I spotted our next stranger with a friend in one of our city parks called The Green.
Meet Kara.
“I’m a labor and delivery nurse.”
How long have you been doing that? “About a year and four months.”
And what do you think of it so far? “I love it… very challenging, very rewarding.”
Is that something you want to do for a long time? “Yeah, I want to catch babies eventually. I want to be a midwife and catch them.”
What do you like to do for fun? “I like to do yoga. I like to shop, sleep, eat… just hang around the city.”
What advice would you give to your younger self? “That nothing was as serious as it seemed back then. Yeah, just live and be who you want to be and really figure out your voice. Because nobody else can live your life except you. Love yourself. Do your own thing. Have your own voice.”
Was that something that was hard to discover? “Yeah, I think, especially in high school, you’re still living with your parents, so you’re still kind of following what they want you to be. And then you go to college or you venture out into the world and you figure out what you really do like, what makes you tick, what makes you happy. And, after a while, your parents aren’t responsible for you. They do the best they can with your upbringing, but then it’s up to you to make yourself a great person.”
What is your biggest challenge right now? “Adulting… {laughs} Adulting is hard! Work-life balance. And as we’re growing up, my friends, we’re doing different things. People are getting married and having kids. So definitely trying to maintain friendships. Adulting… you know, is hard… but it’s fun.”
How would your friends describe you? “Very spontaneous, but serious. Quiet, but loud. It’s like my life is just like total contradictions. I can be very quiet. I can be very loud. I can be very shy, but then I’m also outgoing. But I’m very loving and loyal, so those things are constant.”
Technical Notes: This photo was taken at the end of the day as the sun was setting. Kara’s face was lit by sunlight bouncing off a nearby building.
Dan Russell-Pinson 