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This week we get to know my subscriber Ariel, a massage-therapist and crafter from around Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Ariel has been a member of CO+K since February 2011 which led her to my blog. She loves Instagram, Harry Potter, Good Charlotte and chocolate covered strawberries. One day, she hopes to be a student, her favourite colour is pink and her most prized possession is a doll of Woody from Toy Story.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was younger, I really wanted to be an animation artist for Disney. I actually have worked at Disney World since, but not in anything fancy like that! My dream job today changes a lot. It always stems around helping animals, and right now, it's working at zoos and museums to raise awareness for endangered species or helping them directly in the wild. I'd also love to be a paleontologist with a career focused on prehistoric environmental changes and the animals' adaptations, paralleling with today's endangered species.

Where should we visit if we come to your town?

Binder Park Zoo is a great little zoo in Battle Creek, MI. I especially love the red pandas and cheetahs. The office I work for did a fundraiser for them last year and will do the same this year. We were able to “adopt” three animals! For my last birthday, my mom offered me a pedicure or a “Zookeeper for a Day” program, and, of course, I chose the latter. It was a LOT of hard work, but it was a great experience!

Where do you look for inspiration?

I never really have a problem being inspired to create! I love to make stories come to life by making Harry Potter creations and other things like that. I have a plush Peeta doll from the Hunger Games I hand sewed out of felt. I have tons of clay characters like Harry, Ron, Hermione, Peter Pan, Wendy, Alice, the Caterpillar... My resources are definitely books, movies, and music. Harry Potter, the Hunger Games, Elixir, Stargirl, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, The Great Gatsby, Disney Princess movies, Toy Story and other Pixar movies, Good Charlotte, Big Time Rush, Hilary Duff's music...the list goes on quite a while.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

I've been picked on and bullied all my life, and my parents told me since I was young to do my own thing and not worry about what anybody else thinks.

What would your three wishes be?

I'm going to be honest- I'm taking a lot of time to answer this one! Obvious things are money, world peace, ending world hunger, no wars, and...more wishes!

1) Everyone to have a job that makes them happy. A job can truly make or break a person. It's what you do for most of your day for most of your life. Everyone has at least one thing that they can do spectacularly or one thing that makes them truly happy. I just wish that we could all get the education required and be able to do things well, day in and day out, happily, and get paid for it.

2) Everyone to properly understand each other's thoughts, feelings, and intentions. I truthfully believe that would end racism, sexism, and all arguments in the world.

3) Unlimited free travel accommodations for my friends, my family, and myself.

Ariel has just opened her first Etsy shop selling flower crowns, clay pendants, cards, and postcards. She also said to check out GalaDarling.com as her site has made a huge difference to her life!

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