I am a 40 something single parent living in Houghton Lake, Michigan. I believe Houghton Lake is the largest inland lake in Michigan, so if I had the money I could enjoy all the watersports, but that will have to wait until I graduate in the Winter of 2008!

Throughout my life I have been: a waitress, a cook, a soda jerk, a manager at Wendy's, a barmaid, a rough carpenter, a newspaper delivery person, a paralegal, a printer, an assistant horse trainer for standardbreds, and most currenly a parapro for middle/high schoolers. I am working toward Teacher's Certification in Secondary Education at U of M Flint.

Nick, my son is the oldest having just turned 20. Holly is the "middle" kid at 14 and Skye is the baby at 12. My son is the one who drives me nuts but I'm sure the girls are just warming up in the bull pen for their turn!

I have three rescue dogs, one collie, one lab and one minature doberman. Gizmo, the only cat keeps them all in line. We have a male? female? guinea pig named Harry Potter who was saved from being coyote bait. Yes, we have a menagerie.

I am looking forward to actively participating in Helium; the site was recommended by a friend of mine and he finds it quite helpful!

My passion is ...

my children, writing and teaching

I know too much about ...

Paris Hilton! :-)

My parents always told me ...

to stay in school! Wish I would've listened!

My childhood ambition ...

was to become a jockey! Or an astronomer!

My favorite memory ...

Going to the Museum of Natural History in Denver, Colorado.

Why I write ...

I love reading, I feel moved to write!

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

"The Fourth Order" by Stephen Frey, Crossing Jordan, Queen or Fall Out Boy! Also like the new White Stripes!

My first job ...

Baskin Robbins. I was 13 and lied about my age!

My best moment ...

the birth of all my children!

My inspiration ...

my kids. Couldn't do it without 'em!

Politics, News & Issues > Pulitzer Center How can US foreign policy be improved by the paradox that Iran is often viewed as America's most serious threat even though its youthful population is among the most pro-western Muslim countries?

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Since the attacks on American soil in 2001, the foreign policy of the U.S. has polarized the world into two camps: those "for" or those "against" us. Most average Americans perceive this in the more simple version of either you are a terrorist - Islamic, or you're a "patriot," who will support the U.S. no matter what. In keeping with this mentality, the current administration has demonstrated few negotiation skills, preferring to "walk tall and carry a big stick" rather than sit down for formal discussions. To carry this one step further, if a country dares to oppose U.S. policies and i...

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