A newer addition to our thump crew is Fayetteville, NC native, Kristin. Like many who move to Bend, Kristin was drawn here by outdoor sport opportunities, specifically the love of climbing!

A climber since age 12, Kristin competed in regional, divisional and national climbing competitions in North Carolina and West Virginia.  Since Fayetteville’s hot, flat environment wasn’t conducive to climbing, she decided she had to “… get out” when moving on to college.

She headed to the Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina, and attended Appalachian State University, in the town of Boone.  Her love for rocks continued in an academic capacity as she majored in Geography. When asked what attracted her to this discipline, she responded, “I am really interested in natural hazards, how they affect people and the Earth’s processes.”

Throughout her college years, Kristin worked in a busy, quality focused bakery called Stick Boy. The name originated from a sign a family friend saw on a light post somewhere in the northeast that read, “Lost Stick Boy” and a phone number was included for its return. Random and funny, the name was used for the bakery. While at Stick Boy, Kristin was a shift leader, overseeing mountains of holiday special orders. She was also acting manager on several occasions for managers who were taking maternity leave.

We asked Kristin if she felt any differences, cultural or otherwise, between life in North Carolina and Bend. She shared her surprise in the dryness of Bend’s climate and noted the friendliness of fellow Bendites, so many of whom she observed, are not originally from here.  She then grinned and added that she misses biscuits. When she and her boyfriend road tripped here from North Carolina, they saved money specifically for Hardy’s egg & cheese biscuits. As they moved west, Hardy’s were replaced by Carles Jr., and eventually the day came when they had traveled far enough west that the cashier didn’t know what they were talking about.  If any of you can recommend a great place in the area for biscuits, please pass it on to Kristin!

In the big picture, Kristin plans to return to school for a nursing degree. “I plan to become an RN with hopes of doing medical work in third world countries,” she said. “It seems like a great way to do some good and travel at the same time. Once I’ve gained some experience abroad I may pursue a Master’s in global health or medical geography, providing a link between the two disciplines.”

Thump is once again, so fortunate to have attracted such a bright, capable, hard working thumpista! Until the day comes when Kristin packs her medical bags to do good around the world, we will continue to enjoy her understated, focused personality, that easily lights up with a quick warm smile and laugh!