Our people: Looking toward the coast

My name is Molly Von der Menden. My partner, Kristopher, and I moved to Cannon AFB in July 2013. We currently reside in Portales, where we are raising our 4-year-old daughter, and two rambunctious Jagdterriers (hunting dogs).

I am a 2017 graduate of Clovis Community College, and I am currently attending Eastern New Mexico University with plans to graduate this year in respiratory therapy.

How did you meet your spouse?

We met at building 600 on base where we were attending an in-processing briefing. We had both arrived at Cannon the day before.

If you could have a super power, what would it be and why?

Time Control! Because then I could hit pause and get some extra sleep! It would also allow me extra time to accomplish all of my other tasks around the house, as well as work and at school. This would also allow me to "rewind" and fix or redo certain tasks or assignments where I wasn't satisfied with the outcome.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A marine biologist or zoologist. I grew up on the Pacific coast and have always found peace by the water. When I was younger, I loved exploring tide pools and learning about different eco-systems in, and around the ocean. I am hoping after our time at Cannon, we can return to the west coast or move to Florida so I can experience the Atlantic.

What does your garden grow?

PUMPKINS! Pumpkins and squash are my favorite things to grow. This year, in addition to pumpkins, my daughter and I also planted tomatoes, zucchini, corn, peppers, sunflowers, carrots, cucumbers, rosemary, basil and mint. Nothing tastes better than harvesting your own tomatoes, cucumber and basil and making your own caprese salad.

What are you reading?

I recently finished "The Silent Patient," by Alex Michaelides. It was absolutely gripping and I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys reading mystery or psychological thrillers. Currently, I am in the first few chapters of "Girls Like Us" by Christina Alger, and so far, I am hooked!

Favorite quote?

"Go confidently in the direction if your dreams! Live the life you've imagined!" - Henry David Thoreau.

If money were no object, what would you do to make eastern New Mexico a better place?

More extra-curricular activities for children and adults. I moved here from San Antonio, Texas, where I was a part if an adult soccer league, softball league and running club. There were also many educational clubs and classes available to kids and adults both on and off base. It was a great way to meet new people, as well as expand interests and engage young minds.

What's an accomplishment you're proud of?

My military service. I served in the Air Force for nine years, most of which was spent in the medical field as a respiratory therapist. It was not until after the military to raise my daughter that I began to realize what an amazing and important accomplishment it was. Serving in the military afforded me with education and experience I would never gain in the civilian world.

What do you hope your life will be like in 10 years?

In ten years, I hope to be living on the coast and raising my family in a far less-hectic lifestyle. I would like to continue working part-time in the medical field, as well as running my own business from home so that my family and I can spend more time traveling and enjoying the outdoors.

Tell us about your favorite hobby.

I am not sure that I can narrow it down to one. Other than gardening and reading, I love to travel with Kristopher and our daughter. We hope to make it to all 50 states by the time she is 18. We have already visited 18! I was also introduced to the art of stained glass and mosaics and I fell in love with it! It is a very time-consuming hobby, so it is difficult to find the time as a mother and student to devote to it. But after bedtime and homework, you can usually find me cutting, grinding and soldering glass.

- Compiled by correspondent Celina Avallone McHale