Where to Begin...

There's a storm brewing outside and I'm finding the vibrant green of the trees against the sky's now overwhelming shade of gray wonderfully distracting, but anyhow:

I never know how to start such things (blogs, new social networking profiles, and the like) because I never know how to go about introducing who I am.

I could give you the facts quick, straight, and simple:

• Shantelle
• Age: 20 (21 in September)
• Bucks County, PA, USA
• Integrative Arts major at Penn State
• Oldest of three children

Or, I could try to have more fun with it:

• At Starbucks, giving my name usually goes like this, "With an S, not a C...thank you...ah, no, two Ls and another E, please."
• I want to be 20 forever. On the cusp of full adulthood, yet still clinging to my naive teenage years. Like Peter Pan, I never want to grow up and maybe with enough faith, trust, and pixie dust I can stop right where I am. ...But on second thought, I would like to dance my heart out at the clubs whenever I want. So maybe 21 would be a good stopping point instead.
• Quiet suburban life. Steeped in history and all the farms, little villages, and open fields a girl could ask for.
• I entered college as a Japanese major, much to the delight and pride of everyone I know. Important jobs. Lots of money. A happy me. Somewhere along the way, the calling of the arts snagged my heart and I changed to Integrative Arts with concentrations in photography and art history--much to the doubt and uncertainty of everyone I know. Maybe jobs? Maybe money? An even happier me.
• As the oldest child, as well as the only girl, I am automatically the coolest child. Simple as that.

Either way, this is me. Of course, my life is more complex than what a few bullet points can offer. But that's what this blog is for, right?