Staff Writer
Steadfast certainty about life’s relationships, an earnest love for surfing and an everlasting smile are some of junior Jeannine Blankinship’s best-known traits. She’s a psychology major who spent last year in Buenos Aires. Inspired by a trip to Brazil, Blankinship bought a surfboard and began teaching herself the sport. Even though she has no wetsuit, she still takes to the water on weekends.
“The water isn’t that cold to me,” Blankinship said. “I just go numb after the first five minutes.”
She’s a tough girl with a very firm view on life, too.
“If you’re my friend, that’s great,” Blankinship said. “But if you aren’t, that’s fine, too.”
Blankinship said she knows who her true friends are, and they like her because she’s always smiling.
Why are your hands purple?
I was just painting (that picture).
Did you do that yourself?
Yes. I got inspired by my former love.
Who’s your former love?
Myself.
Really?
Yeah, really. I’m pretty good at painting myself.
Wow, that’s impressive. Did you take classes?
No. I’m just that freaking gnarly.
Do you have any other interests you’re gnarly at?
I want to learn how to surf and skateboard. I’ve got the boards and stuff. I’m going to work on it.
In how long do you see yourself as a professional surfer or skateboarder?
Never, dude. I suck. I need lessons.
I noticed you have writing in that picture of yours. What’s its significance?
It signifies me. It’s me, and basically, it’s the only way I can express myself.
So it’s like a journal entry?
Yeah.
Are you planning on selling any of your paintings?
Yes, (to) anyone that will buy them. But I’m not sure they can afford me.
Do you plan on making a living by selling your artwork?
No, I’m going to be living with my parents.
Where do they live?
Missouri.
What’s that like?
Perfect. It makes me understand the importance of who I am and why I am here at Pepperdine, when everyone else is living in trailers.
What is the importance of your being at Pepperdine?
To learn who I am and get friends. I’m not too concerned with the degree. I want to graduate and go traveling for a few years.
Where do you want to travel?
Argentina, Europe, South Africa, Asia and the U.S. If anyone wants to travel with me, I’d be up to it.
Any particular reason you chose those five places?
No, I’m random. I just want to go wherever I end up going. Or maybe I’ll go wherever I want.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Um, I’ll have a Pepperdine degree hanging in my trailer. I might be traveling, but I don’t know. I might even have kids. Ten years is a long time for me.
What’s your favorite Halloween candy?
Sugar Daddy. I like messing with people on Halloween.
What kinds of things do you do?
I keep my light on, and then I don’t answer the door.
Do the costumes scare you?
Yeah. I’m really scared of clowns.
Is that from a bad experience as a child?
Yeah, because I watched “It” by Stephen King when I was 5 years old, I wouldn’t go in the attic for three years.
What are some of your other fears?
I hate spiders, guacamole and coffee.
Coffee?
No, not really. But I do hate Great Books.
Why’s that?
Writing is hard. You know what else is hard? Doors. Last night I ran into one, apparently with my nose.
Wow. Did you have to get stitches?
No, I just hit my nose. It hurts pretty bad, but I’m OK though. I can handle that.
10-27-2005
