Relaxing Fun discussion

Please post your autobiography--as short or as long as you wish. What should we know about you? What would you like to share?

I guess I'll start...and fair warning, I'm going to ramble, so I guess I'll start with that.

I am naturally curious--no. not nosy, curious. I love to learn new things. I like learning at work, at home (especially here) and any other way I can. Of course, my sieve of memory doesn't help me retain it. This is not surprising since everyone has a finite amount of short-term and long-term memory.

Leading into...I used to teach writing as an adjunct professor (too many of those PhD's out there. I loved it. I loved teaching and learning from the students except... I couldn't keep grading all those papers. I was immersed in them. I usually taught 5 to 8 courses at a time. Makes for a lot of grading. Especially since I feel that the students deserve a detailed response to their work. Maybe I could do one class, maybe.

Prior to teaching, I worked for nonprofits (not the great kind, but the National Conference of Bar Examiners and the Alumni Society of the College of William & Mary). I also spent a year consulting, which was okay.

Then we moved to Singapore...no job for me. Until I worked for ETS as the Singapore Coordinator. It was dull because it was usually a one-person job (and the pay just hurt--although I didn't need to work for money (my prior husband took a job for more than our combined salary. So I looked and the University of Maryland wanted a composition teacher. I called. And I started to teach...everything (only so many professors--especially in English). It was great, although I am so shy and afraid of crowds that I threw up before the first class.

Today, I'm a sales analyst for Dean Foods for a key account. It's interesting, but my boss and I clash a lot.

I started my MBA last year at he University of Maryland (Dean covers enough of tuition for me to take a class a year). I did try to get my teaching MBA, but I learned quickly that I could not sit in a classroom. Especailly listening to someone teaching me to teach writing...well the professor was good, but for me (having taught for 10 years) it was just dull.

My 15-year-old son just came to live with me a month and a half ago. Long story (and no, dont worry, I wont continue to ramble about it).

I am remarried. My husband has 1 dog and 2 cats here amd 1 dog in Phladelphia with his mom.

One problem I have on this site is that I tend to assign...pls forgive me. I write teacher style or business style. Please let me know if the style mkes you uncomfortable.

Enough. Stop (talking to myself).
Hi all,
Jess

Hi Alice, Glad to see you here. I would love to see shots ofsome of your paintings. I love art, although I am not well educated in it.
Jess

A BA in Fine Arts sounds like a fine education, Alice.
Jess

LOL! It depends on where you go to school I guess. Tons I don't know but I keep trying. Now I have overdue library book I have to find and get it turned in today!
So annoyed with myself. Do you ever do this too?
Oh, the painting I put here is 2 antelopes that I painted in front of Teewinot peak by Jackson Hole. I know its very hard to see as so small.
Well, got to get searching..sigh, Alice

I can't see the painting, Alice. Good luck finding the book.

For some reason, this thread is not showing up on the discussions page. Hopefully, it will now.

Hi Jess, I had the painting posted as my "ativar" for about a week but then took it down to put Dewey the library cat down and just today I put up this picutre of me in my wig! I am sure you can see my paintings at Flickr. I will try to send you a link to there from yahoo. They don't show up here anyway as it TOO SMALL. Funny I can read the print here but at Facebook I can barely see it. Sorry to Ramble on.....
Better try right now as so forgetful.
Arthrits pain today is bad,
Alice

HI!
First and fore most I am a Mommy of 4 gorgeous children. 2 boys, 2 girls, 15, 13, 7, and 3 years old. I also have a husband.
Once upon a time I wanted to be a writer. I took advanced writing classes in highschool and then figured out I was over anxious and nervous about others reading my writing...even though I carried an A in the class I just lost the confidence in myself to continue on that path.
Still love to read though!
Ten years ago I became a LPN and I am happy with this career choice, though I really want and need to find the time to go back to school for my RN. I am working on that plan now. Only thing holding me back is more time away from my kids and of course money to pay for school.
I love reality TV, Crime dramas, movies...especially scarey movies. I cry easy. I love food! I don't like pushy people. The Beatles are my favorite band ever!
Theres more to me that would probably make a good lifetime tv movie...but I won't go there! *Phew* right?

Hello to all, especially to Jessica. Seems like she keeps popping up in my 'inbox' daily. You might just become my inspiration to pick up speed reading! ;-)

Ok., my Goodreads name in Booklover, my wife and 3 children know me as dad and my friends know me as Todd. I am 44 and live in rural Indiana.

I graduated high school, joined the Navy and spent 9 years traveling the world under the oceans making friends and serving my country. During that time I managed to get an associates of arts degree from a small community college in Washington State and later after I got out I finished my 4 year degree in Business.

After my service time, I took employment with a local utility company here in Indiana where I remain. I started out in the power plants feeding coal to hungry boilers, but later took a position at the Corporate Office where I don't have to shower immediately after work.

The company, the job, and I have all changed over the years. And I guess I am not sure which of us has changed for the better. Oh we are all doing ok, but you know that feeling when you know deep down that things can, and should be better, but somehow during all those years of raising a family, coaching little league, 'punching the clock', and watching the evening news, you forgot what your mission was, as if you had one. Well, 2009 is my year to try and remember those aspirations. And as such, I chose James Allen's, 'as a man thinketh' as my first book for the new year. (forgive me but a little plug for a book written more than a hundred years ago... it is still relavent today, and maybe more so because it isn't over complicated, something we today don't need. It is common sense, something we need more of today, and practical in its message and handy for reference when you need it. I am using it as my inspiration to attempt to fulfill my new years resolutions as best I can.

And so with that, I wish you all a happy new year to come,
Todd

Alice wrote: "Hi Jess, I had the painting posted as my "ativar" for about a week but then took it down to put Dewey the library cat down and just today I put up this picutre of me in my wig! I am sure you can ..."

You look great, Alice. I can't even tell it is a wig. I hope I can see your painting. I will watch for it.

Jennifer wrote: "HI!
First and fore most I am a Mommy of 4 gorgeous children. 2 boys, 2 girls, 15, 13, 7, and 3 years old. I also have a husband.
Once upon a time I wanted to be a writer. I took advanced wri..."


Thank you for sharing, Jennifer. I bet we can discuss children's books. I am slowly purging mine because my son is 15 and I just can't keep everything.

It is hard to go back to school. I am in an online MBA program which will take forever since work only reimburses enough for one class. The classes are accelerated so I rather have to live the class. I haven't chosen when I'm going to take mine this year.

I also love the Beatles. I once had all the albums; now, I have a couple of the CDs (Abbey Road and the White Album, two of my favorites).

Please feel free to write as much as you like about yourself. It is nice to get to know you. Jess

Book Lover wrote: "Hello to all, especially to Jessica. Seems like she keeps popping up in my 'inbox' daily. You might just become my inspiration to pick up speed reading! ;-)

Ok., my Goodreads name in Booklover, ..."

Todd, I am glad to hear about you. You don't need to pick up speed reading for me.

What area of Indiana are you in? I haven't visited much of Indiana. I work for a company that sells milk. The account is broken into regions and my boss and I handle a large part of Indiana. Always curious, aren't I?

I am going to read the James Allen book you mention. Would you tell me about it?

How old are your children?
Jess

Jessica Frank wrote: "Todd, I am glad to hear about you."

I live in west central Indiana, about 35 miles west of Indianapolis. I have a small farm; trying to live the agrarian life as much as possible.

We have 3 children, 19, 17, and 13. They have been the best! We also have a foriegn exchange student from China living with us.

'as a man thinketh' is a early version of a self-help book. the main premise is that you are what you think. that thought makes a man, good or bad, That a man can become what he wishes, independent of circumstance or chance, by controlling his thoughts. It is a very short book, with many thought provoking ideas on how to think about one's life. (it is so short that if I spoke to much about it I might as well read it too you! ;-) he also wrote a variety of other books with, I think, much the same idea. I am finishing '8 pillars of prosperity') Hope you enjoy it. Todd

Todd, You are lucky. I have a 15 year old who is difficult.

I lived the agrarian life in my teenage years when my parents moved us from Chicago to rural Iowa. It was an experience. We had been living organically in Chicago; this just stepped it up about five notches. It was interesting and good for me, although I did not think so at the time.

I have already added the book to my huge to read list. I haven't gotten through many of them, because I've been reading stuff for work (which isn't as bad as it sounds).
Again, welcome,
Jess