More often than not I resist 'tags', I wonder sometimes if anyone really wants to know many of the things we find in tags. I have seen this particular one popping up on several blogs and have had such fun reading them I thought I'd go ahead and jump in on this one. Thanks to Arline for the tag.
What was I doing 10 years ago?
I was still on a high from my first vacation so far from home. I visited a good friend of mine in Liberec, Czech Republic where she was on a teaching job for a year.
I spent two of the most memorable weeks of my life on this trip. I stayed in her tiny flat and we traveled all over Liberec. We made our way (on a harrowing bus trip) to Prague and took a couple of train rides - one to Zittau, Germany for a day and one to Hungary for a several day stay. I'm not a big beer drinker for the most part, but I had some of the best beer ever in that part of the world. We walked a bridge over the Danube River which connected Buda to Pest (that is when I learned it was TWO areas not one).
In 'real' life I had just relocated from Newport Beach, CA to the San Francisco Bay area as I had taken a job in San Francisco. So I was settling into a new job as well.
What are 5 things on my to do list for today (need not be in order)?
Clean
Bead
Wii Fit (I am having SO much fun with this!)
Answer Email
Yard work (ain't gonna happen - it's over 90)
Snacks that I enjoy
Buttered popcorn (made the old fashioned way in an big old iron pot)
Raisins
Cheese & crackers
Fruit
Things that I would do if I were a billionaire
Buy a big plot of land and build houses for me and my family members
Make big contributions to programs that help Veterans of all ages
Go back to school
Quit my job
Travel by private jet
Places I have lived
Buena Park, CA (born and raised - moved when I was 16)
Long Beach, CA
Stanton, CA
Orange, CA
Fullerton, CA
In between these two cities I was essentially 'homeless' and collected my mail 'general delivery'. It was quite a character building time in my life.
Placentia, CA
Anaheim, CA
Corona del Mar, CA
Irvine, CA
Costa Mesa, CA
Newport Beach, CA
Concord, CA
Clayton, CA
Pittsburg, CA
Warsaw, IN
Fort Wayne, IN
Jobs I have had
PAID
Cake Decorator
Payroll clerk for a micro computer company
Collections for an insurance company (started my 'career' in Insurance)
Administrative Assistant
Associate Broker
Support Specialist
Administrative Manager
Commercial Service Rep
Business Systems Consultant
VOLUNTEER (my favorite 'jobs'!)
Tohatchi, NM (Navaho Reservation) Painting, framing windows, skirting trailer, dry walling
20 de Noviembre (Mayan Village in Yucatan Peninsula)Painting, Cleaning natural water source, building palapa hut for latrine
Alaska AIDS Vaccine RIDE - Fairbanks to Anchorage - crew member (set-up), support for 1300 bicycle riders raising money for an AIDS vaccine
Montana AIDS Vaccine RIDE - Missoula to Billings - crew member (clean-up), support for 2000 bicycle riders raising money for an AIDS vaccine
Lucky Fork, KY - 3 trips, 2 as a team member, 1 as the team leader - Building repair, mortar work, planting, cleaning
Peeps I want to know more about... anyone that visits here! I'll not name anyone specific so there's no pressure!
Random thoughts on life and beading
13 comments:
Wow, Grace -- it was fun to read your response. I, too, was tagged and my response is up on my blog.
Hope you skipped that yardwork and stuck with the beading today!
Kathy V in NM
Grace, you are really amazing !
Hi Grace,
I'm a long-time lurker and admirer of your wonderful spirit and openness. Just stopped by to say I'm glad you're OK -- saw the horrible floods in IN and was worried about you and yours.
Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Oh my, you've done a lot of different jobs. The only job we have had in common is the cake decorator although I really decorated horsdouvres (just got hired as cake decorator). I forgot that part of the meme when I answered. Ooops.
I find the tags interesting. I really find how much alike people are with only minor differences. None of us want to pressure anyone but we want to have fun.
Did you see the bear in your Sept. page? I'm one of those people who sees things in clouds and I saw a "snail" in the shape two of my cacti formed so it could just be me.
I liked popcorn the old-fashioned way too until I got carpal tunnel and couldn't hold the pan anymore to shake it and pour out the popped corn! Hot air popped can be too dry which is why I spray on a little oil as it shoots into the bowl.
Kathy V - I DID skip the yard work it was WAY too hot!
Helene - aw, thanks - you're pretty amazing yourself
Libby - HOORAY! I lurker, de-lurked and I'm thrilled. I have a tendency to lurk myself so I understand and whatever it was that inspired you to post a comment, I'm grateful!
Freebird - so true that it seems that so many of us have more in common than not. I'm off to read your meme.
Like you I ruuuuuuuuun from being tagged! ahhhhhh!!!! who wants to read about my LIFE anyway??? lol Then, I ADMIT I love reading about other peop's lives (like YOURS) and so I dive in.
Wii fit... thought about this too! Feedback?
It takes a LIFETIME to learn all there is to know about folks and sometimes WE still MISS out on the opportunity, so I'm thoroughly Xcited to pour over your post here.. thanks Grace for sharing (and especially for not tagging me, LOL).
xo, Monica :)
Your trip to Liberec sounds wonderful and must have been the highlight of 1998! Oh...to go on a trip there now! Wouldn't it be fun! I'd definitely want to save some extra bucks for the little glass treasures I'd want to bring home! ;-)
Your hopes and dreams sound wonderful! I'm so glad you shared Grace!
Hugs...Lisa
Hi Grace,
Well I finally made it!!
Have been away fron blog land far too long....but am feeling better now and rarin' to go!!.
I was sitting here thinking of you and looking at the beautiful little doll you made and I was lucky enough to win. One of my favorite and meaningful treasures ;-}
I was amazed at your path in life,,, You sure have done and been and seen so much.. Ahhhhh sweet memories eh??
Thanks so much for sharing, I enjoyed my visit..I'll be back,,,
xoxo
((((hugs))))
Maggie
Grace:
Your volunteer work is fantastic. Someday, I hope that there will be an AIDS vaccine. I have seen many highly educated wonderful people succomb to AIDS or HIV. It makes me sad and angry. I worked as an AIDS coordinator for almost 2 years back in the early 90's and I burnt myself out quickly because of the intolerance and lack of understanding from common man. They thought it couldn't happen to them. How lil did they know. That guy they were working along side of slept with the girl with AIDS and he in turn, slept with some of their wives. It is a vicious circle in the world.
Sorry to be on a soap box,
Jeanne
http://gammiebrat.blogspot.com/
I wonder what you're up to Grace. I'm sure it is stunning work !
Thinking about you,
Hugs,
Hélène
Hi, I think this tagging thing is a great way to get to know other beaders. As you can see, at least 11 people were interested in knowing about you. I initially stopped here because I will be participating in the 2008 BJP and I am trying to visit the blogs of all other participants. I live in Indiana also, near South Bend. Its interesting to me that so many participants make dolls. Its something I want to try. Yours, BTW is gorgeous. Nice to meet you. I look forward to your future posts.
My dad lives in Ft. Wayne.
Have a happy 4th!
Dear Grace - I come by to visit you often and see that you are hopefully doing wonderful things that keep you from your blog. Just wanted to let you know -- I'm visiting and thinking of you. Hope all is well with you.
Cathie
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