Thursday, February 10, 2011

My Suite-mate and now "SOUl" friend !!

Alot of times we think we know people but the truth is if you don't ask...well we are only assuming...

I reside in a double suite in the West Towers with a student named Tokumba Ade Owalabi. Before my interview I thought I  knew her pretty well. Nigerian background, raised in Brooklyn, NYC,  21, cant cook and loves fashion. Knowing the basics i decided to take this assignment as an opportunity to get to know her a little better. I figured it just made sense to pick her since this is the person I not only share my cooking skills with but a bathroom as well. 
My first question to her was If you had to leave the country today what one item would you take? Tokumba: "My bible, with that i would be bringing along wisdom, strength for my weak moments, love for my soul, and i wouldn't feel alone".  Me: What is the one thing an enemy might say about you that is true but you see nothing wrong with? Tokumba: That I am cocky and brag to much, but what someone who doesn't like or know me might not understand is that i am confident, i love who i am, and that i was raised to walk with my head in the air! I also love fashion and am excited when i get knew things, i don't talk about what i have to brag i do it because i am so excited and absolutely love fashion! Me: How would a good friend of yours describe you? Tokumba: Funny, caring, and very dependable with an "in your face personality". Me: What is it you want to do with your life? Tokumba: I want to get my masters after i graduate with my bachelors in supply chain mangement. When i am done with school i want to work around the world with a business that will allow me to do that. Preferably in Europe or Africa. I want to be successful and  well dressed boss! Me: What makes you the person you are today? Tokumba: everything i have been through and overcome. Me: Can you elaborate on that ? Tokumba: Well i have been heart broken and have had to build my self up on my own. I have had so many family problems that have caused me to have tuff skin. Me: If you could talk to the younger you that didn't have as much knowledge what would you say? Tokumba: I would tell her not to change a thing and to keep doing exactly what she is doing since that is the reason i am who i am today.

After this interview i now feel like i understand my suite-mate a lot more than whats on the surface. If tapped into her soul.

1 comment:

  1. Now that's what I'm talking about--GREAT Questions!! You really asked questions that made the subject think and your really drew her out. That is the approach you should always take when doing profiles. Again I would suggest following up on your questions even more than once--When she said she had her heart broken--ask her to describe the circumstances, how it impacted her (didn't eat, couldn't sleep)..and how did she mend her broken heart.

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