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Julia
Tell me about yourself
I'm a junior studying Exercise Science and I'm from Lynwood, Washington.
Have you ever attended an ORP event or rented gear from ORP?
No, but I wanted to come on the Oregon trip. I wasn't able to attend because I had work.
When you hear the word “outdoorsy” what do you picture?
I picture hiking boots, fuzzy socks, leggings or cargo pants, north face jacket, and a hat.
What’s your first or favorite memory of being in the outdoors/nature?
While I enjoy all of my outdoor experiences including hiking, laying in the sun at the beach, skiing, exploring the coast, fishing, or just being outside in general. My favorite has to be my experience on Mt. Rainier. I went on a midnight hike on Mt. Rainier with some friends in high school to catch the sunrise. We were able to see all of the stars, the milky way, and what felt like the whole galaxy. It was amazing and so beautiful. We reached the summit of our hike and saw the sun rise and reflect on Mt. Rainier, which looked like it was 2 inches away. It was the most beautiful sight to see and one of my most cherished memories. The hike on the way down was also amazing as we saw all of the wildflowers and some really cute animals.
What’s your favorite thing to do outside?
I like to do activities like running, working out, and playing sports.
What culture, ethnicity, or community do you identify with?
I am Asian-American, specifically Japanese, and have Brasilian parents who grew up in Brazil.
How do people your culture interact with the outdoors?
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The Japanese appreciate the beauty of nature and do their best to respect it by keeping liter off the streets, they walk to their destinations or commute by public transport like the subway. Brasilians love to go to the beach to enjoy the sun and ocean. Culturally, while I have a mix of the two, I am more American than either of them. As an American of the PNW, I love hikes, enjoying the lakes during the summers, and seeing the mountains in, what feels like, every direction I look.
Do you feel represented in the outdoor community?
I have honestly never thought about this and it never crossed my mind, but no. I feel like the Asian community is not represented in “outdoor” ads or campaigns. This could be due to the lack of Asians that look like me that are interested in the outdoors.
How can ORP help you feel more represented in the outdoor community?
Maybe try to have more Asian representation in ORP in general.
Do you think you are an "outdoorsy" person?
Yeah, but nothing over the top like “I LOVE NATURE ALL THE TIME YAHH!” I enjoy nature and being in nature, but I hate mosquitos, don’t always like being outside when it rains, and I do get tired of the weather here. I love enjoying a sunny day, I love the changing colors on trees, I love the mountains and I love outdoor sports, but I don’t make it a priority.