This is: Vanessa.

Meet 16 year old, high school student, Vanessa.

I haven’t interviewed anyone in awhile and I’ve missed this series, so why not bring it back with one of my favorite people on this planet!?! I met Vanessa in seventh grade when I had no friends lol. We met and instantly loved each other and would talk each others ears off. We’ve stuck with each other ever since and as the years go on we’ve grown such a strong bond. I hope you all love her as much as I do!!

Julia: First question! State your name, age, and where you are from.

Vanessa: Wait I forgot what you said…[laughs] – My name is Vanessa, I’m sixteen, and I’m from California.

Julia: Is it weird that I’m interviewing you?

Vanessa: No, I’m pretty open to things like this and I’m comfortable with you.

Julia: What are do you believe in?

Vanessa: Feminism, equality, and social justice.

Julia: Would you describe yourself as someone who is an extrovert or an introvert?

Vanessa: Well, I have my moments where sometimes I’m an introvert. But then I have other moments where I’m an extrovert. I guess you could say I’m in between both depending on the situation.

Julia: I’m the same way. – Since you are in the middle, do you think that it has an effect in your life at school or work?

Vanessa: Oh definitely. At work you have to be very extroverted, especially when working with customers. You have to be happy all the time and be very open to speak to them. But at school, I’m more introverted because I hate everyone there. [laughs]

Julia: [laughs] – When do you feel most vulnerable?

Vanessa: When I’m in awkward situations or when I’m with people I don’t really know or even when I’m somewhere I don’t wanna be. I just start to become introverted which then leads to me being vulnerable.

Julia: Very personal question but- Do you know what you are doing with your life right now as a sixteen year old?

Vanessa: [laughs] No.

Julia: Do you think that’s okay to not know what you wanna do with your life at sixteen?

Vanessa: Well yeah, you’re still young. Lots of people who are young don’t know what they want to do with their lives and that’s okay. I feel like the more you grow and expand your knowledge, the more you find out what’s best for you. Your decisions with life come with time and experience.

Julia: Do you find the idea of not knowing what you wanna do with your life scary?

Vanessa: No, not that much. Right now I’m really just seeing where life will take me and I don’t know if that will work out but it’s just what I wanna do right now. It might work, it might now. Who knows!

Julia: We’ll see! [laughs] I’ll keep everyone updated. – Okay so you know how being sixteen is super hyped up, do you feel like this year has been life changing?

Vanessa: Definitely!! I feel like sixteen has been the craziest year for me. I got a job, I got my license, and I feel like I’m an adult. Now that I can drive myself wherever I want, I feel like I am more responsible.

Julia: What’s an important lesson you’ve learned in your sixteen years?

Vanessa: Don’t take life for granted.

Julia: [stands up clapping and Vanessa laughs] – Do you have role models?

Vanessa: I don’t really think I have role models. I’ll admire people for things that they’ve done, but I don’t necessarily have anyone that I look up to and want to be just like them. You know what I mean? Little things that people do, I’ll admire a lot but I won’t look at them as role models.

Julia: What inspires you everyday?

Vanessa: I think the fact that I am living everyday how I want to live inspires me to get out in the world and just live my life to the fullest. I’m grateful for the life that I get to live and I never want to take it for granted.

Julia: What are your goals in life?

Vanessa: I wanna travel. I just wanna go to somewhere I’ve never been before, whether that is out of the state or even out of the country. I definitely want to graduate high school, then earn a degree, and then get a career. Those are my goals as of right now.

Julia: Do you think you’ve changed a lot over these past few years?

Vanessa: Definitely. I think the people you hang out with can change you. For example, if you hang out with people that are bad or are bad influences, you’ll change to be like them. But if you hang out with the right people, they kinda shape you to be a better person, they make you wanna do more things, and just in general make you wanna be a better person.

Julia: I agree. – Are you someone who regrets things that have happened in the past?

Vanessa: Well no, I think that we should remember that everything happens for a reason.  So I don’t think you should regret anything that you’ve done because that shaped you.

Julia: Do you feel like you fit in at school?

Vanessa: I don’t think anyone fits in at school.

Julia: That’s true.

Vanessa: Everyone has their own “things” at school. I feel like I fit in when I’m with my friends, most people feel that way. But when I walk down the hallways or I’m by myself, I don’t feel like I fit in. 

Julia: Okay now time for the fun questions – What five songs would be on the soundtrack of your life?

Vanessa: Okay…[laughs] Can I look at the my phone for this?

Julia: [laughs] yeah, this can be a hard question.

Vanessa: Don’t Hurt Yourself by Beyonce, Redbone by Childish Gambino, Pink + White by Frank Ocean, LOVE. by Kendrick Lamar, and then Cranes In The Sky by Solange.

Julia: Who is your favorite musician? And why?

Vanessa: Beyonce. She is such a powerful woman, with powerful lyrics, and she can do whatever she wants.

Julia: Queen B!! – What are five things that make you happy?

Vanessa: The color yellow, cleaning my ears after getting out of the shower [laughs], Jamba Juice, you [Julia awww’s], and finding the perfect outfit.

Julia: And finally, what advice would you give to the people reading this?

Vanessa: Just be happy. When you are upset, just remember it won’t last forever. And don’t try to be someone you’re not, just be yourself.

Julia: Alright, that’s a wrap!

Enjoy these photos that I took of Vanessa.

 

Follow her on instagram – @vanessacone

I just want to thank Vanessa for allowing me to interview her and ask her some personal questions.

I’m excited to continue this series and find more people to interview!!

Thank you for reading.

Xoxo, Julia.