Who You Are Matters - Karly Kortbein

 My name is Karly and I am from Milwaukee, Wisconsin but currently residing in Los Angeles, California. I am not exactly sure where I am going next, honestly, I’ll go wherever the wind blows, but, I do draw the line at going back to the Midwest. I have imagined a million different versions of myself in a handful of different cities ranging from Newport Beach to London. And although I am not married to a specific future yet, I always make sure to stay informed, stay grounded, and have some sort of short term goal to keep me going.

Even though my parents are 2,000 miles away, I carry them with me everyday through my actions and attitudes. They are both very hardworking and extremely loyal. Seeing them exclude these traits throughout my life inspires me to be the same. Speaking of 2,000 miles away, my parents do not leave home very often. They have every intention of traveling and exploring, but often get caught up with work and choose to cancel or postpone their trips. I, on the other hand, catch flights monthly.

In the past, I operated under the expectations of others because I hadn't been in an environment where I was able to fully develop a true sense of self. Now, I have a much clearer understanding of my personal values and am therefore better at setting goals that are not influenced by the expectations of others. This growth really began when I decided to attend USC instead of the University of Wisconsin, which was the first time I made a decision by myself, for myself, and without considering the (many negative) opinions of those surrounding me.

My best friend serves as a constant model of someone who lives life with great passion and personal responsibility. She always goes after what she wants with genuine commitment and drive, never letting the opinions of others get in her way. Her passions and aspirations are never put on the back burner, and she always makes an effort to do what is right. I strive to have her confidence.

Ever since I was a little kid, I have been obsessed with cheetahs. I had collections of cheetah books, memorized every cheetah fact, and went through a phase where I only wore cheetah print. I think they are so beautiful and I love how fast they can run. Bonus points for how cute cheetah cubs are, my dream is to see one in real life.

When I was little, my family visited Arizona every November to see my aunts and cousins. The highlight of this annual trip was always the same: picking lemons and oranges from the citrus trees in my aunt Penny’s backyard. I was always more drawn to the lemon trees though, and loved to juice them to make lemonade.

Sun sign: proud taurus

Moon sign: pisces

Ascendant: sagittarius