Notes from Yasmine Interview

Interviewer introduces the session and explains the use of a fake name (Yasmine) to protect privacy.

Yasmine selected photos representing her relationship with her 'Big'.
Photo 1: Two people happy and having fun, reflecting the joyful experiences Yasmine has with her Big.
Yasmine and her Big go places together, and her Big is funny.
Photo 2: One person talking and the other person listening, representing their mutual respect for each other's voice.
Example: This often happens when they're out to eat.
Photo 3: Two people being nice to each other, because they are always nice to each other.
Yasmine shows kindness by letting her Big choose the music.
Her Big gave her an Apple Watch, which Yasmine appreciates.

Past activities include:
- Visiting a cupcake factory and cat cafe in downtown.
- Going to the zoo.
- Steam Graze.
- Bowling.
- Attending her Big's son's flag football game.
- Yoga (Big Brother Big Sister event).
Most recently, they went to her Big's son's game and had boneless chicken wings and pizza.

Activities usually take place outside of Yasmine's neighborhood.
Yasmine enjoys going outside her neighborhood because she doesn't go many other places.
She used to go to the park, but she stopped after being bitten by a dog.

Yasmine feels comfortable in places outside her neighborhood because she's with her Big.
She describes her Big as adventurous, citing examples like:
- Attempting water hiking, which led to an abandoned park.
- Hiking a trail to see a waterfall (though it wasn't flowing).
Yasmine feels happy and calm when she's with her Big.
Her Big makes outings fun and provides a calming presence.

Her Big shows she cares by:
- Buying her things.
- Feeding her.
- Taking her places.

Yasmine says nothing really bothers her, so she hasn't felt the need to discuss any issues with her Big.
She imagines she would feel comfortable discussing bullying with her Big.

Yasmine wishes she could go to her Big's house more often.
She enjoyed her first visit, hanging out with her daughter, water hiking, and getting ice cream.

Both Yasmine and her Big are Black.
Positive aspects of being Black for Yasmine include the ability to braid her hair.
Similarities include:
- Being funny.
- Being kind.
- Liking Chipotle.
- Wearing jeans.
- Liking macaroni for Thanksgiving.

Yasmine feels she can talk to her Big about her experiences as a Black person, but doesn't really do it.
She doesn't think their relationship would be different if her Big was a different race because she has many non-Black best friends.
They haven't done specific activities to learn more about being Black (read books, celebrated holidays, visited museums, etc.).

Yasmine says that being a girl or religion are not particularly important to her.

Yasmine indicates on a whiteboard that her Big has consistently understood her well over the past year, drawing a straight line to represent this.
Her Big helps her feel understood by asking her what she wants to do or eat.

Yasmine feels her Big listens to her and values what she has to say.
Her Big often agrees with her.
Sometimes they "agree to disagree," such as when choosing food.
If Yasmine is with her Big's daughter, the daughter can act as a "tiebreaker" in disagreements.

Yasmine thought her Big would be nice and caring.
She hoped their relationship would be good and that they would have similar personalities.
She feels her hopes have been met, as they are both funny and kind.

Yasmine reports no challenges or conflicts in their relationship.
She felt comfortable and like she belonged at the Big Brothers Big Sisters yoga event because it was not a loud space.

Yasmine identifies as Black.
Family foods include chicken, macaroni, and sweet potatoes.
She cares about not bullying other races.
Her Big has shown interest in learning about her customs and traditions by letting her pick the food.
Her Big has not specifically asked about what Yasmine eats with her family.
She hasn't told Yasmine about her Black-related customs or foods.
Yasmine recalls an incident where kids yelled a racist remark at her while she walked home from the bus stop.
She doesn't remember if she told her Big about it, but thinks her Big would respond with disapproval and ask what happened after.
She thinks her Big's reaction might depend on how recently the incident occurred.
Yasmine feels she could talk to her Big about the incident now.
They haven't discussed race-related issues from the news or community.

Yasmine completes the sentences:
- "Before I met my big, I was happy."
- "After getting to know my big, I am now happier."
She is happier because she goes to more places now.
Her Big's personality (being funny and kind) also contributes to her happiness.
The relationship hasn't significantly changed how she feels about herself.