Getting to Know You: Kristen Trudo
We are deeply grateful for the immense amount of growth that our organization has experienced over the last year or so. It has been a wild ride. And, we want to remain committed to cultivating relationships with each other, even as we grow. So, please enjoy our new Getting to Know You series: weekly staff features to get reacquainted and newly acquainted with all of the folks behind the scenes at Wild Diversity. This week (our last week of this series) hear from our Marketing Coordinator, Kristen.
What goes first, the cereal or the milk? State your case.
It is hard for me to fathom why anyone would ever risk the inevitable sloshing of milk onto the counter, by pouring an avalanche of irregularly sized cereal bits into a bowl of liquid. So much chaos. So early in the morning. Why take that chance? It’s cereal. Then milk.
Describe your favorite spot in your home.
When I moved from St. Louis, I had to leave behind my writing table — it was too big for the moving pod. I was intent on acquiring a rolltop desk for my new space — and thanks to Offer Up and my partner, I now have one. My writing desk — where I hangout every morning to tackle some morning pages and hang out with my feelings — continues to be my favorite place in my home.
How do you like your eggs prepared?
Depends on my mood. Or, more accurately, my partner’s mood (thanks for always making me brekkie, love). Top three are Poached, Fried (but still pretty runny), and a nice Scrambo with cheese is always delightful.
Tell us about yourself via the most resonant parts of the Enneagram, Astrology, Myers Briggs, or some other type of personality inventory.
I am a brooding, artist type and I probably spend more time on my couch, or in my home, than the average person (at least the before-the-pandemic average person). I am an Enneagram 4 x Taurus Sun. However, over the last year, I’ve really been leaning into (and perhaps just noticing) my Aries Rising — there’s some serious fire accenting my soft and squishy feels. Who knew? I also don’t remember my Myers Briggs exactly. INF and then the last one was on the fence, I’m fairly certain. Whichever one is the most rare is probably me (jk, Enneagram 4 joke for all you Enneagram folks).
Your favorite book or your favorite movie. Or both.
One of my favorite books is Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. It’s a story of family and history and lineage. And I love any book whose format feels nontraditional or subversive.
I think, after 20 years, my answer to favorite movie is still Titanic. Should I feel ashamed? Maybe. Do I? Nah. I’m deeply romantic and I think Titanic’s [some-would-say-lesbian] love story is my first memory of getting to witness “true love” on the big screen. 10/10.
Tell us about the oldest thing in your possession.
Probably the folder, in a box, in the shed, that contains all of my writing from high school. Heartbreak. Catholicism. Basketball. I was (am?) quite the Drama Kween. And, even if it’s excruciating to read, I’m grateful that I have something tangible from those days.
How did you find Wild Diversity?
I found Wild Diversity from a Google Search when I was looking for things to get into upon my move to Portland. I think the most challenging part of Marketing, for me, is learning not to take things personally. You put your time and energy into creating a thing, and frankly, sometimes it flops. I’m learning how to be okay with that and to not take it as a personal affront.
Are there any lockdown related hobbies that have stuck for you? Or not?
I’d consider roasting coffee a hobby now — which I learned during an apprenticeship last winter. I no longer work in the coffee industry, but I think I’ll always be grateful for that skillset and the opportunity to be creative in that way. I’m not someone who deeply enjoys cooking, and creating in the kitchen. But creating with a roaster? Playing with gas and air to make a bean pop — that’s my jam.
Anything else you want the entire world to know about you.
Probably. I can be an oversharer, when it’s in writing. But I don’t have anything in particular that comes to mind at the moment. Maybe it’s just that I’m an oversharer in writing? So, if you want me to spill all my deepest and darkest, send me snail mail. Shout out to all my pen pal friends who know more about me than they probably ever wanted.
