Mother, wife, writer...in that order
Parents know best -- but don't tell my mom. Her encouragement (borderline nagging) and my reluctance to take a high school journalism class somehow developed into a love for words. I am fascinated by communication, and I value the inspiration that it can create. People don’t just read words, they feel them, and when put together in the right combination, words can do powerful things for you.
Still, entering college, I knew journalists didn't make much money, so I opted for a business and finance track. In the early 90s when everyone was making money, I thought this would be the most prolific career choice. As first quarter finals approached, I was barely clearing a C- in economics. My final was a term paper that chronicled a stock I had been watching the entire term, and I received a solid 4.0 on that paper. Since I know that I had not fully grasped the concept of supply and demand at that point, I can only attribute the perfect grade to my writing. The next week, I changed my major from business to journalism.
My first newspaper gig was at the Seguin Gazette-Enterprise in Seguin, Texas. Interestingly, this is the town where my grandparents spent their wedding night and where my mother was born. I even managed to look up my mother's birth announcement in the newspaper's archives. Funny how we discover those full-circle moments.
I then edited copy for a graphics company and traveled to Korea, where I also edited textbook copy translated from Korean to English and taught English to employees of private companies and university students. I took some time off after my son was born, and eventually ended up at Joint Base Lewis-McChord working in the public affairs office at Madigan Healthcare System. I then dabbled in fund raising and development for a couple of years before returning to JBLM as a news reporter for The Northwest Guardian. Then, in January 2014, we made a huge leap of faith and moved from Washington state to Maryland. I'm currently a staff writer for The Journal at Naval Support Activity Bethesda.
In December 2012, I received my Master's degree in communication and leadership from Gonzaga University in Spokane. My thesis involved YouTube and social penetration theory. Please don't ask me to explain.
My son, my husband and our cat, Cozy are where I find comfort. Oh, and also in words.