Friend Feature Friday | Yumn

Meet this week's Friend Feature Friday Yumn Elkhoja from Michigan! 

I don't have an exact number for how many years I've known Yumn - but let's just say she has seen me through all my awkward stages of life. We are both from Ann Arbor and everyone who is from A2 basically knows each other! We went to the same school, and her dad was my sister's teacher in elementary school! Over the years I have admired Yumn's carefree spirit. Yumn is such an inspiration and I envy her devotion to running - I can't commit to any form of physical fitness for the life of me - however I deeply admire her tenacity and commitment. Yumn has a caring heart which is evident through her passion for nursing and the care she provides for her patients. 
Keep reading and get to know Yumn!

1) Educational Background?

B.A. in Sociology and History, Eastern Michigan University

Nursing Degree, Washtenaw Community College

2) Current Job Title?

Registered Nurse - I specialize in Dialysis.

3) Zodiac Sign?

Aquarius 

4) Ethnic Background?

My parents are from Libya, but I was born and raised in Ann Arbor!

5) Why did you choose or why do you love your profession/field of study?

I always knew I wanted to do something where I would be working directly with people and be able to help them. I feel that health is a blessing and I want to help those who are dealing with health issues in hopes that I can make a difference in their lives and see them on a road to better health.

6) What is the most rewarding thing about your profession/field of study?

 The most rewarding thing about my profession is seeing the happiness on my patients’ face and knowing that I helped put that smile there. I love to get to know my patients and establish a trust/respect relationship. I treat each patient as an individual and can learn from every single one of them.

7) What is your 5-year goal?

My five year goal is to get my Master’s in nursing and to become a Nurse Practitioner. I’d love to work overseas and travel the world.

8) What are your hobbies or interests outside of your profession/work?

Running is my love. I’m a runner and have run 4 marathons and plan to keep running at least one marathon a year. I like physical fitness in general. I also like to read and travel.

9) Favorite Website? 

Besides using Facebook or checking my email I don’t get on the Internet much! The website I refer to most is mca-aa.org which is the Muslim Community Association of Ann Arbor’s website. I go to it for the prayer times.

10) Favorite TV Show? 

I don’t really watch television either - I’d rather read a book, but there is one show that I will watch whenever the season starts and that is the MTV Real World/Road Rule’s challenges. That’s right up my alley with fitness, I suppose. I love watching the weekly battles and challenges.

11) Next travel destination? 

I just came back from Arizona, but I will be leaving for Egypt the first week of March! I’m pretty excited because this is my first, ever, international trip.

12) Who is your style icon?

 I don’t have a style icon. I never follow the latest trends or follow any celebrities and what they wear/wore, etc. I’m really trying to think of someone’s style that I particularly like and no one comes to mind. Okay, maybe Wonder Woman! Just kidding *kind of*

13) What are 3 wardrobe staples you can’t live without?

My wardrobe staples would be yoga pants, a basic cardigan because you can layer it over anything, and any shoes that are flats (really my running shoes). I like comfort over anything else!

14) Three words that describe your style or personality?

 Unique, carefree, and comfortable.

15) What would you tell your 20 year old self?

I would tell my 20 year old self to love myself and make sure that I am taking care of myself before taking care of others. The reason I say that is because when you love yourself/take care of yourself then you can give your best self to others. I spent a lot of time spreading myself thin trying to please everyone around me that I overlooked my own self. It does not mean you are selfish if you take time for yourself, if anything it helps you to be a better person which reflects in your relationship with others.

Social Media | Facebook 

"Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love." - Rumi