If you are no longer in Tucson, how often do you get back here?
Greetings, friends.
It’s been so much fun reading other people’s profiles that I’ve been unable to break away and write my own. Thanks to everyone who has put time into this reunion and the website. What an amazing way to catch up on everyone … and to think I thought I’d never know anything about anyone any more. Who knew?
Warning: This is kinda long, so feel free to stop here! Thought I’d add a little more info as I won’t be able to attend the reunion to defend myself, haha. I am sorry to be missing the chance to see all of you.
After Sahuaro I attended the University of the Pacific (Callison College, one of the cluster colleges) in Stockton, CA. It wasn’t in the mountains (that’s putting it mildly), which had been my vision for my college experience, but UOP at least satisfied the wanderlust: I was fortunate to be able to study in Mexico (the Yucatán) and Japan. It was at Callison that I became a Buddhist and took a vow of poverty.
I emerged with a BA in International Studies and promptly joined the Peace Corps, a lifelong dream (though I came close to joining the Navy first). Spent 2½ years in Paraguay working in agricultural extension and returned to Tucson in the summer of 1977 to get my masters in Teaching English as a Second Language, with the express purpose of “going everywhere and learning every language.” No surprise: I ended up staying right here, putting down roots in the hometown I was always so determined to leave, and have been loving it ever since. Natch.
Got my masters in 1980 and my secondary teaching certificate in 1984. After doing “odd jobs” (editor/writer, desktop publisher, public information officer for state agency, commercial video producer, others), I joined Pima College (then County) Adult Education 12 years ago and have been teaching there in the Family Literacy Program; hope to retire at the end of this school year. The Spanish I learned at Sahuaro and Palo Verde has served me well over the years.
I had children in my 30s so am a recent empty-nester. Daughter Nicole, skilled at getting scholarships, managed to get a full ride at the UA with a major in Geography. She’s currently enjoying a Fulbright Scholarship in Curitiba, Brazil, where she’s making a film on city planning. (Tom and I will be visiting there during the reunion). A musician and Capoeira enthusiast, she’s also active in a local circus there doing acrobatics – something I was never able to do.
Son Max is in his 5th year at the UA in chemistry. He likes being a student and keeps changing his minor (hence the 5 years) … loves to regale us with tales of quantum chemistry and other cool stuff I can’t comprehend. Best of all, my life became complete a couple of weeks ago when Max announced that he’d bought a banjo … for himself! He has never held back his disdain for our bluegrass and country music, and now he’s one of us. Hallelujah!
I started playing guitar in college when my roommate found one on the beach in Northern California. Twenty-two years later a divorced me met my current husband, and the next thing I knew I was playing in a band. For a while we did bluegrass as Out of the Blue, and for the last few years we’ve had a trio, Way Out West, focusing on Western and cowboy music. It hasn’t been easy because I’m basically still shy … especially about getting up in front of people and singing! Fortunately, the voice is another instrument and gets better with use. My musical passion is actually the fiddle, which I unfortunately will never master as I started way too late (was too cool when I was younger).
Some not-so-fortuitous events along the way: As some of you know, my dad took his own life in January of 1974. I was out of my mind for a while. My mom died in 2000, and in 2002 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My nodes were not involved so I had a good prognosis. Did chemo and radiation, picked myself up, dusted myself off, and got back into the race.
I was able to come out of it a happier person. Yoga helps. Now I’m healthier than ever. I’ve been fortunate to be able to travel – did a couple of tours in England and Europe with Way Out West. Overall I have been very blessed, for which I give thanks every day.
NEW STUFF: I was laid off in July 2011 and retired, which is fun, like being a kid again--especially the no money part--except you're old. Oh well. I started writing a book about my experience in the Peace Corps, which has led to some surprising discoveries and relationships. I'm still writing and looking for a publisher. In April I will have the honor of being part of a delegation to observe the presidential elections in Paraguay after the impeachment-slash-coup there last year. Other than that, everything's pretty much the same ... except that my hair is gray again, woohoo! Sure hope to see folks at the Bambi on March 30, 2013, with Dan Ferguson and others.
