"Getting to know me," – I’m pretty sure that’s a song from a musical. I’ve had that one line stuck in my head for the last three days since I started this article.

Hey y’all, my name is Caroline Henriksen, and I’m so excited to be a brand new writer for Odyssey! Before I start diving deep here and writing articles, I wanted to share a little bit about myself. Even before I knew that I would be writing for Odyssey, I thought about some of the topics that I wanted to touch on, because these topics are so incredibly important to me and have made an incredible impact in my life. I'm sharing a little bit about myself beforehand so I feel more personal and relatable. But I do have to say, I’m not really great at talking about myself, so I guess here goes nothing (hey look, that’s already one thing about me)!

I've never had a favorite color (other than when I was two because I mean c'mon, who doesn’t like the color pink) but yeah, yesterday it was blue, today it’s white, and now it’s all very up in the air.

My favorite food is Froot Loops. Yes, I love crab and you know ya girl could put down a Thanksgiving meal real fast, but Toucan Sam is my favorite. He knows what’s up.

I am a freshman Zeta Tau Alpha at the best university at this side of the Mason-Dixon (and as far as I’m concerned, the entire world, but we try not brag). Go Dawgs!

I graduated from a tiny – and I mean tiny – high school. I was a varsity high school cheerleader for all four years and even tried out my not-so-hot acting skills and even more not-so-hot singing voice every spring for the musicals. I was always trying to get involved in high school. I loved to be busy. One year I even tried to play soccer. Have I ever played soccer? Nope, but they needed an extra player because they only had 10, and I guess you need 11. I felt bad, so I hopped right in there. Let's just say, it was an experience for sure…

If there's a concert, you can bet I’ll be there. I live for fun bands that are just passing through because they end up being the best!

I go to Passion City Church, and I’ve never been happier on a Sunday morning than when I'm listening to Louie Giglio and the Passion Band. The hardest part about college so far has been missing Passion City.

Adventuring? Yes, please. Let’s go. Right now.

I am a strong believer in the healing powers of BBQ. Sad? Barbecue. Tired? Barbecue. Loving life? Dude, barbecue. It’s my way of celebrating life. No one hates a barbecue, and if they do, well that’s not the kind of negativity you need in your life anyway.

I never stop talking.

I literally have to make friends wherever I go, I can’t do those awkward elevator rides or car rides where you say nothing, and you can just feel the awkwardness. No thanks. We’re about to be best friends. Deal with it.

I’ve had my heart broken. It sucks. Boys suck. Sometimes though, you find one that buys you ice cream, and he kind of makes up for the rest of them.

Speaking of ice cream, mint chocolate chip ice cream y’all – God’s great gift to mankind.

I have a younger brother who makes me terrified to ever have kids someday. When I still lived at home, he would leave the house, and I would have to refrain from wrapping him in bubble wrap. I would take a bullet for him and put all his troubles on my shoulders so he would never feel pain or suffering. No questions asked and absolutely no hesitation. He’s my best friend.

I want to devote the rest of my life to helping people. It’s so important to me that my life has more depth to it than just making money. It does mean, however, that I’m going the pre-law route and wow, it’s already hard. I’ve been here for like five weeks, but it’s all worth it.

I have the best parents. They would do just about anything for me, even drive an hour and a half every Friday afternoon after my classes to take me to lunch, then leave to get my brother to golf by three (thanks, Mom, you rock).

I love my life. I love my life and everyone in it, and I’m so thankful for everything, even on the not-so-great days. I know that sounds so cliché, but boy, my life has taken some rough turns. At the end of the day though, I suck at hand-eye coordination. I could sit and listen to music for hours and hours. I’m stubborn, and when I get pushed, I shove back even harder. I don’t let anyone mess with the people I love. I love loving people with my whole heart and express my love by doing things for other people. I have high highs and low lows, and there are a lot of ways in which I want to improve, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

So that’s just a little bit about me that I'd like you to know. I can’t wait to start pouring my heart and soul into these articles. Make sure to check out my profile to read more!