There is so much to tell! I am a product of a thousand lifetimes. Let's start with the current version of me; I like that one best...

I am a single mom of a 13-year-old girl and a two-year-old boy. They are both incredible people and are going to do great things some day. This doesn't define me but it definitely grounds me and might give you some insight. My 72-year-old mother and an ornery cat also depend on me to keep a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. On the other hand, maybe it's a 72-year-old cat and an ornery mother, who can tell the difference?

I own my own home in which we all live. A serious accomplishment considering the fact that I spent my childhood partially homeless and profoundly poor. After a period of very bad behavior and constant trial and error, I find myself at a place of amazing accomplishments, against all odds. I work full time for a very large financial firm in another state to which I commute a total of two hours a day. Though relatively successful at it, I am not a corporate businessperson, at least not by nature. I was born an artist.

When I use the term "artist", I'm referencing it in every sense of the word; Bohemian, non-committal, and generally a non-conformist. Being an artist is nice, but it doesn't feed the troops. As a result of that, I am also an on-line student at Strayer University pursuing my degree in Business Administration.

Moreover, I feel the personal need to explore my own capability. I am always looking for ways to become rounded. I chose to volunteer my time as a mentor, sharing my own experiences, and finally becoming an embodiment of the idea that a person is never too old to stop learning. I attend college not only for its practicality, my career, and my responsibility as a role model, but because I truly believe that, I am never too old to stop learning.

I have been on the production side of printing for the last 18 years. I was a proofreader for many years, worked for a newspaper for many more years, and currently work in an operation that produces marketing material. My current role specializes in operational risk management and business process.

My passion is ...

Definitely not limited. Historical culture, art, music, reading, writing and everything right-brained, including psychology and the classic armchair philosophy.

I know too much about ...

Nothing. You can never know too much.

My parents always told me ...

"There is always an answer to every problem." was my mother's favorite quote. What she failed to mention is that sometimes the perceived "answer" can get you into a lot of trouble.

My childhood ambition ...

To be the boss, I think. I was a very bossy kid. I do remember wanting to drive a tractor-trailer at one point...very ambitious for the smallest girl in the class.

My favorite memory ...

The birth of my children. Which would equal two memories really, so I'm cheating. I'm talking about the whole experience starting from early labor through the 24 hour period that follows. All the details are still vivid and the gamut of emotions are still fresh in my mind. It was a profound and different experience each time, with an array of very funny moments and intense feelings of joy, satisfaction, relief and DREAD!

Why I write ...

What comes out on the page is a direct line to my thoughts and I would hate to have a really great one and have no one else know about it. Maybe I'm just a giant show-off, but for some strange reason, people like to read what I write. Regardless, I have an intense need to be creative.

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

It's a rare and quiet moment. I'm on a countdown to when my children come home; the only sounds are the tapping of my fingers on the keyboard and the gentle whoosh of the traffic outside. In one hour and thirty eight minutes it will sound like there is a marching band, six geese, two elephants and a small cheerleading squad in my living room/office/general all-around family room.

My first job ...

Every day after school beginning when I was 12 years old until I was 18, I cared for no less than three kids at a time for two different families. Their ages would range from infant to school age. Care giving sometimes consisted of dinner, bath, homework and abuse. (I was the one receiving the abuse.) This is the era before daycare when working families desperately needed responsible, all-inclusive childcare.

My best moment ...

I've had a few close calls, awards, a brief moment on the local evening news, newspaper articles featuring my contribution, etc., but I don't think I've really had "it" yet. I'm still working toward my greatest moment.

My inspiration ...

I. Me. Myself. I am my own greatest inspiration and continue to drive myself to be better at being me every day. I want to learn, inspire, coach, and impact someone in a positive way a little more each day.

Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms The role that accents play in identity

1 of 3

Don't even get me started on accents! OK, get me started. I can't fully recall the first time I became aware of the fact that I had an accent when I spoke, but I'm willing to bet that it was brought to my attention by some snotty kid who spoke differently than I, and who felt the uncontrollable need to bring attention to it. I do remember becoming aware, however. It probably went something like this, I was being teased (I was always being teased in some way) and I, through natural defense, and without thought blurted out "Yo maaan! Knockidawf!" Without fail, I'm sure my words, horrific acce...

More..

Writing: