: About Me

I am a Supervisory Human Resources Specialist, a former newspaper photojournalist, freelance writer, West Point graduate, former Active Duty Army officer, veteran of Iraq, and now a proud Army spouse serivng in the Army Reserves.

I double majored in Spanish and German at West Point, with a minor in Nuclear Engineering. I'm an Army certified Master Fitness Trainer. I learned to snowboard in the Alps, and finally once again live within weekend driving distance of a ski resort so I can get back to riding powder.

I lived in Germany for five years, with extensive travel to Austria, Denmark, Sweden, France, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, the Czech Republic, Iraq, and Kosovo. My better half and I have been back in the States for a few years, and we're both thinking it's time to see more of the world. We recently took a vacation to Hawai'i, and even saw a humuhumunukunukuapua'a.

PUBLICATIONS I HAVE WRITTEN FOR: The Guidon (newspaper); Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Information Analysis Center (magazine); Army Chemical Review (magazine); The Patriot (newspaper); and Command Magazine

WRITING AWARDS: 2008 Thomas Jefferson Award for metro format newspapers (best newspaper in the Department of Defense - including Air Force, Navy, Army, Marines, and all Active, Reserve and National Guard components)

2008 Keith L. Ware Award for metro format newspaper (best newspaper in the Department of the Army)

2008 Keith L. Ware IMCOM-NE Region Award for best metro format newspaper (best Department of the Army newspaper in the North-East Installation Management Command region)

1st Place - 2008 Keith L. Ware competition in special media "From citizen to Soldier" in the DA IMCOM-NE region

1st Place - the 7th Arts! Rolla Writing Contest in Fiction. See my link on the side.

2nd Place - 2009 Missouri Press Association Better Newspaper Contest for Best Special Section - Weeklies, Class 2

2nd Place - 2008 Keith L Ware competition in commentaries "Your weight, your choice" in the DA IMCOM-NE region

3rd Place - 2009 Missouri Press Association Better Newspaper Contest for Best Columnist - Serious

HELIUM FRONT PAGE ARTICLES: How to get into West Point; The difference between women's trail shoes and hiking shoes; Testimonies: How I knew the military was my dream job; Which is better: Coffee or tea?; Testimonies: Civilian life after Iraq; and How to keep customers by building trust on your website

My passion is ...

knowing God's glory and making it known to others.

I know too much about ...

unique exercises you can do with a stability ball.

My parents always told me ...

that I could do anything.

My childhood ambition ...

to be a NASA astronaut, or lion tamer, or special agent...

My favorite memory ...

falling in love with my husband on a group hike in the Alps.

Why I write ...

the words just pour out of me. I write letters to my great aunt Edith who doesn't have e-mail!

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

Washington's Crossing - I find key people in history, their choices and their influence, fascinating

My first job ...

was as an officer in the U.S. Army.

My best moment ...

was walking down the aisle towards my amazing husband.

Health & Fitness > Exercise (Other) Becoming a triathlete: Not as hard as it sounds

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People of all ages and fitness levels can become triathletes. While the pros are all svelte cheetahs, speeding through the events with pizazz and 6 percent body-fat, normal people can do triathlons, too. While you may not be as fast, get paid money by a sponsor, or look particularly sexy in spandex, becoming a triathlete is a realistic goal for the majority of people on the planet. So what do you need to get started? You need a bike, some running shoes, a swimsuit and a pair of goggles. You will also need to be decent at swimming 300 to 500 meters in open water, and be able to ride your bi...

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Writing:

• Marketplace Premier Writer
• Creative Writing Silver
• 1Writing Contest Winner
• Marketplace Approved Writer
• 9Marketplace Articles Sold
• Helium Charter Member