: About Me

My husband jokes that on my tombstone, he's going to put "Mother of Four and Defender of Nations." I say over my dead body!

Anyway, that should tell you we're pretty irreverent, enjoy a good laugh, and don't take ourselves too seriously.

As for myself, I take the world around me very seriously. There are so many issues that need to be humanized and dealt with humanely, that I couldn't even pick one to start with. Whether its the latest examples of mean girls in school or blind politicians in the world, I just want to see people behave with a little kindness in their hearts.

So, ok, that sounds pontifical... I'm a gal who cares about people. That's all. I've been a newspaper reporter, with a special love of exposing ill treatment of workers, cruel business practices of corporate giants, or the oft gut-wrenching or heart-warming stories of just how human human beings can be...

I've also been an emergency director for the American Red Cross, first woman firefighter (oh, that goes back a ways) in my city, and a public speaker encouraging young girls to break the bonds of expectations and reach beyond boundaries.

And I want to encourage you, too. Don't spend too much time in front of this screen! Go and find some people, really any people will do, and be a people watcher. See if you don't see some random acts of kindness. The other day, a couple of young teens were at the mall's food court counting out their coins to get a happy meal to share. they were 53-cents short. An older gal behind them in line (clearly not a relative) paid the 53-cents and ordered a second happy meal, so they could each have their own. Now, didn't that make you smile? It's true, too.

OK, now its your turn. Go be random! :D

Education > College Search Padding the college application: Why extracurriculars are important

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As a suit makes the man, extracurriculars makes the college application. Colleges and universities are receiving record numbers of applications from high school seniors this year, and every admission counselor we've contacted has asked about the extras. "What sports does your son play?" "What clubs has your daughter joined? Is she an officer in any clubs?" "Does he play any instruments?" Extracurricular activities are often the deciding factors between academically superior candidates. It is often the thing that makes the student shine. As one Admissions Officer at Princeton University adv...

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