Me, Myself, and I

A few weeks ago, I enjoyed reading Mo's (Living the Life - Mo on the Go) interesting list of 25 things about herself. I've been hard pressed to think of more than a few items about myself -- maybe some will come to me as I'm writing.

1. When I was a young teen attending an all girls' school, I briefly considered going into the convent. Then I discovered boys/men, at which time I transferred to public school. I've never regretted either decision.

2. I had never wanted to marry and have children. Maybe I couldn't picture anyone falling in love with me and it was easier to declare this as a purposeful choice than to be 'left alone'. This whole concept bit the dust when I met my now husband when I was 18. We married two years later and have been together since.

3. I began teaching when I was 15 years old and taught beginning swimming at the YM/YWCA in Lansdowne, PA. I continued to teach swimming for several years and then coached a swim team. I also volunteered at the Y where we did one-on-one swimming with special needs kids.

4. People think I'm extremely extroverted, but while I love talking to people, meeting new people, and talking in front of small and large groups of people, I guard my solitary time stridently; I am an introvert at heart.

5. I began my teaching career in Baltimore County Public Schools in January of 1973 when I was assigned to teach eighth grade English. I was the fourth teacher the kids had had. (The others had been institutionalized, I heard). At the end of my first day, I went home, sat on the couch, and by the time my husband walked in to ask, "How was your day?" I was drinking Jim Beam from the bottle. He noticed this and didn't wait for an answer.

6. After our second child was born, I did not return to teaching English, but worked toward certification to teach childbirth education. I did my training in a local OBGYN office and hospital. I've 'had' many babies over the years and have cherished each birth and the relationships formed. I also, coincidentally, taught high school English to some of the children I helped bring into the world. I still teach an occasional class.

7. I returned to teaching in 1989 first at the middle school and then in 1992 at the high school -- the school my children attended. I taught our youngest in 11th grade English. Hers was the ONLY parent I ever slept with :). I had one of the assistant principals grade all her work, so no one could claim favoritism. She was a hoot to teach.

8. From 1984 - 1988 I served as an elected official in my community. Keeping my mouth shut and being diplomatic did not come easily. The highlight of this time was when during the 25th anniversary of our community, during a parade, we on the Council ran into the street to help 'unstick'a huge pink elephant float from under a bridge. The picture ran on the cover of the next day's Washington Post. Suffice to say the photographer did not capture my best side.