your career choice is absolutely fantastic. It's amazing that I can tell how motivated and passionate you are about third world mission work through a few simple paragraphs alone (I'd say your writing minor is coming along swimmingly!). I also think it's great that you chose to pursue a minor in Studio Art solely because you enjoy it; I'd love to see some pictures of your artwork. I hope this semester goes well for you!
ReplyDeleteHi Alli! Your cat is so pretty. I think it's great that you are learning French before you try to work in areas with French speaking people. A lot of folks just fly in there and hope for the best. ;) Congrats ood luck with your future endeavors.
ReplyDeleteMy grandparents were French Canadian so I grew up hearing French. It's such a lovely language. I wish I had learned it myself. Maybe someday!
Hi Alli,
ReplyDeleteI love your picture of Atticus, he's so cute! I've been wanting to get a little friend while I'm in college and a cat seems like a good fit for my time commitment as of now! I think it's amazing that you have your future plans so well thought out and a road map on how to get there! On top of that learning new language is no easy task! Congratulations on the work you've been able to complete with the orphanage in Haiti.
Hi Allison!
ReplyDeleteYour cat is so cute! I really admire your passion! I love that you are doing what you are passionate about and you love what you do! I like how everything you have done and will do will tie into your future goals! I am happy you have found your calling! I hope you have a wonderful semester! I look forward to reading more of your story! I really enjoyed the ivory girl!
Hi Alli,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your recent marriage! I feel so happy when other people are able to find their life partner. That's cool that your husband is going for a master's in ECE. It's not too far off from my own major which is Computer Science. I think it's great that you want to do mission work. The world could always use more caring people such as yourself.
Hi Alli! I think that your French skills are awesome, and I have no doubt that you will be able to do great things with your degree one day. That is really cool that you want to get your RN certification after graduation. Lastly, your cat is so cute!! Atticus the Catticus, I love it. Best of luck to you in your senior year.
ReplyDeleteHi Alli! I took French for three semesters and fell in love with it; so I can see why you chose to major in it! I think your future career goals are so inspiring and so attainable. I can tell from your post that you are very kind and servant-hearted, you will do great things! I am interested to read all your stories this semester; are you looking for the more French-like stories? Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteHi Alli!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading about your major! I haven't met a lot of French majors, so I've never really thought a lot about what someone would do with that degree, but that's incredible how you want to use your degree to serve in developing countries. And I'm sure with your passion and dedication that you'll do really well in this field. I also love drawing and painting in my free time. Atticus the Catticus! Haha so cute!
Hi Alli!
ReplyDeleteI think that's awesome that you're so sure about what you want to do in the future, and especially that it's such an amazing thing to do! And help people. French and Italian are some of the prettiest languages and I'd love to learn them one day. Also, your cat is so cute and I love the name! I have a minor in art as well and I love it. I am looking forward to reading your stories - that would be so cool if you could incorporate some French into them so the rest of us could learn a little!
Alli,
ReplyDeleteReading about your passions and interests is so encouraging. I love that you have been able to find a way to discover tangible goals for yourself with those passions! That can be very difficult for people, but it seems like you are doing a fantastic job doing so. Congrats on the one year anniversary as well! It is so awesome that you and your husband get to experience school together and all the highs and lows of it all.
Hey Alli!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading about you in your introduction! I am writing this with my cat in my lap, so we share a common love for these cuddly creatures! Bless your husband's soul for getting a masters degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is so brave. I cannot even imagine how difficult that is. Good luck with all your stories!
Hi Alli,
ReplyDeleteIt is awesome that your major is French! I always wondered what a language major would equip with me, and you showed me exactly how! I am bilingual, so I guess we have something in common - both of us can speak two languages. Wishing you the best of luck in your senior year and hope everything goes smoothly.
Hi Alli! I love what you want to do with your life! Learning French for mission work in third world countries is awesome! I've never been to Haiti, but I was in the Dominican Republic once and did a service project in Friusa where the villagers spoke french! Also it's great that you are wanting to become a nurse as well! Would you plan to travel for a few years doing mission work first and then get your nursing degree and then continue that service? Anyways I hope all that goes well and I am looking forward to reading your stories!
ReplyDeleteHi Allison! It is great to meet you via online. First, I am shocked how many people I still have not met although we comment on new blogs each week! I really enjoyed learning more about your life. That is awesome that your major is French. I have also found other languages to be very intriguing and maybe one day I will have the chance to learn a new one! I think your goal in life is very attainable from working hard and it will be very rewarding! Keep pushing we are almost through the semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Alli!
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm sad that it took me til the last week to find your blog! I applaud you for majoring in a language – I tried my best at Chinese and ended up getting enough credits for a minor, but I'm definitely not proficient enough to ever major in it. Also, your cat is precious! Best of luck during finals and during your last semester of senior year!