Weekend Open Thread: What’s Your Story?

In today’s shortcuts column, a discussion sprang up in the comments section over reader’s ages, where people live and what they do for a living. I suggested we move the discussion to this weekend’s open thread and here we are. So, consider this a meet-n-greet. Now’s your chance to formally introduce yourself to other DW community members and find out a little about them. Feel free to give your biological age, your emotional age, what your job is, where you live, what you do for fun, and relationship status … and anything else you want to talk about.

I’ll start: I just turned 35, but I’ve felt 28 for the last seven years. I grew up in Japan, Korea, and Germany, and went to college in Missouri and grad school in Chicago. Now I live in a rehabbed brownstone on a leafy street in Brooklyn with my husband, Drew, and our two cats, Simone and Miles. We’re expecting a baby boy in one month. I like Tootsie Rolls, salt water taffy, Paris, karaoke, and raspberry colored lip gloss.

Your turn.

[image via this isn’t happiness]

416 Comments

  1. I’m 25 and live in San Francisco. I’m originally from Vancouver, Canada and went back east for school where I did my degree in Microbiology and Immunology at McGill in Montreal. I’m a molecular biology ph.d. student who loves to swim (recently “escaped” from alcatraz, so fun, although a little chilly!). I live with my amazing boyfriend who is also a scientist and canadian transplant to the US.

      1. Double Yay!

      2. lets_be_honest says:

        Canucks, eh. Ha, couldn’t help myself!

    1. Landygirl says:

      I’m also in San Francisco! Hi neighbor!

      1. It’s actually warm for once!!

    2. Do you love San Francisco?? I have an affinity for Vancouver (& the Canucks!!!!) but I have been thinking of moving to SanFran…. How does it compare???

      1. I was born in SF and I think it is the most beautiful city in the world.

      2. Vancouver and SF are both AMAZING. Very similar in terms of things to do out doors and being very liberal. SF weather is much nicer. Vancouver is a bit more cowboy/hockey while SF is more hipster. SF definitely has more of a darker under belly but that is true comparing any US city to a Canadian city. SF is VERY expensive to live in, unless you live in a bad part so really I’d just go where you can get the best job. Both beautiful places to live and my top 2 out of anywhere to live in the world. Probably can’t go wrong either way!

  2. TheOtherMe says:

    My name is Isabelle, from Montreal,Canada. I am now 40… living alone ( by choice ) -well, with my pets although that might change eventually. I feel like most of the commenters know quite a bit about me, well specifically the ones who came from TF.

    For the others who might be curious, I was revealed on TF so my info is all there 🙂

    1. I <3 Canadia & Montreal : ))))

      I'm a hockey fan amplified by my love of "eh???" & the men with skating muscles, duh

  3. Ooh Ooh I love this!

    I’m about to turn 47 (in two short weeks!) and live in Maryland – born & raised. I don’t feel or (hopefully) look anywhere near my age, I guess I’m waiting for those 47 years to catch up to me. I went to school for nursing, but decided it just wasn’t for me (a little too empathetic, just couldn’t stand to see people in pain & I couldn’t “fix” it), so now I’m working at the best job I’ve ever had – a nonprofit that provides research, treatment & education for kids with developmental and brain injuries. Love love love my job!

    I am the world’s worst cook – yes, I burned a pot of boiling water once. I the proud mommy of a 12 year old girl – best kid ever, and I’m not at all biased. 🙂 I’m a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and although I used to teach for a bit, I haven’t set foot in a dojo in years. I say all the time I’m going to go back for my second degree, but life just keeps getting in the way! I’m tragically single, still looking for my prince charming to fall from the sky and land safely in my lap. Not the best plan, but it’s all I’ve got right now.

    I wish my life were a little more exciting, I havent’ traveled much of anywhere, my dream right now is to get to Vegas – SOON! With the economy, the housing market, and my singledom, I’ll dare to dream.

    Looking forward to “meeting everyone” & hearing your stories! 🙂

    1. GingerLaine says:

      Hi! I just wanted to comment to “explain my thumbs up.” 🙂 My husband is a second degree black belt in TKD & also taught for a number of years. I’ve come to gain a great deal of respect for the art, and wanted to tell you I think it’s awesome, and hope you can return to your passion soon! Hubs hasn’t been practicing TKD for some time himself, and is constantly longing to go back, so I know your pain vicariously! 😉 Good luck, Eljay!

      1. Thanks GingerLaine! I do love the sport and would LOVE to get back to it. I enrolled my daughter when she was 5 (hoping to start a family tradition) and she hated it! That was 6 years ago and she never looked back! But i will definitely find my way back to the dojo, one way or another. 🙂

    2. Beckaleigh says:

      I’m from Maryland too! We just recently moved right over the line into Pennsylvania.

      1. Very kewl!

  4. TheOtherMe says:

    I have a feeling this thread is going to be the most popular one, for a long time 🙂

    1. Britannia says:

      It *is* pretty awesome. I love learning more about the person behind the avatar!

  5. I’m from Northern Ontario (teeny town on Lake Superior) Canada, 27 years old (28 next month, but who’s counting?). I have been in Colorado for the past 2 years doing a PhD. I live with 2 hilarious kitties and some dead plants. I have an amazing boyfriend who keeps me sane. I have no time for hobbies, but I do love to cook, and I’m learning Italian (the language of love… and of the bf’s fam).

      1. I miss Ontario. And I love Ottawa, but haven’t been in years.

      2. Come for a visit 🙂

      3. Sadly, I only get to Canada once a year, and opted for home + Niagara-on-the-Lake when the bf and I went back this summer. 🙂 Maybe next Christmas, when Canada gets back on the travel rotation. I have several fabulous friends in Ottawa who deserve a visit.

    1. I left my heart on Lake Muskoka : )

    2. I’m from a teeny town in Northern Ontario on Lake superior too!
      i bet I’d be one of the few people who have actually passed through your town 😛

  6. I’m Emma and I’m 21. I was born in Oklahoma, but lived most of my life in Springfield, MO. I now live in Philadelphia. I’m in my junior year at Temple University, studying journalism (magazine track).

    I’m engaged to my fiance, Kyle, who currently lives with me. We’ve known each other for about eight years now, and have been dating two, going on three. Before we dated we were close friends. We won’t get married until I graduate, just to avoid a whole fuss. We have two cats, Ginger and Kiki, who are sisters (estranged at birth, but now together again).

    My favorite books are Catch-22, Lolita, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Scanner Darkly. I enjoy recreational drugs (opiates and cocaine excluded). I play the violin, and I used to play the French horn. I’m working on a sci-fi novel, but who the hell knows if and when that’ll get done. I like the city, but I miss having a garden.

    If I could be anywhere, doing anything right now, I’d be in Missouri, in the summer, riding my horse, or in some woods, exploring.

    1. I should also mention that I love cooking/baking, dancing, sci-fi (Star Trek and Doctor Who, for example), an eclectic variety of music and fashion.

      1. Ooh! What’s your favorite Star Trek? I think TNG is my fave but I also like Voyager a lot. And Deep Space Nine.

      2. Britannia says:

        TNG has also been my personal favorite for a long time, but then when someone asked me about it while I was in Bookman’s one day, I found myself telling them Voyager. TNG was wonderful for its charismatic and memorable crew, interesting story lines (I appreciated the “puzzle problems” some episodes were about solving), and excellent cast sets. But Voyager was also really wonderful because the crew had a dilemma you could really get involved in, the Q characters story lines were much funnier, they did a lot more episodes about meeting alien species and visiting new worlds, and also the Borg plot (and takedown of the Borg Queen) was one of the best story lines I think I’ve ever seen on television.

      3. TNG is my favorite, just because it has a nice flow, the characters are great, and I honestly think it has the best acting. Voyager has good story arcs, though.

        I don’t like DS9, really. But the rest I can watch any day, no problem.

      4. Britannia says:

        Our likes are practically identical! What about the Stargates? Star Trek > any other Sci-Fi, imo, but still, Stargate: SG1 and SG: Universe were pretty awesome.

    2. Springfield Mo represent!

      1. Landygirl says:

        My soon to be in-laws live in Springfield, MO!

      2. Addie Pray says:

        I was born in Springfield, MO!

      3. Landygirl says:

        It’s a popular place!!

      4. Addie Pray says:

        And so was my boyfriend, Brad Pitt, btw.

      5. me too!

      6. ST. LOUIS! 🙂

      7. landygirl says:

        My MIL and FIL live there!

    3. NicoleMarie says:

      I’m from Columbia, MO 🙂 Not living there currently, however.

      1. Addie Pray says:

        Hey – I grew up in Columbia. Born in Springfield but Como is my hometown for sure. I was a kewpie… you?

    4. i spent part of my childhood in st. peters, but i haven’t been back to MO since 1997!

      1. fast eddie says:

        My mom’s twin sister had a jewelry business at state fairs for 40 years that included Springfield and Sedalia. I was there many times, nice folks around there.

    5. Oooo! I’m an Emma too! 🙂

    6. Emma, you should try National Novel Wtriting Month (NaNoWriMo) in November if you haven’t already. I found it quite helpful in spurring my writing efforts. Website is here: http://www.nanowrimo.org. There’s also ScriptFrenzy in April if you’re so inclined.

  7. ArtsyGirly says:

    I am 26 years old, with degrees in art history and anthropology and currently living in the mid-west. I work at a large museum in the African curatorial department and also teach at a local university. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we live in a house with lots of land for our two dogs to run and play in. We have a rescued pit-bull hound mix named Darwin and a dumb English sheepdog named Angus. We also have two girl ferrets named Abby and Zeva who sleep 90% of the time and are wild the other 10%. I have dubbed our house Grand Central, because we have people over almost every day of the week. I love reading, especially biographies, baking (not cooking), and shopping.

    1. Oh I so envy your baking skills. When I bought my house, the best part of it was the extremely large kitchen (and master bath). I keep saying I’m going to take a cooking class or two, but again….life gets in the way!

    2. I wish I had more time to bake. I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving with my brother, because I made these tiny tart-sized pumpkin pies last year, and they turned out really yummy (my brother stole them all, haha). I also like making tarts.

      You have a speciality?

      1. ArtsyGirly says:

        I love all kinds of cookies, the most requested are honey cookies or my salted butterscotch nut bar.

    3. heidikins says:

      I LOVE that you’ve named your ferret’s Abby and Zeva. #NCIS4EVER!

      xox

  8. I’m 30 and I live in Pawleys Island, SC. I’m originally from Gloucester, VA. I’ve moved up and down the east coast over the past 10 years working in marine science. I’ve done marine mammal rescue, sea turtle rescue and now I work behind a desk staring at data all day. I think I’ve been promoted but some days I feel like I’m being punished. I miss the outside sometimes. But, then again I don’t miss a lot of things about working in the field.

    I’m married and have two ‘children’ who are both lab mixes (we think, they’re definitely mutts :)). When I’m not reading DearWendy I like to read, drink wine, and take my dogs to the beach. My husband is a big fan of movies so I tend to watch a lot of movies, sometimes good sometimes bad. And I love my Netflix instant feed.

    1. Yay Gloucester! One of my best friends is from Mathews!

      1. That is crazy. They are both such small small towns, you hardly ever meet anyone who is from there or knows anyone from there!

    2. and i’ve mentioned once before on a different thread my one dog is part pit bull but we found out post adoption after we had already moved her in to our apartment that doesn’t allow them so we still call her a lab mix. she doesn’t look like a pit bull so until our current lease is up she’s going to remain a lab mix!

      1. We did this also with our pit bull/lab mix. She’s a black lab mix so we can hide her as being “some kind of mix” but when she gets really excited and her lips puff out and runs fast during a walk she’s all pit bull. I try to hide it from our neighbors, but really, she’s a scaredy cat rescue dog that is a big pile of emotional goo, that I can’t believe people would be scared of her even if they knew! but the breed name just has such bad feelings attached to it for some people it upsets me.

      2. yep, two scaredy cat resscue dogs over here too. i agree about the breed. my girl is a cuddlebug who only comes close to hurting you if you don’t rub her belly for an adequate amount of time.

      1. Awesome, hello! 🙂

  9. Ooohhh, this is such a fun open thread!

    I’m 23, degree in music education. Didn’t get a full time job this year so I’m a substitute teacher for all grades and all subject areas. My favorite age is middle school kids because they’re so goofy and totally ridiculous. There’s a definite soft spot in my heart for them.

    I’ve lived in Minnesota my entire life — went to college here too. Despite crazy cold temperatures in the winter and crazy hot and humid days in the summer I love it here. I’ve been dating my man for 2+ years long distance and I’m pretty darn sure he’s the love of my life. 🙂 I have a 3-year-old cat and an 11-year-old dog, both whom I love dearly. I love to read, bake, cook, knit, crochet, practice my musical instrument(s) and travel.

    1. What instruments do you play?

      1. My primary is flute, secondary euphonium. I practice the piano, guitar, trumpet, and saxophone on a fairly regular basis, though I definitely wouldn’t say I’m good at playing them. 🙂

      2. That’s quite a wide variety, haha. I’m trying to expand my own musicality. I’m looking into getting a banjo or a mandolin. I’d go for guitar, but being a violinist, I have trouble with the whole concept of playing more than one note at a time, ha. How am I supposed to remember where all of my fingers are supposed to go?

      3. Arg! I hear you on the switching from violin to guitar. I’ve played violin for 16 years. My oldest is now playing the violin and I get so frustrated with him now that he’s starting to learn fingerings. He was originally taught the guitar by my brother, and he can’t figure out why he can only use one string at a time.

      4. Maybe try explaining to him that he’s playing the melody instead of accompaniment? As in, play a pop song for him and have him listen for the guitar(s) and tell him that what he’s doing on violin is playing what the singer is singing, not the background music. Then he might be able to recognize that you only need one note for violin, not 4-6 as you would on the guitar. Also, if he’s struggling to use only one finger at one time on violin because of what he has learned on guitar, what you could do is focus on one finger at a time, starting with his pointer. You would likely have to help him so that the other fingers don’t go down at the same time, even physically push that one finger down for him at first so he can understand that concept. Or you could even have your brother teach him how to play melodies on guitar so he gets used to the concept on an instrument in which he is already familiar.

        How old is your son? Usually younger kids are able to pick up new concepts pretty quickly.

      5. He’s 11, almost 12 – but is ADHD so he gets distracted VERY easily. He’s like the dogs in “Up”, as a collective.

      6. Awwww…I love the dog from Up! What a fun movie.

        “I was hiding under your porch because I love you.”

      7. freaking love that movie

      8. Yup, there is a possibility that I may eventually end up teaching elementary music, band, AND choir if I end up working in a tiny school, so I’m trying to prepare myself. My ideal job is middle school band or 5-12 band. No elementary for me, thank you very much. Those young ones are just always so needy and germy and sticky… *shudder* Personally I’m not a fan of kindergarten-2nd grade…teachers who deal with them all day every day are SAINTS. I worked in an elementary today too so I got to experience the stickiness firsthand. Ugh.

      9. Painted_lady says:

        L, it’s the arts everywhere, not just in small districts unfortunately. I teach three subjects in two schools, and it’s cuh-razy. My kids make it totally worth my time, though!

      10. Painted_lady, I was going to ask you what you teach, and then you posted your blurb at the end of the thread, so now I know! If I may ask, what’s your degree/teaching certification in?

        I’m going to go on a rant here, so bear with me…What I’ve found is (fortunately) for music, a lot of times larger districts still have one person for choir, one person for band, one person for elementary…and sometimes, when they’re REALLY lucky, there is one person for high school band, one person for middle school band, etc. Elementary, band, and choir put all together in a K-12 job is something that is AT LEAST the work of 3 teachers. For example: elementary, K-5: 6 classes. Band: 2-3 classes, middle and high school. Maybe a jazz band or two. Choir: 2-3 classes, middle and high school. That’s 11-ish classes during the school day. Time for a prep? Nope. And if you want your kids to be good at what they do, you find time for lessons. And of course, pep band is expected at home games. And traveling to contests in high school. Ugh. Overwhelming for sure.

        I’m sure you can relate as someone who teaches in the arts, Painted_lady! Just had to rant for a minute. 🙂

      11. Painted_lady says:

        Preaching to the choir, so to speak. In theatre, we’re expected to compete in a One-Act Play contest, but I don’t have that as a class, and so my rehearsals have to be after school. Trying to convince a middle school kid to stay after school is incredibly frustrating, to say the least, especially at the very low SES school that I’m at, where anything extracurricular that isn’t sports is “gay.” Sigh. Our band and choir don’t even rehearse after school because the teachers say it’s impossible to get a large enough group. Right now I have 5 kids, and most age-appropriate scripts assume that a school play should include as much of the school as possible, so we’re having to write out own.

        I’m certified in art and theatre, and I would have a planning period except I spend a sizable chunk of it traveling between my schools. And I can’t plan after school because I have kids in my room, so I’m one of the first in the building in the morning, and I’m always the last to leave. And I don’t often complain (unlike now), but when I do I’m reminded that as a fine arts teacher, I’m lucky to have a job. Which sort of reminds me of the boyfriend who hits his girlfriend and then tells her she should be thankful, because she deserved much worse than what he gave her.

        That said, I do love my job.

      12. Oh, I’m with you there! I try not to complain, especially because I’m not even in my first full time job yet, but I’m so terrified of burn out after 3-5 years. I’m especially terrified if I get saddled with something where I’m THE music teacher. As in, teach EVERYTHING. I’m one who will put everything into a program and spend like 16 hours at school and do extracurricular stuff and try to get involved in committees and everything else. I’ve been preparing myself to have literally no life, haha.

        I feel like we could sit down to coffee and chat for HOURS about this stuff. Man, I love this open thread!

      13. Painted_lady says:

        I wish we could! As much as I complain and as overwhelming as it gets sometimes, I do absolutely love what I do. These kids are some of my favorite people – I have moments when they’re being, well, kids, and rolling their eyes and saying snotty things, where I just want to shake them and go, “Do you have any idea how much of my life I spend worrying about you? Do you have ANY IDEA???” Which obviously wouldn’t help much, but it’s occasionally tempting.

      14. Emma, I play violin too and my problem with guitar was the wide necks. An old boyfriend had a really nice Martin with a narrow neck that was easier to play but guitars just hurt my hand. I do like mandolins and dulcimers tho.

    2. I love to knit and crochet! Really would hate for these lovely crafts to die out. How did you learn?

      1. Yay! A fellow yarn tamer! 🙂

        I learned to crochet when I was 8 years old when my mom and I took a class together. I almost prefer crocheting over knitting because I’ve been doing it for so long. A friend taught me to knit in high school. I’ve been meaning to pick it up again more this year to get in the hang of it and get more comfortable with it. I have some new patterns too so that will be fun!

        I doubt knitting and crocheting will die out since they’re so awesome and such lovely gifts. And they’re practical–I make scarves, hats, and mittens most of the time. In Minnesota I use the fruits of my labor 6 months out of the year!

      2. Painted_lady says:

        Love knitting! I make a lot of lightweight stuff because in Houston we don’t have much cause for the really heavy stuff except for maybe 3 months out of the year (although it gets pretty chilly sometimes – it doesn’t snow but it’s humid enough that a friend likened it to jumping in a swimming pool and then walking around in 40-degree weather). It’s a great art project for my kids, too. I order class sets of needles, and it becomes an incentive: do your work and I’ll let you knit the last 10 minutes.

      3. I learned from my Gran 🙂 Definitely a crochet lover, I’ve only recently taken up knitting again and I’m still really slow but I can crochet really quickly. You should check out the Lion Brand Yarn website they have loads of great free patterns that you can make up in any kind of wool. My latest project has been baby booties since I’ve got two very pregnant friends at the moment, they are so cute! Think I’m going to do hat/gloves/purse sets as gifts this winter, just bought loads of new sequins for decoration 🙂

      4. Nice! I’ve found crocheting to be easier for me to understand, and as you said, doesn’t take as long to do. I will definitely check out that website! I love Lion Brand yarn. And new patterns. Win. I just bought a pattern book that was on sale with 5 sets of scarves, mittens, and hats, so my friends know what they’re getting for Christmas…ha. I also recently went yarn shopping unsupervised–BAD idea. I love yarn so much! And this solidifies my “nerd” status. 🙂

      5. i want to learn to knit and crochet so bad. a friend of mine taught me a little bit, and it was so nice to do. i am the type that can just sit and do something for HOURS- like surf the web, cough cough, lol… but, i did find that when i would knit forever, my eyes didnt hurt like they do after staring at a computer screen for a while. i havent done it since I moved, about 6 months, and so i dont even know if i can remember the one stitch that my friend taught me!! dang it!

      6. Katie, it’s so fun! I think you should put it on your bucket list. 🙂 In some places there are community ed classes focused on knitting and/or crocheting. That’s where I learned to crochet with my mom. Also Michael’s an JoAnn Fabrics often have really cool craft classes. If they don’t have one related to knitting or crocheting, maybe ask them if they could hold one in the near future. Find a friend or three who want to learn and go for it! I’m sure if the staff knew there was an interest for something like that, they would look to host one!

      7. Yeah… I’m not allowed in the wool shop alone either haha. Have now got a whole chest in my bedroom full of craft stuff and my house is turning into a crochet nightmare. I really need to start giving more of it away. There are a few of my projects on my website ^ if you’re interested 🙂

    3. Elizabeth says:

      I grew up in the Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis before my parents moved us to Plymouth midway through high school! Good old Minnesota, eh?

    4. Sailorbabe says:

      Where in MN? I’m from Northern WI but have friends in the Twin Cities area, Mankato and St. Cloud.

  10. Hi everyone! I’m Lydia and I’m 24 years old. My mental age varies daily. I’m Dutch and live with my fiance in a gorgeous apartment in a suburb of Utrecht (yes, there are more places in the Netherlands than just Amsterdam! ;)).

    I studied Literature in University, but am now working as a reporter and editor for a magazine that targets the waste industry – not what I thought or hoped I’d be doing, but interesting none the less. In my spare time I like reading, eating Indian food and travelling through Europe.

    1. Utrecht, I hear it’s an nice place to write international treaties 🙂

      1. It is! Also a very nice place in general. 🙂

  11. I’m 25, born in Arizona, raised in an bitty town in Pennsylvania (ever hear of New Florence…anyone? Probably not), currently living in Oregon. Two cats, Whelan and Corbett, who are currently the loves of my life, just don’t tell my girlfriend. I’m a proud aunt to 2 little girls and 2 1/2 boys, one of them is still gestating. I have a degree in Psychology but am currently working in managed care at a cancer clinic in Portland. Not what I had in mind but you never know what’s going to happen at the end of the day. Besides, after spending 2 years unemployed and desperately searching I’m thankful every day for this job, that I actually love. For the first time I feel like I’m doing something that matters. I feel very old, like I have to grow up but at the same time I feel way to young to have to be such an adult, as complicated as that sounds.
    I’m a wannabe fiction writer, bibliophile, and am ashamed of how much I watch “Say Yes to the Dress”.
    I have baby fever so bad I feel my eggs committing suicide every month! I’m currently looking for a cure, but it doesn’t help that everyone I know is either have kids, are in the process of having children, or trying. That’s the most exciting thing about me right now.

    1. I deal with my baby fever by admiring men for their genetic qualities and seeking out sperm donors. No lies–I have a list of three guys so far. The third is a math PhD student, 6′ tall, good looking, and overall delightful. It’s so exciting. Ridiculous but fun.

    2. I have baby fever too. I saw the most beautiful baby girl at the store today. 8 weeks old, looked to be half Indian half Caucasian, with a big flower headband on, and I went crazy wishing I could take her home with me. I WISH I could start trying for a baby, but I definitely don’t think my boyfriend is ready, plus I want to be married and hopefully make more money. Sigh. Let me know when you find the cure cuz I’m definitely going baby crazy.

      1. fast eddie says:

        I’ve known a few people that waited for things to be just right before conceiving and suddenly it was too late. Lot’s of regret followed.

      2. Definitely heard that too. Thankfully, I am only 25, so I am hoping to make things right before 30 🙂

      3. I’m only 25!! 🙁 I have some time…right….RIGHT?!?!
        I need to find me a ginger to conceive with, I love redheads and am so jealous that my sibling got the red hair and I didn’t. Everytime I see a redhead on the street I’m always sizing him up just like Christy.

    3. not only have I heard of New Florence, I’ve been there. I live in Greensburg 🙂

  12. Calliopedork says:

    I am almost 23, but I alternate between feeling 30 & 15. I work in travel in a company where everyone is much older than me. I am in school to be an english teacher but I love my job and am having trouble.justifying quiting to finish school. Ilive in colorado with my boyfriend, 2 dogs and roomates I used to be friends with. I love potatoes lipgloss and cinnamon

    1. lets_be_honest says:

      I’m guessing you meant potatos and lip gloss, not potato flavored lip gloss haha. High five for potatoes! I’d die without carbs.

      1. Calliopedork says:

        If that exists i’ll try it and I might like that to.

      2. lets_be_honest says:

        Haha, right?! I could easily and very happily survive off potatoes and coffee. Ok fine cigarettes too.

      3. Painted_lady says:

        God I wish I could quit smoking. But then how would I justify the 10 minutes a day I’m outside pacing and talking myself out of punching a kid (not really, I would never ever, I adore them)?

      4. lets_be_honest says:

        Yup, it’s got the hold on me too. I’d die without my short little breaks from the daily insanity. Of course I’ll die from the cigs too, but seems less immediate. Half kidding but it’s terrible.

      5. I quit about 2 years ago (not quite). It was the hardest thing everrrrrr but totally worth it in the end. I was just thinking the other day how glad I am that I’m not chained to my addiction anymore.

    2. I want to teach too! But can’t imagine leaving a fun GIS/tech field to slog through the world of education right now : /

      1. Teaching is incredibly rewarding, but it’s IMPOSSIBLE to get into the field of education in this crap economy. (For me, 100+ applications, 15 interviews, 3,000 miles traveled to said interviews, and STILL no teaching job for this year.) With schools balancing budgets and making cuts left and right, teachers who say they’ll retire don’t. It’s an endless cycle…

      2. Painted_lady says:

        lk – If you’ve got tech experience, there are a LOT of public schools that are really starting to pursue curriculum in the tech field.

        Anyone else, if you can afford the time and erratic schedule, if you’re looking to teach, sign up as a sub in as many districts as you can. It’s how I got a job – you basically get paid (a small amount, but still) to network. If you’re good and flexible, they will hire you the moment they can. I have my MFA, and still no one would hire me sight-unseen. So I got a gig as a long-term sub, got to know the teachers, got a reputation for being dependable and well-liked by the kids, and the next year they hired me full-time.

      3. Skyblossom says:

        That’s how everyone gets teaching jobs here. Many sub for as long as four years before they’re hired. Sub in the districts you’re interested in and get to know the teachers and especially, the principal. If you can get hired as a long term sub and do a great job you’re almost there. Also, some of our teachers have worked as aids in crowded classrooms and then were hired when a space became available.

      4. That’s what I’m doing! Subbing is awesome because…

        1.) Work stays at work.
        2.) No lesson plans!
        3.) If a student is misbehaving, I either write their name down or send them straight to the office and I always have that teacher’s/principal’s support. They get to do the dirty work. 😉
        4.) It’s AWESOME networking. Seriously. I started in a couple new districts this year, and word spread like wildfire from my friends in the field to teachers in those districts to give me a shot! As a result I’ve been able to set up a bunch of days in advance, which I love because I don’t have to get up at an ungodly hour just to check if there is a job for me that day…

      5. Calliopedork says:

        I feel even more discouraged about teaching now.

      6. It’s a job where you need to absolutely LOVE it. You need to take the good days with the bad–and I guarantee there will be both. You need to be dedicated to the students and absolutely believe in them. You need to understand that there will be times where administration drives you up the wall, but sometimes your hands are tied and you just have to play nice.

        It can be a thankless job, and it can be the most rewarding job in the entire world. If it’s your passion GO FOR IT. Everyone has doubts about it–I go back and forth wondering if I’m crazy to want to put that much pressure on myself (will hopefully be full time teaching next year). There are too many teachers in the world who aren’t passionate about it and just don’t care. They drive me crazy. Students see right through that. If teaching is something that you genuinely want to pursue, I’d suggest spending time with kids through either volunteer work in a classroom or two or working at a summer camp. If that work makes you happy and you find yourself relating to them, you’re in the right place.

      7. Painted_lady says:

        Don’t be – if you think you don’t want to do it, you obviously don’t have to, but if you love it, even with all the frustrations it is SO worth it. I had three moments just since Thursday morning that were enough to keep me going for a month. Thursday morning one of my high school girls gave me a note from her little sister, whom I had last year. It was the sweetest, cutest, silliest thing just telling me hi and that she missed having me. Then after school that day, one of my theatre girls sat up while they were working on writing and goes, “I didn’t think I was going to like writing our own show very much, but I am SO excited about it!” And then Friday I ran into one of my 8th graders from last year at the high school who then freaked out when she realized she could come see me down the hall from her everyday. It made me really happy – I love these kids.

  13. I’m 31 and live in Chicago. I’m a proposal specialist, so I edit a lot of technical writing and I have a knack for page layout.

    I grew up in sourthern Illinois on the Mississippi River, went to school in Missouri, spent a summer in Yellowstone, a summer in Knoxville, TN and lived in Florida for 6 years. I never really feel settled, but I’m loving Chicago right now. I like to walk everywhere or take public transportation and I’m a fan of trying new restaurants.

    I’m single by choice.

    I couldn’t live without gold hoop earrings, a quality chef’s knife, my hair stylist and a postive outlook.

    1. Oh, and I’ve decided my mental age will stick at 30.

  14. I’m 33, but I actually had to calculate my age to find out that information. Although I only have my sister and my parents in my nuclear family, I have a LOT of cousins and we’re all very close – my extended family is solely responsible for the Filipino population on a street in Brooklyn (718!). I was born in Manhattan, raised on Long Island, went to college in Upstate NY (where I had a college radio DJ slot and an internship with the NY Assembly) and consider myself a bit of a true-NYer.

    My husband is probably the most enthusiastic Godzilla fan on the internet. He has a webcomic in which he photoshops his Godzilla collection to say funny stuff like in Twisted Toyfare Theatre and a forum full of dedicated fans with ecclectic tastes, yet respect for Godzilla. I met him at a sci-fi convention in NY, we fell in love, I moved to live with him in the state lampooned constantly by Jon Stewart. He made me a Forum Administrator on his website to counter the daily sausage-fest that his fanbase entails. We got married and had a Hello Kitty Angel loves Godzilla themed wedding. Four years of marriage later, we still do sci-fi conventions together.

    When I’m not being the Ultimate Fan to the Creator of the Most Enthusiastic Godzilla Fanpage ever (not only am I a Forum Admin, but I also give him plot ideas and sew his costumes), I paralegal for lawyers, I sing with my church choir, I act as a Fil-AM cultural representative in my city, and do geeky crafts. I like Sanrio (Chococat is my favorite, but Hello Kitty Angel is a close second), BritComs, traveling, trying ethnic/cultural foods, music (although lean toward Classical, I listen to anything once), movies, sci-fi, comic, J-horror/anime, Star Wars/Star Trek, cupcakes(!), children’s books (Roald Dahl is my fav), cheesy romances (Nora Roberts)….and basically anything else that an atypical geek girl would love.

    Oh…and I LOVE the IT Crowd – Chris O’Dowd is FINE. 😀

    1. Calliopedork says:

      I was once hopelessly obsessed with chococat but then the only sanrio store in denver closed. That was a sad day. I also loved batzmaru

      1. Batzmaru is a VERY close third. I call his character the bad-ass penguin. He’s awesome. 🙂

  15. Chilosa161 says:

    I’m about to turn 24 and in the last year I felt like my age in years finally caught up with my age in my head. I am one of the many thousands of graduates from the recession years who are currently unemployed, and I live in Colorado. My degree is in Biological Anthropology, but more recently I found myself teaching English to Chilean teenagers in Patagonia.

    I’m into slow food and drawn-out cooking, reading, writing (my blog is to be found at http://www.reverseretrograde.wordpress.com just in case you’re interested–there’s an awesome picture of my face after 36 (37? I lost track) hours of travel this year up currently).

    I am concurrently applying for graduate programs and teaching English again at the moment. Imagine a bathtub full of random, and all incredibly important (occasionally diplomatic) papers. That’s my life at the moment.

    1. crazyayeaye says:

      Hey Chilosa,

      I got my undergraduate degree in Biological Anthropology and am currently in my fourth year in a doctorate program in Evolutionary Anthropology. If you ever need any advice about applying to grad school in the field, hit me up! 🙂

      1. Chilosa161 says:

        Thanks! I’m actually looking at International Affairs and Sustainable Development at this point, but I will probably be looking into a PhD in the future. Advice about applying in general? I’m also applying to international universities…that complicates things slightly.

    2. Hi! I’m sure you’re very busy but Escuela de Guadalupe is an amazing CO school & if you have even a few hours/week to volunteer/work with them, it’s a great resume-builder & they are a fantastic organization : )

    3. Thanks for the blog link, very entertaining! And the picture of you at the summit of Mt. Bierstadt…..nothing short of incredible!

  16. I’m (also) Emma, I turn 20 on the 24th (tomorrow/today depending on when you’re reading this). I live in a small village outside Groningen, which is way in the north of The Netherlands.

    I am currently a medical student, and writing my bachelor thesis about food allergies in children. In my spare time I am a member of a rowing club, and love to read and watch all kinds of TV series. I’m also a bit of a sci-fi fan, and love music with witty lyrics. I also babysit two of the cutest kids on the planet, and have done so since the oldest was seven months. I love being around kids, especially younger ones.

    I don’t have a boyfriend, but I do have a cat :D. Unfortunately she’s been fighting lately, and this summer we had to take her to the vet three times. Normally, we don’t even take her once a year (very, very healthy cat). I hate taking her, because she so obviously hates it.

    And I bought three new dresses today. Which is weird, because I never wear dresses.

    1. lets_be_honest says:

      Enjoy your new dresses on your birthday! Loving this thread. Promise I’ll add mine later.

      1. Christina says:

        Happy Birthday!

  17. Landygirl says:

    I live in SF, I just turned 47 last week, I’m getting married next month and I have the best dog in the whole world. See my profile photo.

    1. SpaceySteph says:

      I love your profile pic. It gives me dog envy every time I see it. My current lifestyle is not conducive to dog owning. One day…

    2. Yay 40somethings! I was starting to feel quite old here with all the 20somethings!

  18. I am back in Colorado after graduating from college in New Hampshire. I work for a tech company, doing technical proposal writing & designing fun marketing materials.

    I love old time radio, NPR, poetry, painting/drawing, yoga, dancing, coffee, spiced rum, yogurt………

    1. Calliopedork says:

      I was wondering if you lived in CO I remember you mentioning your love of herbs, and lately I feel like every 420 person lives here.

      1. Heheheeeee — I am so excited to spend my evening *indulging* a little & working on a painting (an oil nude in fuschia! fun). It’s so normal in CO, I forget it seems edgy or something to other people : )

  19. Addie Pray says:

    Fun! Here I go, though I am probably outing myself to my friends and coworkers who also read Dear Wendy and who know that I read it obsessively: I am 32, an attorney, live in Chicago, from Missouri originally, … and I enjoy, in no particular order: red wine, biking, hiking, road trips, movies, the Missouri Tigers, and babies!

    1. silver_dragon_girl says:

      Muck Fizzou 😉

      1. Addie Pray says:

        i smell a jaybirdie.

      2. silver_dragon_girl says:

        Hehehe, yep, couldn’t let the opportunity pass.

      3. Addie Pray says:

        i always pass by this KU bar in Chicago on my way to my friends and I think to myself: god, I can’t escape them. 😉

      4. silver_dragon_girl says:

        Lol! I know, we’re like cockroaches…:D

  20. My name is Dre and I’m 25. I’m from Ottawa, Canada and I have a degree in Business Marketing and Advertising Media Management. I work for a software company by day, which can be kind of boring, but the job I am most passionate about is my work as the marketing and media coordinator of a dance company. I absolutely LOVE being a media planner. The studio specializes in Acrobatic dance and you can check them out at

    I have two cats that are my whole world 🙂 A little Siamese named Nhuri and a brown tabby named Na’ima. I love them to pieces!! I also have a wonderful boyfriend whom I hope to marry someday.

    I love Indian, African and Caribbean food (Vindaloo, Jollof, Roti, Fried Plantains, Chapatis… mmmmmm!) and I really want to travel the world someday!

    That’s about it! Can’t wait to meet everyone else.

    1. MissDre, I love your comments. And marketing also rocks my world.

    2. lets_be_honest says:

      Love chicken saagwala. It’s the only non kid food meal I eat! Everything else I like is burgers fries potatoes and chicken fingers. Oh and penne ala vodka. Now I’m hungry.

  21. I’m Christy, I’m 22. I generally feel right about 24 or so. More grownup than immediate college graduates, but not really an adult yet. I work for the government and intern at a college library. I’m in grad school to become an academic librarian, but I’m mainly looking at it as a first career. I live in a Baltimore suburb and went to college in Williamsburg VA. I did a lot of theatre in college and it’s still my passion. I’m single.

    1. i believe i worked at the marine science grad school that was part of your college 🙂 did you go to the cheese shop much? i miss their special sauce.

      1. OHMAHGOD THE CHEESE SHOP. Of course I went there a lot! House Dressing is the bomb-freaking-diggity.

      2. now i have a craving for a bag of bread ends and a container of house dressing. too bad it’s seven hours away!

  22. brendapie says:

    I’m 29 but I feel like I never grew out of my teens. While I appreciate my youthful spirit, the lack of direction I had in my teens has remained. It’s been three years since I was last employed and while I am back in school (after obtaining a BA in Literature… yeah, I know) I find it so hard to stay upbeat. I have to admit I get jealous seeing the amazing careers many Dear Wendy readers have but it has also been a source of inspiration.

    I think what draws me to this website more than anything are the comments. I’ve ‘found myself’ in so many of the LW questions and reading the different perspectives everyone has on the same question has been enlightening.

    I feel like I’ve put my life on hold since I’ve been unemployed. My biggest regret is that after college I had no friends and didn’t experience my 20s. I’ve never even been to a club although they seem a bit overrated. Not working has also meant cutting out or cutting down most if not all my hobbies. But I do find joy in cooking, playing with my dogs, watching British comedies, and star gazing. Just finished reading The Sorrows of Young Werther and I’m wondering what to start reading next.

    As for romance, I don’t feel like I’m in the right place for that but I find my conservative stance on saving sex for marriage makes dating a bit more challenging. I hope I can find someone compatible in the coming years.

    1. lets_be_honest says:

      I really enjoyed yours. Best wishes! And agree big time with the benefits of this site b

    2. lets_be_honest says:

      I really enjoyed yours. Best wishes! And agree big time with the benefits of this site.

      1. brendapie says:

        Thanks! I find myself enjoying your comments so I’m tickled pink that you liked my little bio. I totally forgot to mention I live right next to San Francisco and the beautiful weather lifts my spirits just about everyday. I know things will get better. I wish you the best as well!

      2. lets_be_honest says:

        Thanks! My bro just move to SF and he LOVES it, which sucks because I miss him a lot.

    3. Believe it or not there ARE still guys out there still saving themselves for marriage. Mine is one of them! 🙂

      1. brendapie says:

        That’s encouraging to hear. =). I know there are guys that share my values so I hope to run into some in the near future.

      2. You just have to look in the right place. 🙂 They may be few and far between…but they do exist.

  23. I’m Carolyn, a 24 year old female mechanical engineer by day and pop culture junkie by night. I’m a born and bred Tucsonan (we are a very rare breed), a newlywed, and a recent first-time homeowner.

    More importantly, gingers represent! *flashes hand-signs that in no way look dorky…*

    1. Britannia says:

      Woohoo born and bred Tucsonans! They really ARE a rare breed… a relaxed, polite breed with extremely high temperature tolerance 😉

  24. I’m Amy. 23 years old, 24 in December. I feel simultaneously 18 and 25. Like, I know I am growing up, and I notice little things about myself that are different (more mature)than 2 years ago, but I also know that I am nowhere near “grown up.”

    I live in East Dallas, Texas with two female roommates in a very old duplex. It’s kind of shitty, but it’s super cheap and has hardwood floors so you won’t hear me complaining. I work at a law firm and that takes up 9 hours a day, 5 days a week. This isn’t the career path that I want to be in forever, but I have great health insurance and good benefits and I haven’t decided what I’d actually like to do yet.

    I like to sew, go thrifting, go dancing with my friends, dress up in cute clothes, do yoga and other forms of exercise, and I like to go hang out in the music “scene” around town at night, listening to DJs and local bands. We have some really fun weeknight and weekend-night parties here. I also give a big thumbs up to “funny cigarettes” and I partake often. I have two sisters and they are a big part of my life.

    I’ve spent the last year and a half learning how to cook and I’m super proud of my ability to feed myself healthy foods on a budget. I used to only be able to feed myself ramen and cereal, and now I can throw together something yummy from my pantry/fridge without even having to leave the house (if I grocery shop right, that is).

    I don’t have a boyfriend or any pets. I had a cat, but he passed away about 2 years ago. I miss him dearly, but I really want a dog. I don’t think I am ready for that responsibility yet, so I am waiting.

    I’m the commenter who usually has the grover icon… I’m not sure if it’ll work because I have to use god-awful Internet Explorer today. My Google Chrome broke.

    PS: My most important piece of makeup is mascara.

    1. “I don’t have a boyfriend or any pets.”

      AWESOME haha : )

    2. lets_be_honest says:

      Funny cigarettes 😉

  25. Also… I have sold weed to my mom. Twice.

    Texas, y’all.

    1. I’ve gotten my dad weed a couple times. He’s the only person I like to smoke with, anymore, ha.

      1. Haha…I got so much sass once here for saying I like to smoke around my dad (he doesn’t smoke, but he’s chill with it now). My mom also loves to engage me in funny things (watching plants grow? making our shadows do funny things?) when she knows I’ve smoked : )

      2. My whole family is cool with it. My uncle used to grow, and has a huge mason jar in his freezer, so whenever I visit him, he always smokes me up and makes me delicious food, and we tramp around in the Washington woods for awhile. I love being his favorite.

    2. GingerLaine says:

      Texas, holla back. 😉

      True story. My sister lives in Brooklyn although we were born & raised in Texas. She was chatting with a boyfriend one day, when she wondered aloud how people in other states (such as NY) feel about Texas since the culture and the people are so much different than in other states. He replied, “I don’t know, I think most people are pretty cool about Texas, but y’all do kinda rep your state a little too hard.”

      She made a quick move to tuck the Texas shaped pendant she was wearing down into her shirt. 😉

      1. Christina says:

        That’s funny to hear. I moved to Oklahoma from California a few years ago and couldn’t believe the cultural differences. It was fun to have my new friends tell me how things worked here and what different sayings meant etc. They did tell me, and now I tell other new Okies, “If you’ve ever met a Texan, you know it.” They tell you within the first 2 minutes of talkin’.

      2. Haha! It’s so true. I love Texas and I’m not even slightly ashamed. 🙂

    3. Britannia says:

      It’s not just a Texas thing! Back when my Mom lived in Atlanta and I had a great connection who regularly shipped a really dank medical-grade strain from Northern California, she would come out to visit me and bring several ounces, sometimes more than a pound, back with her, or would have “SWIM” ship it to her and then would pay me through Paypal for it. I guess Atlanta didn’t have good enough weed, in her opinion.

  26. *laugh* I think I’ve admitted so much about myself over all these posts, that this one is almost redundant!
    I’m AKchic (as in Carharts/jeans and a flannel) and I just turned 28 last month. Mentally, I am probably middle aged, and have been there for as long as I can remember. I am (married and) divorced twice and have four boys (ages 11, 9, 7, and 2). My first marriage sucked, and the divorce was even worse. The second marriage wasn’t bad, the divorce was amicable. We’re friends. Seriously. We have one of the weirdest divorces ever (or so people tell us) because we get along perfectly.
    I currently live with my SO and my four boys in Anchorage, AK, which is where I was born and raised.
    I admit that I am a high school drop-out (freshman year) who got her GED. I am self-taught and self-made. I have worked a variety of jobs over the years. Federal gov’t, state gov’t, my own business, slope work, hospital work, etc. I currently work in the substance abuse rehab field, where I have been the last 3 years. I also volunteer as a part of the Alaska Safe Medicine Alliance and am trying to get on our city’s Boards and Commissions programs so I can garner more name recognition before I run for city assembly in a few years when my district’s seat comes available. I’m also a Zurvivalist and Zurvival Consultant. My motto is “have a plan or plan to be eaten”. I should have a website up by spring for that particular endeavor.
    On top of all of that – I’m a bi-sexual gun nut who works on her own vehicles, brews her own alcohol, hunts, fishes, cooks, cleans (when I have to), does laundry (because I’d rather not go naked), reads voraciously (I’m a self-admitted bibliophile), and babble a lot. My degenerative disc disease, nerve damage and scoliosis doesn’t slow me down (much).

    1. lets_be_honest says:

      I have to admit when I was a mere reader and not contributer to this site, your tone irked me and funnily enough, what irked me about it is now my favorite part about your posts-they always start with “hunny” or “sweetie”. I admire your attitude about making the best with what you’ve got (found on a post about children coming first). Also, beyond jealous of you knowing how to pkay the violin. Someday before I die I’ll learn! Best wishes.

      1. It’s actually how I talk to people in person too! Being partially raised by my grandparents (who were both farm-raised), it is just something that comes naturally to me. That sympathetic bent that I just can’t get rid of. Even when I want to be as sarcastic as hell, I can’t help but be sympathetic, even if it’s to their stupidity.
        As for the violin – I started in the 6th grade as a part of our school district’s musical education program and never stopped. Played in the jr. high orchestra and the high school concert orchestra until I dropped out of school. Still have my original violin and have added a purple violin to the collection and a smaller one in my oldest boy’s size so he can play (and pass on to the younger ones, should they choose to play). Also play the drums, other percussion instruments, a little piano, sing (was in the state choir as a kid), and lemme tell you – I play a mean kazoo.

      2. A PURPLE violin?? I might just die of envy, that sounds so awesome 🙂

  27. Here’s me in a nutshell:

    I’m 25 and have lived in Rochester, NY my whole life. I live with my mom and younger sister half the time, and spend Friday-Tuesday over at my boyfriend’s place. It works for me as far as I’m concerned, although my mom makes me pay rent.

    I was in a horrible car accident when I was 18 and had a Traumatic Brain Injury because of it. I am followed by a great neurologist and team of social workers to make my recovery as smooth as possible. I overcame paralysis and learned to walk again, breathe properly, swallow, speak, hand-eye coordination, and a slew of other things most people take for granted. I have made a great recovery, but still have some residual minor cognitive problems such as short-term memory loss, organization and time management.

    I went through many hardships as a 19-20-21 year old. I was in denial of an addiction (sex) that ravaged my self esteem. I felt like I had no true friends to turn to and just acquaintances. Had DW existed back then (I discovered the site when she first made her jump from The Frisky to here) I probably would have written to her every week with a tale of a guy treating me like trash. As I wised up, I realized this was because all I that I thought about myself were bad things.

    I met (well I should say I RE-met) a guy I had worked with a few years ago when I was out enjoying myself at a club, when I had learned to love myself. Things fell into place for us and he asked me to be his girlfriend and treated me like the gentleman I deserved.

    We’re a good match because neither one of us wants marriage nor kids in our future. We feel similar on most things, and have some of the same interests and activities. We come from similar yet different backgrounds. Both our respective sets of parents are divorced. His father remained involved in his life and he has a step-mother and half-siblings while mine shirred away from responsibility and was never heard from till many years later, but that’s another story.

    We’re almost up to our one-year anniversary and it has been smooth sailing pretty much as far as the eye can see. We had one argument around the 3 month point but we ended up talking through it and working it out.

    My life so far has been blessed and I don’t regret anything because it has made me the person I am today.

    1. inspiring! Thanks for sharing.

  28. lets_be_honest says:

    This is fun! I’m a New Yorker, born and bred. I love where I live and the furthest I’ve moved is a mile from my mom’s house! I’m 29, depressed about turning 30, and a single mom to the greatest kid ever who happens to also be my best friend, and I’m not biased either (Here’s looking at you Eljay!). She’s my whole life and the reason I smile and the person who’s taught me love and positivity. Truly blessed to have her in my life. I have a career in law, but started college years ago as an art history major. My dream is to travel the world with my lil buddy. I’m already secretly hoping she never leaves the home for college or a husband 😉 I’ve got a huge family-5 siblings, one smarter and sweeter than the next. We’re all extremely close. I say I’ve got 4 parents (mom and dad both remarried) and my relationship with my stepparents is up and down. I can’t cook and don’t want to learn, but hope to learn how to sew soon thanks to some blogs that have inspired me. I am obsessed with neatness and make lists constantly to stay organized. If you asked me where my notebook from 1989 is, I could tell you, it’s that bad. We have 2 cats, but they don’t seem to like me much, only my daughter. In my free time (ha), I like scrapbooking, tv, naps and arts and crafts with the kiddo. I’m very proud of who I have turned into because I was honestly a mess before I had my daughter at 21. I’d love to adopt one day but love our 2 family dynamic now. We live in a 2 bedroom condo that was a DUMP before I got it and fixed it up. I get addicted to everything I like-songs on repeat til I hate them for instance (and Dear Wendy obviously).  I’m blessed with a couple truly incredible friends and consider myself a very grateful person. For now, my favorite spot is my porch at about 9 or 10 pm after all my work is done, sometimes with a nice glass of Cakebread wine (or a funny cigarette, please don’t judge me for that). Since I’ve rambled long enough, my favorite stores are Gap and Anthropologie. The end 🙂  

    1. lets_be_honest says:

      Omg I realize how long that was now. Yikes.

    2. Lists and organization… are you a fellow Virgo?

      1. lets_be_honest says:

        Aries actually. Is that a Virgo thing? I dont know much about that stuff.

      2. TheOtherMe says:

        Aries !! I knew I liked you… i get along with all Aries 🙂

        ps Kudos on being such a good single mom xx

      3. lets_be_honest says:

        I’ve gotten dumped on on her about trying to be a good mom-I’m sure some of you will remember the pb&j sandwich issue. I gotta say it upset me. I try to do a good job, I’m sure like any parent. I’ve got the mommy guilt though too, all too frequently. There’s nothing worse than that. Wendy, I hope you don’t experience it. I try to tell myself I’m doing my best and that’s all you can do. So thanks!

    3. I am super, super jealous of your organizational skills!

    4. “She’s my whole life and the reason I smile and the person who’s taught me love and positivity. Truly blessed to have her in my life.”

      Beautiful.

      1. lets_be_honest says:

        Thank you Eljay. I was hoping you would see my post and pipe in after I read yours.

      2. Are you kidding? I’m addicted to DW! I got nothing done at work on Friday – best weekend thread ever.

  29. Longtime lurker (found DW via Instapundit), first-time poster. I’m Joe. I’m 47 and live in the Cincinnati area. I’m going through a divorce and have two boys: an 11-year-old with autism and a 7-year-old sports nut. I am an attorney who who has never practiced law. I work at a life insurance company after 12 years as a tax editor.

  30. Hi I’m EB, which is a childhood nickname that was born out of necessity when my fellow pre-schoolers lack of diction rendered them unable to master all 4 syllables of Elizabeth.

    My academic background is in economics, sociology, and math but the world of fashion has proved to be far more lucrative. I am entering the twilight of my career as a fit model and am now attempting to transition into the realm of styling.

    I am 26 and still get restless staying in the same place for longer than 6 months as a result I’m constantly looking for any excuse to travel/run away from my problems.

    I have a boyfriend of 3+ years who is pretty much my polar opposite (which was confirmed by the Meyer-Briggs test I forced him to take. fyi I’m ENFP, he’s ISTJ). He’s a fiscally conservative, recovering republican who will he disowned if is father ever finds out he voted for Obama whereas I lean so far left I’m practically a communist.

    I enjoy really depressing music (Jeff Buckley, Elliott Smith, Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, Bright Eyes, etc. Arcade Fire or Mumford & Sons are my idea of “upbeat”) but favor hip hop when it come to dancing, which I love.

    I love sports (especially MLB and college basketball); most guys find this cute until they realize I know wayyyyy more than they do and that March and October are completely off limits when it comes to planning vacations.

    The appeal of diamonds is totally lost on me and I can’t wrap my head around what people are willing to spend on jewelry yet I won’t hesitate to plunk down my credit card for a three digit meal at the mere mention of a James Beard award or Michelin Star.

    Sarcasm makes my heart flutter and I have a decidedly dark sense of humor. “The Royal Tenenbaums” + “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius”+ Ricky Gervais talking about gay dolphins = my idea of hilarity

    I love reading but hate writing; I would probably never comment if I possessed the willpower to walk away from an interesting debate without voicing my opinion.

    1. lets_be_honest says:

      Loved this! Can I ask what a “fit” model is?

      1. fitness model? maybe?? @any rate, “fit model” is something to aspire to : )

      2. Sure! My measurements (bust, waist, hips,etc.) are almost identical to those of a sample size and more importantly my measurements are proportional to each other in regard to today’s sizing standards. So basically, my entire body represents the same size and I’m a size 0 or 2(depends on the designer) in everything (tops, dresses, pants, etc.). Obviously this is not the norm and largely why they started sell bikini tops and bottoms separately since often time the size of a woman’s bra size doesn’t exactly correspond to the size of her waist or hips.

        So, designers and buyers basically use me as a human mannequin first, to see how new pieces look on an actual person, how the piece moves when walking (i.e. making sure a skirt doesn’t ride up and that a dress is not so fitted through the hips that it impairs walking) , and to make sure it is clinging in the right places and seams are hitting where they should. Often designers will make a sample in just one size, especially in the early design stages, so it is time and cost effective to hire a model who can try on the entire collection and have 95% fit without alterations.

        Secondly, I’m used to make sure fit is consistent with their sizing guidelines and other items in their line ( especially with the explosive growth of online shopping, consistent sizing is important to help remove some of the uncertainty of buying clothing without being able to try it on. So that hopefully once a person has bought an item in a certain size, they can buy similar type items (i.e. other tops) in that size and be confident that the fit will be comparable.).

        For me, this sector of modeling has yielded the most success since i’m not nearly photogenic enough for consistent print work and my height (a little under 5’9) leaves me an inch or two short of what high fashion generally desires for runway. Having my measurements line up the way the did was just a happy accident that I was totally unaware of until I joined the business in my late teens!

      3. I really hope you get some free cute clothes out of the deal…

      4. SpaceySteph says:

        This is so fascinating and something I never heard of. I guess everyone can’t be lopsided like me.

  31. Hey, y’all! (I typically only say “y’all” in jest).

    I only have a couple more months left as a 20something – that’s right, the BIG 3 – 0 is looming in the near distance. I started compiling a list of “30 Things to Do Before I’m 30” – but the first thing on the list is “Finish the list!!” as I only have about 15 or 16 things on it (I haven’t checked lately). I’m open to suggestions, but don’t suggest that I travel to a certain place as a list item. My travel list is separate. 🙂

    As a hobby, I just took up bellydancing. I’m hoping to someday (and it will take a long while) be really good at it so I can perform! I don’t have many other hobbies… just reading and watching TV and going out with friends and such. I am definitely NOT “domestic” – I despise cooking and cleaning.

    I was born and raised in central Illinois, lived in Las Vegas for a stretch, and I’m currently in St. Louis. I worked in mental health for a while and I’ve been in public health – STD and HIV to be exact – for the past 4 years or so. I’m a Disease Intervention Specialist. It’s a never-boring job and I deal with lots of interesting folks on a daily basis. It forces me to be really empathetic and to keep an open mind about everything.

    I have 3 cats, and they all have MANY names. I don’t just mean nicknames, but OK – Zeke’s “full name” is Mr. Ezekiel Lucifer Damien Belthazor Douchey McDoucherton Brightside. I’m already the “crazy cat lady”. Oh, also I refer to all cats as either titties or boobies (titty tats and booby babies)!

    I’m currently living alone, no children (just the cats) and I’m in a newish (~6 months) relationship. We are, like, totally the awesomest couple everrrrr, like for realzzzzz. Haha. OK not really, but we ARE a really good match and I’ve never been happier in a relationship (although we established in a previous thread that we’re still “honeymooning” haha). He’s slightly younger than I am, so I guess I’m a cougar in training. 😉

    1. lets_be_honest says:

      I crossed something off my Bucket list recently too. Went to a concert alone. Good luck fellow 29er. Ugh.

      1. Heyyy, I did that last year! “Travel alone” was on the list – so I drove there, went to the concert by myself, and stayed in a hotel by myself. Actually had a LOT of fun. It was a mini-roadtrip for one.

      2. lets_be_honest says:

        Awesome!! Who’d you see? I saw dave matthews band. It was a caravan though so lots of other bands.

      3. I saw Brandon Flowers at a small venue. I have a huuuuuge crush on him and saw The Killers every chance I got when I was in Vegas.

      4. Elizabeth says:

        i love brandon flowers. my boyfriend loves him more though

    2. I was a bellydancer until my lower back got too bad in the last 18 months for me to do it anymore. Find a “troupe” who is willing to take on beginners. Or, find a local Ren Fair group that has a bellydancing troupe affiliated with it. The Society for Creative Anachronisms in your area might be able to help (I’m a member in Anchorage).

      1. Also, open mic nights @ poetry/theatre groups <3 a belly-dancer cameo : )

    3. 6napkinburger says:

      I lived St Louis for a stretch.

    4. Hi, Cat’s Meow. I’m Wendy’s sister Allison, and we have a lot in common! I’m 28, and I consider St. Louis to be home. I’m a nurse and I also work in the STD/HIV field. Are you familiar with the Infertility Prevention Project (IPP)? It’s a national Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening project, and I’m the coordinator for the Region VI states of AR, LA, OK, NM and TX. I live in Austin right now, but I’m thinking of moving to St. Louis soon. I’ve thought about being a DIS, but I don’t think it’d be a great match for me. I would like to do direct client care, however, which I haven’t done in a while.

      I don’t have a 30 things list yet, though, as I’m actually looking forward to my 30s. (Am I crazy?)

  32. Hi everyone! I just turned 31 last week (I had to psyche myself up to write the correct age, ha). But I honestly feel a few years younger than that, mostly because I am still in school. I’m in law school, and I am very excited to be graduating in December! I don’t know what terrifies me more though, the Bar exam or the job market. :/

    I discovered Wendy less than a year ago on The Frisky (these advice columns are so compelling, you just want to get in there and share your opinion!), and I first started posting comments on this site in the beginning of this year.

    I think what has kept me around is finding so many commonalities with you guys- with Wendy herself but also with the commenters and, occasionally, the letter writers. If not in full, at least in part. I had one very long relationship that ended a few years ago, that I feel changed me a lot into the person I am now. That relationship, followed by years of singledom, give me insight into many of the problems I read on here. I enjoy the positivity of the site and the idea that I could possibly use my past experiences to help someone else, even a little. I’ve been with my current boyfriend for a little over a year and I’m probably the happiest I’ve ever been- not all because of him though, not at all.

    I’ve recently adopted a two month old kitten named Chaka. I’ve only had him a week, but it’s been quite a roller coaster ride between becoming enraged at constantly having my feet hunted and my arms scratched to holy hell, and my heart melting as I snuggle up next to the cutest little purring neck warmer in the world.

  33. I don’t comment often, but thought I would this time.
    I just turned 26 in August, and I will be married seven years later this year. I live with my husband and 2 crazy cats. We live in Ohio, and it seems I’m the only one representing Ohio so far!
    I’m a chemical engineer, and work for a big tire company in the environmental field.
    Fun facts about me: I’ve written to Wendy for advice, I have never broken a bone or had stitches, I love camping and hiking, I ride a motorcycle and I’m a big Trekkie.
    I’ve enjoyed reading about everyone, great idea Wendy!

    1. I thought I’d write in to add some love for Ohio, haha. I live near Akron. My name is (obviously) Kristen, and I’m 24. I’ve been with my amazing boyfriend for 8 years, and we’ve been talking a lot about marriage and kids recently. I have two dogs (large munsterlanders) and two adorable kitties, one of which only has one eye and is the best kitty in the whole world.

      I’m a writer and editor for a nonprofit. My passion is in copy editing, and if I were brave enough, I’d move to NY and get a job as a copy editor for a magazine or YA books. I’m obsessed with reading young adult contemporary fiction. My favorite authors are Sarah Dessen and Sarah Ockler. I think they’re geniuses.

      I’m super sad summer is over, although I do love cozy nights at home when I’m cooking for everyone. I’m about to try making homemade sushi in a minute!

      So nice to meet everyone!

    2. Repping Ohio here as well! I live in Ravenna near Kent! It’s badass that you ride a motorcycle…my bf has one and I have ridden before but don’t currently own one because they are expensive. We do ride ATV’s though, because my boyfriend is nice enough to fund that expensive activity 🙂

  34. NicoleMarie says:

    Hello everyone! I’m 24, currently living in San Diego, CA, but was raised in Columbia, MO for most of my life. I work at a marketing company doing graphic design, video editing, some copy writing, and numerous administrative tasks.

    My personality can vary between the tendencies of a young or old soul. The child in me loves playing video games, (the Sims, Age of Empires, Spyro, & Sonic), watching cartoons, & making up silly nonsensical parodies of popular songs. The Spinster in me makes her own broth in large quantities, dividing it up & tupperware & freezing it for later, reading historical fiction, & feeding the ducks that live at the local lake.

    I live with my 2 roommates (a couple), and their 2 dogs, who I love like my own 🙂 I have a boyfriend, and he is, admittedly, way more interesting than I am! He is handsome, half Greek, and not that tall (but I don’t care!) He works at a company that turns movies into 3D, and a few months back, his name was in the credits for the first time ever, under the special effects category! I am very proud, and to make up for his modesty am telling everyone!

  35. bittergaymark says:

    I’m the 4-0. Woo hoo! Actually, I gotta confess… THAT was a really tough birthday. Margo Channing’s big “All About Eve” speech sure didn’t help matters either.

    “Lloyd, I’m not twenty-ish, I’m not thirty-ish. Three months ago I was forty years old. Forty. Four O… That slipped out. I hadn’t quite made up my mind to admit it. Now I suddenly feel as if I’ve taken all my clothes off.”

    See, I recall seeing this scene as a teenager and thinking — DAMN! She sure has a point! That. Is. OLD! No wonder she is so upset… 😉

    So, yeah. It was NOT a fun birthday. Instead of a party I fled LA and blew it off completely. Instead I flew to Dallas, Texas to meet my one and only nephew for the very first time… It did really bum me out in a big, big way…

    But actually BEING 40 is not so bad… 🙂

    1. I remember reading a post by you a while ago that moved me to tears about a past love relationship that never quite found its feet before it was too late.

      I love your comments & I love this post too : ) FYI, I find 40-year old men to be righhht about the perfect age : ) (I’m 24) so don’t think you’re old just yet.

    2. TheOtherMe says:

      Well I also had the 40th BDay in June and It was really a tough one.. until I showed up at my surprise party! I had never had one & never expected it and it was so well organized with speeches and photo layouts from long time best friends. I was so touched that I cried for 3 days. It was like a roast without the nasty comments !

      1. lets_be_honest says:

        That is so cool. I’ve always wanted one-maybe I’ll get it for my 30th. My brother recently graduated from medical school and my moms friends from high school (she was only 19 when she has him and remained close with those friends all these years) surprised her with a party to celebrate her son being a doctor. My mom is the most humble, giving person ever and no one has ever done anything so great to show her how she’s the reason we all turned out good so she really deserved it. They did a top ten of her moments at it. She wouldn’t tell me what they were haha but she was so touched by it.

    3. Being in your 40’s is like the way Roger Rabbit waxed philosophical about walking with one’s tail between one’s legs: It’s not so bad, once you get used to it.

      Matter of fact, once you embrace it, it’s a damn lot of fun. Happy birthday, welcome to the club and enjoy!

    4. TheGirlinME says:

      Hi Mark. I turned 41 in March & really, after the initial “huh? how did THAT happen?!!?” the 40 thing is okay. I’m Tricia and I live in Maine. Really not looking forward to winter. I work for a Government Contractor. I am madly in love with my two “fursons”. A gorgeous German Shepherd and a Peke-ShihTzu mix. Sports, music and books dominate my free time. I am currently bummed about the Red Sox free-fall.

  36. Hello everyone! I’m Kate, 31 going on 27 with no problem acting like I’m about 8–especially on special occasions like Halloween parties, Christmas morning, and trips to Disneyworld. I’m a major history geek, a bookworm, and a sci-fi/fantasy fan. I love to write, and I keep telling myself I’ll start blogging just for the hell of it. I’ve really started to enjoy cooking and baking in the past few years, so I spend a lot of time experimenting with my tastebuds and those of any friends brave enough (or hungry enough) to join me. I love sampling new ethnic foods too!

    I grew up in central Kentucky–bourbon, horses, and basketball, gotta love it–and I’ve lived in DC for that past 5 years. I got out of law school with a degree and absolutely no desire to practice law, so I moved here to work the policy side of things instead. Right now I’m doing legal research for a non-profit.

    On the romance front, I’ve been seeing a wonderful guy for the past 8 months but I have finally accepted that the relationship has run its course. It’s hard, because he is such a nice guy who’s crazy about me and we have a lot in common, but there just isn’t enough chemistry for me to see a future with him. So after waiting for things to improve with time and then blaming external stress factors, I’m ready to put on my big girl panties and end it. I’m just nervous because, pathetic as this sounds, I haven’t had to initiate this kind of breakup since I was 14. And I did it badly then. So wish me luck, that part of this weekend is not going to be fun.

    1. HALLOWEEN is my favorite holiday. End your thing, & go forth into costumes. It’s the best release (e.g. Carnival). Do it.

      1. lets_be_honest says:

        Ahh Halloween. LOVE IT. My daughter has won the costume contest every year in our town, not to brag or anything 😉 but we live for Halloween! All holidays really, love Christmas morning!

    2. You are very brave to end things when you know they aren’t right, instead of dragging them out just because you don’t want to be alone or you don’t want to be the bad guy and do the dumping. Breaking up with Mr. Wrong is better for you both in the end, so focus on that. Good luck to you!

    3. Calliopedork says:

      Best of luck (is that what u say) on your break up. Im thinking of ending it with my.boyfriend but I am a wimp and our lease isnt up.until may.

      1. “Good luck on your break up” does sound kind of strange, but highly appropriate here. And believe me, if I’d had a natural breaking point like a lease or some major life change, I’d have waited for that too. Being the bad guy sucked, but now it’s time to enjoy some time on my own and make sure I’m open to future opportunities 🙂

  37. Ok, so i am Katie. i’m 22 (almost 23), i was born in Springfield, MI, and i have now lived in florida, chicago, minnesota, colorado (high school), new york (college), texas (externship), and now I am back in colorado. I met my boyfriend in college and he moved back to CO with me. I am currently a lab tech at a food production plant. it is an awesome job. me and jake at the culinary institute of america, where we both got our associates. hopefully someday i will have a bachelors in food science.

    my favorite things are the disney princesses, cats and chocolate, and i love eating good food. i used to dance, and i miss it a lot. i have absolutely 0 fashion sense and as of about a week ago went into sweatpants mode with the cold weather coming on. 24/7 sweats, its great, but not very attractive. i have one kitty, named Zoe, who was taken away from her mom too early and so she is a little crazy. i want to get her a boyfriend really badly but my own boyfriend doesnt want another cat. i was almost killed when i was 5 by a dog who bit my head (64 stiches!).

    my life has been very different from normal peoples. i didnt have a social security number or a birth certificate up until about 7 years ago. we had to sue the state of missouri to issue me one. it was another 4 years to get a social security number. my father is crazy, and thought it would be better if I lived “off the grid”. when i got my so sec number, i got a tattoo- 9 flowers (i love flowers), one for each number the government gave me. that was the first time I felt “normal”. I will be celebrating my 4th or 5th christmas this year. I have no concept of family or tradition, or whatever those things are that families do each year at the holiday time. i believe that religion is the reason for all the bad things in the world.

    i think thats all! lol

    1. silver_dragon_girl says:

      I think your tattoo story is awesome!

      1. thanks! its very special to me… and i watched the guy draw it, so i know that no one else has it! haha

    2. Painted_lady says:

      Okay, THAT is a fascinating life story at just 22. Love your tattoo story and love your contribution in general!

      1. lol.. yea. it never fails when someone mentions something about “normal” childhoods or asks me something about mine, and then i try to make it as short as I can (oh, yea no, my dad is weird and we werent allowed to celebrate holidays), i just end up having to launch into the whole story… lol.

        thanks though! i think we are DW besties, painted lady.

    3. Calliopedork says:

      Thats a cool tattoo. I love all the co love going on in this thread.

      1. yea CO! haha me to! i was actually really surprised of how many people there were. I guess i dont know why there couldnt be a lot of us on here, but its still just weird to be typing to people that I might be seeing at the grocery store on a daily basis! lol

    4. NO WAY! My cat, also named Zoe, was taken away from her mom too early and is a little bit crazy TOO!

      1. that is way weird!! my boyfriend finally gave in today and we went and looked at kitties. we found this great boy, 10 months, and jake named him Leo. you know that its good when jake actually wanted to name him, lol.. so tomorrow she will have a boyfriend!! yay!

      2. Yeah, while my Zoe doesn’t seem to be too fond of people, she looooooves my boy cat.

  38. silver_dragon_girl says:

    Hola, peeps. Yes, I’m posting this on a Friday night because I have nothing to do- I live in a tiny town (<2000 people) in North Dakota. I'm originally from Kansas (ROCK CHALK). I lived in WA for about 9 months, but other than that I'm a confirmed Midwesterner. I'm 24, have a BA in English, and I'm currently an admin. assistant at a small two-year college. I also teach a college writing prep class here, which is the highlight of my days, and has inspired me to go back to school for my secondary ed teaching certification. I hope to start that next year, but I am sort of dragging my feet on it because it's A Big Deal. I have no boyfriend at the moment, but I do have a cat and a roommate who are also my best friends. The roommate's cats are still in the "good acquaintance" category because I've only been living here for a month. My hobbies are reading, watching movies, working out (that's a new one, and something I never thought I'd be able to say about myself), baking and cooking, talking to the cats in their own tongue as best I can, and reading DW obsessively.

    1. bittergaymark says:

      Where in North Dakota? I grew up in the big city…. Fargo.

      1. silver_dragon_girl says:

        Well, I don’t want to give the farm away online…closer to Minot than any other “city.”

    2. Why not Minot? 🙂

      I work in North Dakota in the summers. Midwesterners represent!

      1. bittergaymark says:

        My grandparents lived in Minot. I spent a lot of time up there…

    3. Hey, I lived in North Dakota for a few years (as I wrote below). My favorite place! I lived in Grand Forks.

    4. WAIT A MINUTE. Not to be a North Dakota (or just small-town) stereotype (or creepy, for that matter), but I think I know you! Last time I saw you was at Tim McGraw??

      1. silver_dragon_girl says:

        OMG I was just thinking that!!! Crazy…the internet is a small world!!!

  39. fast eddie says:

    At 70 I’m “the old fart” in this site. Fast Eddie was a nickname I picked up from a fellow nudist in the 70s, there’s more about that on my site. Onnie (my wife of 23 years) will join me in the status of retired next week. I worked in I.T. and electronics in the Silicon Valley, she’s a nurse and worked in public health and AIDS care from the early days of that. We bought our acre in the country 13 years ago and moved to it in 2001. Ukiah is a small town 100 miles of San Francisco and Redwood Valley’s 10 miles beyond that with 2 bars, a gas station and a grocery store. Both of us were previously married but no children then or now. Our 3 cats make up for that to some degree and we’ve fostered kittens from the local shelter in recent years. One the adult residents doesn’t appreciate the babies and leaves home while they abide there.

    Our immediate plans include a handful of short trips and a few longer ones on our bucket list that include Canada, Costa Rica and Peru. I want to see the upper Amazon River. Being an military brat and 8 years of service in the Air Force from 60-69 I’ve lived in a bunch of countries and visited even more. I think all us profit from experiencing locals and cultures beyond our safe and normal. My most memorable are Antarctica on Operation Deep Freeze in 1962 and a year in Saigon fixing airplanes in 1968.

    I like to read biographies because they put a face on history and science fiction for it’s prediction of the effects of technology on the human race.

    I apologize for the lameness of my web site. It’s a copy-paste from my OKC profile and came free with my internet service. I need to work on it but there’s a few pictures of home and hearth that go with the essays there.

    1. lets_be_honest says:

      WOW. Really cool and glad to have you here!

    2. GingerLaine says:

      Costa Rica is AMAZING! The hubby & I honeymooned there 2 years ago, and we are literally ACHING to go back. We plan to retire there sometime in the distant future. 🙂

      We went to the Arenal region in the cloud forest and to Playa Conchal on the Pacific Coast. Gorgeousness all around. Delicious food. The happiest people. I can’t say enough good things about the country.

      If you & Onnie decide to go anytime soon and want some advice or general thoughts, please let me know! 🙂

      1. fast eddie says:

        I’d appreciate any advise you can offer. We expect to spend some time in Jaco. A national forest is near there, small town nice beach with our old housemates. My web site’s got a contact button and I’d love to hear from you. There’s more to the story that’s too long to post here.

      2. ForeverYoung says:

        Eddie I got married in Costa Rica! It is amazing, the people are so awesome. They have a policy there that if you get in trouble with the law (which is super rare, they just live by the golden rule) they send you to college instead of jail. I thought that was kind of cool.

      3. fast eddie says:

        We’re looking at going in January or February 20112.

      4. fast eddie says:

        OMG 20112 in above. That would be advance planning for 225 lifetimes. I intended to type 2012, just a few months away thus need to making reservations pretty soon.

      1. fast eddie says:

        Thanks Amber I bookmarked those sites.

      2. no problem! if you get a chance you should check out archie carr’s books as well. he wrote extensively about central america and actually africa as well. his words are very powerful, the descriptions of the places and people he encountered while on his trips bring up such emotion i’ve found myself crying before. i find this especially true of his trips to costa rica, i think he was in love with the country, both the animals and it’s people.

      3. fast eddie says:

        Thanks again, I track that down. Technically I was there on a cruise last Xmas but I had a cold that left me feeling so sick that I only got as far as the dock for the day we were there. Onnie went ahead on the planed tour, took a lot of pictures and was very impressed. Our old housemates have been there twice before so they can be guides if they join us.

  40. I am an occasional poster. I don’t do much on the internet, but for some reason I think DearWendy is such a great place and keeps me connected to English speaking people! I live in Kaohsiung, Taiwan but am from Portland, Oregon. I have lived in Taipei and Prague teaching at an international school and teaching English. I love traveling and exploring and I love to teach. I have haven’t lived in America since 2007 and sometimes I miss living in a place where I can easily communicate. Thankfully the internet helps give me an outlet and keeps me from getting too lonely. I moved from Prague to Taipei to see if things would work out with a man I briefly met in Prague. It was risky but the best decision I ever made. We plan on getting married sometime in the near future whenever we make it back to America.

    1. Oh I am 26 and I don’t have any pets. I would love to have a miniature dachshund. I dream about but I need a fixed location first.

  41. Britannia says:

    I’m Britannia… Age 22. Emotional age: Approximately 29 or so ever since I was born. Job: Currently training to be a visual merchandiser at Tommy Bahama. In university for a marketing degree after going to school for pharmacy and ending up hating it. I live in Tucson, Arizona. Besides Tucson, I have lived in Flagstaff, Arizona; northwestern Baja California; Guaymas, Mexico; St. Elizabeth, Jamaica; and a small town in northwestern Montana. Also, a town near Kamloops, BC along the Yellowhead Highway, but that was for less than a year so I’m not sure it really counts.

    I read books, watch Star Trek, do yoga, walk my dog, and hang out with my friends for fun. I’m recovering from a severe spinal injury so I don’t really have any hobbies except for being on the Yelp Elite Squad in my town and finding new places to try and review, being a Trekkie, and frequenting debate forums.

    I like to read poetry, I love horses (was a competitive equestrian for almost 10 years as a child), rain, trying new foods, and drinking cocktails. At least once a month, I host a potluck and go all out making cute hors d’oeuvres and baked goods… my current popular items include salmon puffs and pecan cake.

    I live with a boyfriend who I’ve been serious with for a year and a half now, we met in 7th grade and ended up reconnecting on Facebook about 3 years ago, eventually started dating. He treats me like a queen 🙂 I also have a Corgi/Dachshund mix named Charlie who is utterly devoted to me (and is a major attention magnet, he’s so pretty) and a turtle named Elliot who I’ve had for almost a year but have not yet developed a friendly relationship with.

  42. ReginaRey says:

    Whoaaaa late to the party, ya’ll!

    Just turned 23 a few weeks ago. Graduated from a big school in Virginia, was born and raised in Northern Virginia (commonly referred to as NOVA). Since graduation last year, I’ve lived at home with the parents and have saved a shit ton of money while working full-time at a large financial instution. I work in the Marketing Dept. as their Events & Promotions Coordinator. It’s not nearly as fun as it sounds!

    I’ve recently decided that I HATE office work, and have tentatively figured out my goal. In 2 years, I’m going to go to grad school to get a Psychology degree and eventually become a Marriage & Family therapist. I’ve found through here in part, and through my freelance relationship writing gigs (I have a weekly column! For those who are interested…http://www.themortonreport.com/features/relationships-by-rachel/), that I have a passion for helping people better their lives and to figure out their shit, to say it not so eloquently. I love reading, writing, majored in Communication, and LOVE psychology too – I’m fascinated by discovering how people work. I’d like to eventually write relationship self-help books (but for sassy, smart people who don’t mind hearing it like it is) in addition to my career as a therapist.

    The past year has been a quarter-life crisis for me, no doubt. I figured all of the above out, to start with, and then broke up with my boyfriend exactly 1 month ago today. This weekend I’m moving to my own place (SO excited), and on Monday I’m dying my hair red. Last month I was a blonde girl who lived at home and was in a relationship. This month I’m a single redhead who lives in an apartment in a new town. So is life, I guess. I’m excited for these next few years…I think they’ll totally define the rest of my life.

    1. isn’t it crazy what a month can mean in your life? or even a week?

      it never stops amazing me, lol.

    2. Addie Pray says:

      I think that’s a great plan. And from what I can tell from your DW comments, you’ll be great at it! God, I’m 32 and still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. Until then, I have to keep working as an attorney, which sucks monkey balls. But I’ve been doing it for 7 years now. Ugh, 7 years. 7 years of wearing pearls and suits or sweater twin sets, in an office, where for kicks I switch out pictures of my nephews as they get older. FML.

      1. lets_be_honest says:

        I know how you feel, 8 years in myself. But I hate hate hate change. Scares me to death. I envy people like Regina. Sounds exciting.

      2. Addie Pray says:

        so you’re an attorney too? … is this why we both like commenting during the day? (ie, the alternative – work – blows).

      3. I hate change too but seems my life is always foisting it off on me. Maybe there’s some lesson here for us to learn?

      4. ReginaRey says:

        OMG – the conservative clothes and boring jewelry is one of the reasons I’ve quickly grown tired of the stuffy office environment. Financial institutions are on par with law offices in regard to how conservative and unoriginal they are. I tire of wearing panty hose and pencil skirts all the time. And most days, I feel like I’m melting into my chair…I hate that I don’t get to MOVE!

    3. WatersEdge says:

      I’m a psychologist by trade (although I do not give advice here as a therapist in ANY way) and I’ve often thought that you’d be great at it. If you ever need any help navigating the complex decision of which type of degree to pursue, or if you want any advice on the process at all, please feel free to contact me. Wendy has my email address.

      1. ReginaRey says:

        I will absolutely take you up on that when I get closer to applying to schools and such! I’ve had Q&A sessions with a few therapists/psychologists and have really appreciated their insights and suggestions! Thank you!

      2. Painted_lady says:

        Oh, where were you six years ago when I was applying to grad schools? I got so frustrated and overwhelmed I quit altogether, and then when I did go it was for my theatre MFA. No regrets, I just occasionally wonder how it would have turned out.

    4. Jessiebelle says:

      ReginaRey, I live in NoVA and LOVE it. 🙂

  43. ForeverYoung says:

    I am a 23 year old brand new lawyer living in Colorado. I skipped a few grades and graduated early from pretty much everything so here I am. Because of this I feel like i’m at least 27.

    Although I have been pegged as a baby-hater here, it’s actually quite the opposite. I volunteer for a childs advocacy group, and I hope to become a foster parent within the next couple years. Or as soon as they will let me. My mom was a foster parent my whole childhood and the damage I have seen shitty parents do to their children is astounding. So when I seem judgmental about people having kids when they are not ready – that’s why. So I guess that is my career passion.

    I have been married for about 2 years, and I have a dog I am creepily obsessed with. I miss him when i’m at work and wonder what he’s doing, if he enjoyed the secret bone I hide in his blanket every morning, and if he’s found anything to destroy. I can’t wait to adopt another dog.

    Besides that I am obnoxiously into college football, and haven’t missed a college game day in years. Erin Andrews is my role model. I love wine, tequila, cooking anything in a crock pot, snowboarding, hiking, fall weather, black and white photos, and getting my yoga on every saturday. Lying is my biggest pet peeve, and I love high heels.

    1. lets_be_honest says:

      Ok, I’ll bite. Its nice to hear your passion and now I can understand why your a bit jaded for lack of a better term about parents. I love yoga and black and white photos too. Can I ask how hard it was when the foster kids leave? That’s how it usually works, right? I’m interested about that.

      1. ForeverYoung says:

        Well my mom was like 95% of the way through the process of adopting a girl that lived with us from the time she was 2 weeks old until about 2 and a half when her estranged aunt came in and got to veto us. Needless to say that was the last kid we took care of, my mom was devastated. So the young ones are just so cute and adorable, but we had some over the age of like 4 and they were already traumatized, it is crazy how much kids can feel when they are not loved and understand what is really going on.

      2. lets_be_honest says:

        Brutal. I couldnt handle it at all. So sad when kids are anything but loved.

      3. I had a foster daughter for 6 months. She was 18. It was a horrible experience for the most part. But at least she got to graduate high school with her class and not postpone it ANOTHER year. I imagine the little ones with shorter memories and less trauma would be easier…

    2. Oh wow. From all your anecdotes detailing your MIL’s shenanigans, I figured you had been married at least a decade. That’s a lot of absurdity to cram into 2 years, my sympathy for you just doubled.

      1. ForeverYoung says:

        Haha well she started her crazy pretty much the second we got engaged. So this has been going on for about 4 years now. But yeah she’s a hoot. I should admit though she has gotten much better lately towards me, not in general, she just has found new targets to direct her crazy at.

    3. Calliopedork says:

      More CO, yay! I feel u about kids. I am so deathly afraid of being a bad parent because its obvious how much shitty parenting affects people.

      1. ForeverYoung says:

        Colorado is a YAY for sure. I feel like if you are self aware enough to know you don’t want to be a bad parent – you won’t be. It’s the people that get pregnant and then are like – welp I guess I might as well just go ahead and keep it. They “accidentally” get pregnant – which I think is bs – because if you’re over the age of 18 you know how kids are made – but that’s a whole ‘nother can of worms – and then just assume they have no other options. Adoption exists for a reason. If you’re not ready to be a parent – you are doing your child absolutely NO FAVORS by keeping them. But again, most of the people that are terrible parents are the ones that aren’t even taking the time to think about what kind of parent they will be, so you’re probably in the clear 🙂

    4. ForeverYoung says:

      Oh and in case it’s not obvious – I have almost no mouth filter and say inappropriate things all the time – I am hoping this will stop or at least come less frequent with age.

  44. I’m 25, and I live in Brooklyn. I moved here a couple of months ago from North Dakota, where I lived for three years after college. I consider that my home, though I grew up in North Carolina. I like Brooklyn and New York, in general, but I think the next time I move, I’d like to move back to a smaller, more rural place again.

    I work in journalism, which has gone well for me so far. But I toy with the idea of going back to school. One of my roadblocks is that I can’t quite decide what to do, and I love the medical field, which would be a lot of schooling to get there from here. I like reading, watching movies, dancing, baking, eating yummy food.

    I am perpetually single. I’ve had several casual relationships lasting a couple of months, but nothing longer than that. It’s just worked out that way, where either I’m not interested, or he moves, or he and his ex have a secret baby and lie about it…

    1. silver_dragon_girl says:

      Yep. I totally know you in real life. Sort of. Ok, this is just too weird…!

    2. haha – I have your same issues…no babies…plenty of secret boy friends.

  45. caffeinatrix says:

    I just turned 25 last month. Except for my four years of college in Santa Cruz, I’ve lived in Sacramento, CA my whole life. No boyfriend, but I do have a pretty awesome cat. I majored in photography and politics in college, which came in really handy at the coffee shop I worked in after I graduated (yay recession!).
    I did, however, get majorly into bicycles halfway through college, so these days I spend a lot of my time riding. I ride road and mountain bikes, and I commute to work most days on one of my vintage bikes. I like cooking, baking, and reading, and I still do a little bit of art here and there (mostly simple line drawing), but these days most of my free time goes to hunting for jobs, sending out resumes and writing cover letters. For the past couple of years I’ve worked as a salesperson in a bike shop, but now I’m itching to get out and start my career in the bicycle/action sports industry. I’ve been sending out resumes and networking like crazy for the past 8 months. I’m really excited about the idea of moving somewhere new!

    1. Yay, banana slugs! I went to UCSC way back before they were the banana slugs…

  46. I’m Kate and I’m 44. I was born in San Francisco and still live in the Bay Area. I have a theatre degree but I work as a legal secretary. I’m tired of it and would like to move on but I haven’t figured out what I want to do instead. I have a hamster, fish and a parakeet and way too many hobbies. I sing, dance, read, write, take pictures, crochet, play the violin and recently took up spinning and embroidery. I like to travel but haven’t been able to for a while because of money (or lack of). I am a sci-fi geek and textbook Scorpio. I am also a pop-culture fiend and my brain is so cluttered with useless information that I’m sure I’m forgetting something important all the time. I am in the middle of a long dry spell because apparently, people think I’m a little strange. That’s okay.

    1. is that normal for a scorpio? to have our brains cluttered with things that dont really matter in our day to day lives?

      1. Yes it is! I am a textbook pisces so don’t feel bad! LOL

      2. well thats where i get it from! lol i read on the internet all the time! news articles, dear wendy, science-y stuff, basically anything that is mildly interesting to me. and i am constantly like, hey did you know what i read today? finches have a “language”. they studied wild finches and they could figure out a pattern to their chirps. then, they studied domesticated finches and they found that they had a completely different pattern! so then, they put the two types of finches together, and the two types created a totally new “language” so they could communiate!

        and my boyfriend just looks at me like im an idiot. lol….

  47. This is very timely for me as I turned 26 yesterday. I didn’t think I cared about turning 26, but I’ve been extra bratty and grumpy since yesterday. I really hope I’m not getting a second wave of that quarter life crisis!

    I’ve lived in NY all my life, except for summers in Cali since my mother moved there just before I turned 13. I’ve commented about my mother pretty extensively on DW. She’s schizophrenic and refuses treatment. But aside from my mama drama, I live a pretty normal life. I live in Manhattan with my long term boyfriend and our devious cat, Rafiki (a girl). She likes to eat anything expensive that my boyfriend leaves around, especially headphone cords. I’m a textbook writer/editor by day and a fiction writer by night. I’ve got three younger brothers, who are the loves of my life, and inspire me everyday. The best phone call I got on my birthday was from my youngest brother (13) who still isn’t embarrassed to tell me he loves me. Aww. I feel all appreciative now! Hopefully I’ll avoid that second wave of the quarter life crisis after all.

    1. Hope you don’t mind me asking but how did you get into editing? It’s something I’m considering as a path I might enjoy. (I’m currently in the no idea what to do with my life camp).

      1. I don’t mind. 🙂

        Friend of the family needed an assistant editor and since I had graduated earlier that year with a degree in English, she got me an interview at the company she worked at. I had edited my college newspaper as an undergrad, I love language, and I’m a pretty big grammar geek, so it was a good fit for me. The rest I learned on the job. I left editing and tried marketing for a while. It wasn’t my cup of tea so I went back to editing. While I do enjoy what I do, I feel obliged to warn you that textbook editing is not a very stable industry (which is why I went into marketing temporarily). But then again, nothing is these days!

        I started typing a novel, so if you’re really curious about the industry, feel free to click on my username. It will take you to my blog and from there you can email me. 🙂

      2. Awesome, thanks 🙂

    2. What is it about headphone cords? I have to make sure they’re in a zipped bag to make sure my cat doesn’t eat them. I guess they’re extra tasty.

      By the way, happy birthday!

      1. It’s like they’re a delicacy to her or something! She also loves iPod cords. I haven’t plugged my iPod into my computer in months because I keep forgetting to buy a new cord. I also wonder what the point is because she’ll just eat that one too! Apple must put kitty crack in those things because she once pried open the coffee table drawer -and I’m talking a solid oak coffee table here- and managed to yank the cord out enough to chew it to shreds. I have to admit though, I was a little impressed she got into the drawer. It was her Baxter moment.

        Thanks for the bday wishes!

      2. Jeez you too? I’ve already had to buy two new Macbook cords and one new iPhone cord. I now keep my cord at work and leave my phone charging during the day. My kitten just LOVES wires. And shoes. I can’t leave my shoes out or she’ll chew right through the straps.

  48. Christina says:

    I’m Christina. I read DW every day but only comment in spurts. (Thank you Wendy for my cool new blue gravatar!)
    I’m not thirty-ish like BGM says but everyone assumes that I am. Yay for that. I grew up in the California desert and go back to visit every few years just to feel right. I live in Oklahoma now and have really grown to love this region of the country. I’m a jewelry artist/goldsmith and I love creating with metals and sparkly stones. In college, I wanted to be a writer but I’ve worked in everything from landscaping/solar home design, to business mgmnt, to jewelry design. I always have an art project going, glass, tile, wire sculpture and my spare room looks like it. I love anything new and different from music to food (I’m currently obsessed with raw foods,) and love to travel. I will follow anyone with car keys and a vague plan on a day off work. I am engaged to a great guy who was the one who got away but came back. He keeps me on track and we have alot of fun together. We are currently fixing up his new/old house.
    I like reading DW and the perspective I get from her opinion and the rest of the commenters on here. I feel like I know a lot of you now.

    1. Woman of Words says:

      Interesting, Christina! Is your jewelry online?

      1. Christina says:

        I am working towards that but not just yet. Thanks for taking an interest. I think I have the most fascinating job ever of course. I have an hourly custom jewelry job and also work on my own stuff to sell. I make custom logo jewelry for local rock bands, spiders with gemstone bodies, lots of hand fabricated leaves and flowers on my designs and love opals, turquiose, alexandrite and moonstones. I do lost wax casting in gold and silver. I recommend it to anyone as a career.

  49. Painted_lady says:

    I’m MK (close as I can get to giving my real name without the terror that someone from work will see me, and I go by it occasionally anyway). I turned 29 last Wednesday, although I had another teacher at the high school yell at me for having my phone out in the hall – she thought I was a student, so I immediately forgave her. I’m a teacher – hence my terror at being found out. I teach middle school art and theatre, and high school floral design. It’s been kind of a stressful year already as they just dropped me into the floral design class a week ago – never taught it, never done it – and that was after they threw theatre at me over the summer. As it turns out, though, I really love my high school kids, in no small part because I don’t have to hang over their shoulders to make sure they’re working and not tearing up my supplies to throw at each other. My after school theatre kids, however, totally make the long hours worthwhile. They’re funny, creative, and incredibly smart. I look forward to hanging out with them for a couple of hours everyday.

    When I’m not at school, I moonlight as a scenic artist for a couple of local theatre companies and get to do theatre with the adults, and I stage manage in the summers. I work out, play with my labradoodle, Otto (he’s very smart, very bad, and very sweet), do yoga, knit, draw, paint, and count down the days till my boyfriend moves here and I get to see him everyday when I get home from work. He’s my best friend, and he was for fifteen years before we started dating thirteen months ago. I also have a really great group of friends I spend as much time as possible with, including my other best friend/hero who lives two hours away but is coming into Houston for a late birthday bash.

    Also, I couldn’t live without sushi, butterscotch hard candies, cheese (especially goat Gouda), Body Shop’s moringa fragrance, and heavy-duty conditioner (I have curly hair).

    1. Floral design! How fun. I was a professional floral designer for a couple of years in a former life and loved it. I did the flowers for my wedding, too — I remembered just enough to tackle that task. YouTube has some great floral design tutorials if you ever need some ideas of inspiration.

      1. I took floral design in HS and I LOVED IT! I’m also doing the flowers for my wedding! The morning of the wedding I’m having my bridesmaids over for a little luncheon and we’re going to make our bouquets and boutonnieres for the groomsmen. Yay creativity!

      2. Have fun!

      3. Painted_lady says:

        Yeah, it’s actually a lot of fun – I’m an artist, obviously, so it’s just working in a different medium, but I was the kind of girl who learned the power tools and the welder rather than learn to sew in college tech theatre. All my friends think it’s hilarious that I’m the one, of every art teacher in the district, that they moved me into this class. Also, I have a bunch of freaky skin allergies, and styrofoam happens to be one of them, so I’m thinking of ordering a hazmat suit for myself.

        But actually, as not-girly as I can be, I really love flowers and adore the contemporary arrangements I’ve been checking out in magazines while I’m desperately trying to learn to do this.

      4. Painted_lady says:

        Thanks for the info!!! I honestly have no idea what I’m doing – I get the aspects of the design part, but I have no idea how to make the flowers stay where I put them. Give me a steel beam or some lumber and I can make whatever you want, but give me a flower and I’m lost. I kind of feel like Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird when she’s forced to wear the dress.

    2. i am insanely jealous that you teach floral design!! i would have LOVED to take that in high school!

      gouda cheese was sent from the gods. no question. it is soooo good!

      1. Painted_lady says:

        As your DW bestie (I love it! And I agree!), you should try the goat variety. I pretty much only find it in the foodie grocery stores, and it’s a couple of dollars more than the regular kind, but I seriously have to stop myself from eating the entire thing in one sitting. My boyfriend made bruschetta one night with that, and I told him even if he never did anything else for me ever, I would totally still marry him based on that stuff. He still does stuff for me though 🙂

      2. i am fairly certain I have had the goat kind.. i just love cheese though. i dont like stinky cheese, i like more smooth-er cheeses (like gouda)… mmm…

        i actually just love goat-based things. have you ever had cajeta? its like dulce de leche, but made from goats milk. its sooo good. sweet and tangy. and, apparently when i was little, the only milk i liked was goats milk (i hate milk- even now). its somethin about those goats!! lol

  50. My name is Chris and I’m 31 years old. I live in south shore MA, but work in Boston doing finance during the week, and do retail nights and weekends. I’m engaged to the most beautiful red head in town, and we are getting married in Sept. 2012!

    I definitely don’t act my age, and it has gotten me in a little trouble before. My fiance who is 4 years younger than me definitely reminds me of this, and umm kind of lets me know when I’m being a little out of line haha.

    After I left college, and was finished with sports there, I decided to try some other things. First was dirt bike racing which was awesome, but I could be kind of reckless, and had some pretty good crashes, and have broken a good amount of bones! From there I went on to become a professional cage fighter, and went 7-1 while doing this. I retired from this last June, and sometimes miss it.

    Now I basically work all the time, hang out with my 3 nieces as much as possible, because they are amazing, and love my fiance as much as she loves them. Oh and I loving trying new beer, and spending summers up at my families house on squam lake NH.

    1. TheOtherMe says:

      I always love your posts Bagge !! thanks for sharing

      1. Thanks I always love your aswell, and hopefully now since I know you maybe Montreal Canadians fan, I can learn to keep loving them! Hahaha J/K but lets go BRUINS!

  51. Hey all! I’m Emma, 26 yrs old, but I am more mature then anyone else I know at my age. I’m from Long Island NY. I am currently in the process of finishing my certificate program to be a Certified Medical Asst., Phlebotomist, and EKG Tech. I will offically be done right before Thanksgiving. I live with my fiance J (hence the “emjay”). We have been together for a lil over 4yrs. And we have been trying to have a baby for almost a year. We think we nailed it this time though so please keep your fingers crossed. I took the test but it is still kinda early. And we have an adorable pitbull named Rocky who is the best companion anyone can hope for, and he does so many silly things in one day, he keeps us laughing all the time. I love to cook and must go shopping today to get all the stuff to start making stews and chili and soups for the winter. I also love gardening!

  52. belongsomewhere says:

    I’m 21 (almost 22) and I live in Brooklyn. I’m studying non-fiction writing, literature, and gender at a small college in NYC. I’m from Philadelphia originally, and I’m looking forward to hopefully moving to Boston for grad school (writing MFA or MA in gender and culture…I’m applying to a few of each) after I graduate from undergrad in May. I’ve always been at least five years older (emotionally) than most of my peers (I’m not great with people my own age, but people 5-20 years older than me have always liked me). I live with my boyfriend, and we will have been together 3 years in mid-October. I mostly write personal essay/memoir fragment (and I’m vaguely working on a memoir), but I also write fiction. I’m a feminist, and I love to watch awful teen TV shows under the guise of gender studies/feminist cultural criticism (I have actually written several long academic papers about them, but I watch mostly for entertainment). I’m off to a wedding today (my cousin is getting married), and I’m excited to be dressed up and go to my first of such events with my boyfriend (dancing and an open bar!).

    Everyone seems awesome! Glad to “know” you all a little better.

    1. Painted_lady says:

      I took a gender studies class my second to last semester in college and loved it so much I thought about staying longer so I could pick it up as a second minor. Instead I went to grad school and got really into feminist theatre.

  53. Hey everyone! I’m Valerie and I’m 26, and will turn 27 on 10/11 and I’m getting married on 10/15! I’m originally from the suburbs of Chicago and I’m pretty much a professional student. I went to the University of Illinois for undergrad (got a BS in chemistry), then went up to the University of Wisconsin for a MS in chemistry (and met my wonderful fiance Chris). He and I are now living in Indianapolis where he’s doing a residency program and I’m doing a PhD at the IU School of Medicine in Pharmacology. I’ve also spent two summers in Minneapolis (one for a research fellowship and the next after I graduated undergrad, just because I loved it so much.), so I’ve been all over the midwest.

    My favorite things include the Chicago White Sox, college football and basketball (I-L-L!), craft beer and brewery tours, good wine, biking, roadtrips, exploring new cities, and trying local restaurants (especially ethnic ones).

  54. My turn, I’m DT, 56 but feel 25 or even 15 on some days. I live in Silicon Valley (for a month now) where I moved for a job that didn’t work out. Great. I have a lovely boyfriend who’s younger than I am, and a wonderful, quirky curly-coated retriever named Ozzy that I show.

    I have two grown daughters, two grandkids, and a large extended family. I’ve lived all over the Western US, including a year in Hawaii (which I hate for a lot of reasons very few actually having to do with the state), have worked in a lot of fields including venture capital, window manufacturing, pond & fountain equipment, education, and accounting.

    I am a published poet and an aspiring novelist. See my comments above about National Novel Writing Month – I do this every year and have churned out five novels and two screenplays so far. I am currently editing and hope to e-publish one day soon. I am also working on a non-fiction book based on my experiences teaching creative writing to middle school kids. There’s probably a dog book in me someplace too…

    I’ve played violin since I was 8 and when I turned 13, my grandmother mailed me my great-grandfather’s violin. I had no idea that anyone else in the family played and it’s a very beautifully crafted instrument with awesome tone. I also taught myself to play piano and guitar and when my daughter took oboe lessons, I learned to play that a bit as well.

    I love cooking, baking, and canning foods. I think I must’ve been a pioneer in another life. I’m a cancer so my home is the center of my life and hate hate hate moving but I seem to do it fairly often.

    When I grow up, I hope to settle down, find a job I like, or even love, with congenial coworkers and be able to stay in one place close to my daughters and their families.

  55. Wow what a fun thread! It’s great to get to know some of the posters a little better!

    Anyway, my name is Anna and I’m 27 years old, although I don’t look or feel that old. I was born and raised near Geneva, OH but now live about an hour south of there in Ravenna. I have a B.A. in Communication Studies from Kent State University. My dream is to be a writer, but there isn’t a huge demand for those in the Cleveland area right now, so I currently work at a call center processing insurance claims for American Express rental car insurance. I have my own Examiner page, which I have recently resumed writing for in hopes to quit my dead end job someday. .

    I am in an 8-year relationship with my boyfriend, and soon we will be either getting engaged or breaking up as he is moving (talked about this on previous threads). My hobbies are reading, writing, shooting my guns, riding my 4 wheeler, doing cardio hip hop at Studio One Fitness, drinking wine, and cooking. Oh, and I also enjoy partaking in herbal relaxation remedies as some have discussed 🙂

    1. I didn’t realize we live so (relatively) close! It sounds like we have a crazy amount of stuff in common, too!

      P.S. I’m crossing my fingers you get your proposal!

      1. Hi Kristen! I just found your post above, glad to see others from Ohio on DW! I’m just about a half hour from Akron. And wow, we do have a lot in common! Writing, loving summer, and 8 yr relationships! Do you make a decent living writing/editing for the nonprofit? I am open to new professional challenges if you or any of your colleagues know of any opportunities. Are you on Facebook?

      2. Hi Anna,

        I’m not sure what you’d call decent! I make about $33,000/year plus benefits. I don’t do Facebook, but I’ll let you know if I hear about anything in this area. Although, hopefully you’ll be engaged and moving soon!

      3. Hi Kristen! Um, yes, $33k/year is more than decent! Last year, I made about $25k at my crappy deadend job. I would definitely appreciate a heads up if any great positions open up! I am hoping for the proposal and move to NC too, but also making plans to MOA with my own life if it doesn’t happen. You can email me anytime at atmartin06@yahoo.com.

      4. Will do! Has he made any hints about proposing?

      5. Not really…we have had a few serious discussions about the future. We always come to the conclusion that we have exactly the same goals when it comes to having a family and he even agrees that marriage is the most logical way to start a family before having kids (even though he doesn’t really buy into “religious/legal contracts”) I get the feeling that he wants exactly what I want but is scared of getting married. Lately, I’ve completely stopped the pressure and just focused on living a good life. He is aware of what is going to happen if he doesn’t propose. I’ve been doing more things on my own without him, and even accepted a 3rd shift job that keeps me away from home 4 nights out of the week. I took the job because it pays more but I’m hoping that it also makes him realize he misses me when I’m not there and realize that he doesn’t want to be without me forever. So far, I’ve gotten texts every night I’ve worked saying how much he misses me. One night, he looked me up on Yahoo messenger so we could IM while I was at work. I think maybe it’s working? *crossing fingers*

  56. Wow! Late to the party! Ok, for anybody still reading, my name is Sarah (obviously) and I’m 26. I am blond, tall, and a huge klutz. I was born and raised north of LA (Valley girl) but now I live in the heart of Hollywood with my boyfriend of over a year. Not the dodgy, druggy heart (maybe just a little), but our apartment is beautiful and vintage and we live right next to all the movie studios of classic movies and shows I grew up loving. We have two cats, Daphne and Mia (the daughters of a homeless cat I found a decade ago, they hate when I remind them they’re street), but we’re giving Mia back to my little sister in a month or so (Mia is really her cat).

    I have two sisters, one older and one younger, each two and a half years difference. Being the middle kid I’ve always been the loudest, the most stubborn, and the one who’s always willing to back up somebody in a fight if it means I get to be loud and stubborn :). I’ve cooled down a little over the years, but that’s in a big part to my wonderful boyfriend. I met him when we were working at an art museum together, and he is the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. We have no plans to marry or have babies yet, but we’ve both promised that will take a look at that whole thing in a few years or so.

    I graduated college with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and right now I work as a social media consultant/sometimes logo and graphic designer for a design company. I wish the latter were more true, but in the meantime I’m looking for a different career. I recently realized that I should have never given up photography, and am in the process or getting started again and pursuing a career as a wedding photographer. I’m a pescatarian and I’m trying to spend more of my time working towards environmental and animal causes I love. I spend most of my free time working on projects with my fabulously talented artist boyfriend, going to Disneyland (I just recently became a passhole), reading, hanging out with my sisters who I’m very close to, and taking advantage of everything Hollywood has to offer (except for hookers and blow).

    1. I’m now working hard to control my blind jealousy that you live in LA and work in the arts. That’s awesome. 🙂 Go you! I’ve been wanting to move to LA from the East Coast for years, but I’m afraid once I get there I won’t be able to make it. Hoping to visit within the next few years, though, at least!

    2. It’s great to meet you Sarah. You’re one of my favorite commenters here – I always look for your witty, to-the-point, kick-ass comments. You always manage to say exactly what I wanted to say, only so much more effective! 🙂

  57. GatorGirl says:

    Hi y’all! This is a great idea Wendy!

    My name is Amanda, I’m 26 and currently living in North-central FL. I was born and raised outside of Philadelphia, then spent 5 years in central North Carolina, moved back to PA, and then moved to FL!

    I have an absolutely wonderful boyfriend of almost 4 years, 3 of which were long distance. He was born and raised a Southerner and his family took some time adjusting to him dating a Yankee but I’ve been fully accepted now. We’re not technically engaged but are planning to get married August/September 2012. We have an awesome cat, Frank, who is 4 and crazy/lazy.

    My hobbies include the Philadelphia Eagles, the Florida Gators, scrapbooking, Glee, dirty martini’s with blue cheese olives, cooking and baking. I love spending time at home with my little family and can’t wait to add another member to it as soon as the boyfriend is on board.

    Oh and I hate Florida weather. It is so damn hot.

  58. How fun! It’s great to get to know everyone. 🙂

    I’m Elisse. I’m 28, pocket-sized-for-your-convenience at 4’10” & rocking a head of natural red curls, and I live in Raleigh, NC, though I grew up in a tiny farming town in Pennsylvania. After taking full advantage of my college education by spending a year studying abroad in the gorgeous small city of Lancaster, England, I went back across the pond for grad school in 2006 to get my Master’s in Screenwriting and Producing from the University of Westminster in London. That was probably the biggest adventure, challenging and also rewarding, of my life.

    When I got back to the US the economy turned, and I’ve been struggling to find a stable job since. I think I’ve finally landed one at Time Warner Cable, where I’m in sales. I also write quite a bit in my blog and work on scripts, as well as direct plays at my church (something I’ve always done – started directing my dubious classmates in Shakespearean plays at 14). If I could do anything, I’d be the writer/producer/director of my own sitcom. Hopefully someday! Like Kali above me, I also play(ed) the violin for about 10 years growing up, and now that I’m more settled I’m really considering starting again. I also enjoy cooking & trying out new recipes, watching (and analyzing) tv shows, and a lovely glass of wine.

    I live with my sweet, snuggly toy poodle to whom I am totally unhealthily attached. I’m perpetually single but have lots of hilarious dating stories…like that time I had a boyfriend for 24 hours and now he feels called to be a Catholic priest. Yes, that really happened. Last month.

    However, I do have very strong feelings for a good friend of mine who recently ended things with another girl. It’s When Harry Met Sally all over again, seriously.

    1. lets_be_honest says:

      Picturing how adorable you must looking with your toy poodle and head of curly red hair!

      1. Awww, thanks! That’s so sweet 🙂

    2. Elisse – your life has provided you with such great material for a script! I also dated guy who decided later to become a priest. And once I went out with a yogi too. Craziness.

  59. SpaceySteph says:

    Biggest weekend thread ever?

    I’m Stephanie, I’m 25 years old. I was born in Reading, PA (like the railroad on Monopoly) but raised in a suburb of Fort Lauderdale, FL. I went to college in Orlando (home of my first love, Mickey Mouse- shoutout to everyone else who’s mentioned Disney!) at University of Central Florida.

    When I was a kid I always wanted to be an astronaut so I studied Aerospace Engineering. I never thought I would get to work for NASA right out of school, but slightly by accident I applied for a mission control job in Houston, TX (with a NASA contractor, United Space Alliance) and got it. For the past 3 years I’ve been working in mission control for the International Space Station. If you’ve ever seen Apollo 13, its kinda like that. I work for the Electrical Power group so we manage 8 solar arrays (area similar to the broad side of a bus, each of them) that convert sunlight into power to run all the equipment on station. The worst part is the shift work, we staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so I work varying shifts (overnights, weekends, holidays) as well as putting in some office time planning and training.

    I have a boyfriend who also works for the Space Station program, he trains station astronauts to perform maintenance and replacing broken hardware. We’ve been together about a year and a half and things are going pretty well so far. We met through a several degrees of separation friend string: my coworker had a crush on another girl who worked at the space center, so he dragged me with him to a party at her house. There I met a guy who worked in that girl’s group who had a co-ed softball team. Somehow he recruited me to his team, which my now-boyfriend was also on. At the time I was in an LDR with my now-ex so we were just teammates for almost 2 years. A few months after my ex dumped me, we got together. Honestly he’s the best relationship I’ve ever been in and I’m starting to think maybe he’ll be the one! We have some difficulties ahead of us (I’m Jewish, he’s Catholic) but we’ve talked about it several times and I think we could make it work.

    1. Addie Pray says:

      i liked your lil’ bio — and your job seem so freakin’ cool!

      1. i second that… the long hours and stuff must suck, BUT whenever you just sit and think about what your doing, it just has to still amaze you.

      2. SpaceySteph says:

        Yeah, that’s pretty much how it goes. Sometimes at 4am when everyone is sleeping but I’m chugging caffeine and watching data and starting to hate my life, I remind myself that I’m living the dream and it makes me feel better. 🙂

    2. I’ve seen your handy work through a 10″ dobsonian telescope. Really all you see at the eyepiece is the panels. Everything else is to small to be really resolved. So on a down day when you doubt your job, look at those panels with your very eyes to see if they are still there 🙂

    3. One of my best friends works at mission control for the space station, I bet you know her!

    4. fast eddie says:

      Wow, what a great job to work at NASA. (envious) I worked a few years in field service for Univac at Slidell on the Saturn V project and Mars Mariner at JPL. It was super exciting to be part of the Apollo moon missions.

    5. Whoa… I think there’s like a 50% chance that we went to summer camp together. I’m clearly not very active here (reading this thread a week late, and only because I’m sick in bed today) but it blew my mind so much that I had to comment. It was a sleep-away camp in West Virginia. If you come back through this thread… was that you???!

  60. BroGoddess says:

    I’m 26, turning 27 on 10/24 (which is also Wendy’s due date, I think!). Born and raised near Philadelphia, but have slowly migrated south. Currently studying law and living in a cool retro apartment in New Orleans. Can’t wait to graduate in May and start a career as a juvenile public defender. Currently single, and not sure where life will take me, but really grateful to have very, very awesome friends! Also, can’t wait to have an apartment that allows pets so I can have a cat! It’s great to finally “meet” everyone here on DW after being a faithful reader from the start…

    1. Yep, 10/24 is the due date. Hoping for 10/18-10/20 though…

    2. I was a juvenile prosecutor for a bit… I really enjoyed it. The juvenile justice system is a great place for a new lawyer to learn the ins and outs of things, and also, importantly, to to help kids–because both the prosecution and the defense are about helping those kids, at the end of the day.

  61. Totally loving this thread. I shamelessly admit I’ve checked it about five times today.

    Just going to throw something out there: earlier in the comments a “things to do before I’m 30” bucket list came up. As one of the many 20-somethings on this site, I’m in the process of forming my own bucket list and am curious as to what other people might have on their lists. Fellow readers, I have a few questions for you:

    -What are some cool things you have on your bucket lists (both for life and pre-30)?
    -If you’re 30 or older, what is something you wish you had done before turning 30?
    -What is the coolest thing you have accomplished on your own personal bucket list thus far?

    1. Things to do before 30:

      get married
      start dream career (not going so well)
      buy a house
      get my pit bull puppy

      The coolest things I have accomplished thusfar on my bucket list:

      graduated from college
      written professionally
      visited Europe
      ridden a motorcycle

    2. gosh I havent even thought about a bucket list. I know i definitely want to get married and i want to travel to europe, specifically southern france, spain, and italy. i dont know how i feel about having kids. wow i feel weird that i haven’t thought about this.

      1. Yeah, I’ve been putting it off and then I realized that it would definitely help me to do what I absolutely REALLY want to do in life. I’m also one who loves lists. No time like the present for starting yours, right Katie? 🙂

        Some of my bucket list-in-progress is as follows…

        — Donate blood. I’m TERRIFIED of needles but I want to bite the bullet and just do it!
        — Achieve a healthier weight. I’ve always been so self-conscious of my body.
        — Wear a bikini! See above. Self consciousness = no bikini in the summer.
        — Run a 5K. Started the Couch to 5K plan this week! 🙂
        — Get married.
        — Read 52 new books in a year. Won’t be a problem. I LOVE to read.
        — Try 30 new recipes in a month.
        — Go skydiving!

      2. your so right. it just feels so grown up for some reason to me. lol…. like im planning for the end or something…

        skydiving will definitely have to be on mine to!

      3. Christina says:

        Two quick ones for the early bucket list.
        Yes go skydiving – not “tandem” where you are hooked up to some dude, but “static line” where you are solo with a parachute and a cable pulls your chute as you fall away from the plane. It is as close to being a superhero as you can get in real life and several times I’ve had a guy become utterly fascinated with me when i told him about it.
        Go to Europe or somewhere else you find interesting overseas. It gives you wonderful perspective on culture and art and you will be able to watch movies and tell people that you had gelato right there in St Mark’s Square where that actor is chasing after that other actor in The Tourist or whatever. Also if you go with a touring company, go before you are 35. You get a whole different tour that the older folks go on.

      4. I’ve been to Europe, but definitely want to go back! I went to France in high school and LOVED it and then through my college a group went to Eastern Europe — Hungary, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, and Poland.

        At the moment Italy, England, Ireland, Greece, and Switzerland are on the list. 🙂

      5. I used to scared to give blood too but I just did it and got over it. It’s not too bad, and I absolutely hate needles. It’s worth it because you are helping people.

      6. SpaceySteph says:

        I love C25K! I did it once back in college and then, again last spring. The problem for me whenever I start an exercise regimen is that I go too hard too fast, decide its too hard, and then peter off. But with a program like that, I do so much better because I can start gradually and still feel like I’m making progress.

        These days, I never exercise without some kind of training plan.

      7. You should definitely donate blood. I was terrified of needles too but my brother was in a horrific accident and needed tons of blood so I mastered my fears and donated. Then I did it again and again. Go to the blood bank (not one of those motor home mobile sites) and tell them it’s your first time and you need someone who’s really good. You may not even feel the needle. And don’t look. It looks way worse than it is. Afterwards, take your time getting up and recovering. Drink some orange juice and eat a donut/cookie or two. Heck, have three. Then take it easy for the rest of the day and wear your Be Nice To Me, I Donated Blood Today sticker proudly! It’s a great feeling to know you’re helping.

      8. I’m pretty afraid of needles, but since I’ve had my blood drawn so much during this pregnancy and have had several IVs during my hospital stays, I’ve been conquering the fear pretty well. To be honest, I hardly feel the needles anymore (and I NEVER peek at the needle; that’s key, I think). So I was thinking that once I’m able to donate blood, I’m going to start doing so on the regular. It’s such a simple — and free! — way to help others. And you never know when it may be you or someone you love who needs blood.

      9. The three cookies part sounds like a plan. 😉

        I’m hoping to set up an appointment soonish (next month or so). I have been on and off medications for years, so I think I’ve been using that as my excuse as to why I haven’t donated… And now that I haven’t been taking meds for a while, that excuse doesn’t exist anymore! Glad to hear so many others have mastered their fear of needles!!!

      10. Just set up an appointment for October 18th for donating blood! 😀

      11. Good for you! It’s such a worthwhile thing to do and really it doesn’t hurt, I describe it more like a sharp stinging sensation and it’s over before you know it. Good luck 🙂

      12. SpaceySteph says:

        I agree about it not hurting. I hate needles. Shots terrify me. You would think giving blood would be like a prolonged shot, but to be honest, it pinches for like a second and then you’re fine. Shots hurt way more, even after they’re over. I would rather give blood a hundred times, than get a tetanus booster.
        You’ll do great! And then you can be one act closer to kicking the bucket list! 🙂

    3. My bucket list is sillier and perhaps easier, because 30 is mere months away. I want to …

      -get into grad school (almost done)
      -start a retirement plan at work (should have done so earlier)
      -get out of credit card debt (probably not gonna happen)
      -get a passport (nope, never been out of the country)
      -learn to tolerate tequila again (I developed an aversion before I was even 21)
      -ride a mechanical bull (check!)
      -sing karaoke (my boyfriend’s idea)
      -kiss a girl (check!)
      -travel alone (check!)
      -make exercise part of my routine (check!)
      -quit smoking (check!)
      -move out of my hometown (check!)
      -Route 66 road trip (check!)

      And……finish the list because it’s supposed to have 30 items.

      I’ve found a career I like, and I’m independent and self-sufficient. Those things are important to me. So even though I’m not QUITE where I want to be (especially financially), I’m content with where I’m at.

      Marriage and kids are absent from my list. Watching all my friends get hitched and pregnant has sort of convinced me that I’m NOT ready for all of that quite yet. And that’s OK! I’m pretty sure I don’t want kids ever (though open to the idea that I MIGHT change my mind someday), and my boyfriend is on the same page, so I’m OK with where we’re at. I feel like EVERYONE I KNOW is pregnant right now!!!! It’s freaking me out a bit – like, is there something wrong with me because I don’t have this urge? When I was younger I would think, “Sure, someday….” but now that someday could realistically be NOW? I’m like, uhhhhhhhhh NO.

      1. i can so relate- have four friends that are all having babies right now. i am working on two baby shower gifts, with another one that I will be working on soon (she just found out shes pregnant), and my boyfriend’s brother’s fiance already has a 2 year old girl. i feel like im becoming an aunt this year! lol… but i dont want kids either (i dont think) and neither does my boyfriend so thats a good thing. just be happy your on the same page lol.

        we can just live vicariously through our friends!! lol

      2. yes, i feel like someone new announces they are pregnant every day. i think i’m up to 10 people who have had babies this year or are currently pregnant. i have to remind myself it’s this season in life. i too have no desire for children now (or probably ever). my husband and i have decided that we’re an excellent aunt and uncle and that may be all we decide to ever be.

  62. I’m the other Christy! 🙂 I’m in grad school too, except getting a PhD in psychology (not the therapist kind). I’m 26, I live in the Detroit suburbs and for fun I watch TV (Criminal Minds, House Hunters, and football mostly) and hang out with my boyfriend. I found Dear Wendy on the Frisky and love the new website because now I don’t have to browse through articles about celebrity babies or whatever.

  63. Hi everyone! I’m 27, originally from Pennsylvania, but now living in Colorado. I’m working on a phd in atmospheric science and hoping to be done next summer. I live with my awesome boyfriend of 2+ years, my cat, Kydoimos, and my dog, Toby (that’s him in my avatar picture). I’m in a mini-bowling league with some people from work and I’m slowly becoming a better bowler. I drink way more beer than is probably healthy (but who can blame me in Colorado?), and I just bought a crock pot, so will probably be eating chili a minimum of 3 meals a week now.

  64. LittleLuWho says:

    Hi! I’m Lindsay, I’m 23 and live in Queens with my boyfriend and our furry children (2 cats, 6 month old Rat Terrier mix puppy). I’m originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia and we plan to move back to that area when our current lease is up in April. We visit my parents in PA most weekends because my family’s 14 yr old dog has a large tumor on her spleen and her days are numbered so I’m trying to soak up what time with her I can. I went to school in upstate NY and moved to NYC to pursue a masters in social work, but I left after a semester of the program when I realized it wasn’t what I want to be when I grow up. I just left my job as an executive assistant to a high-powered real estate broker yesterday because 8 months in a toxic work environment was about 7 months too long. I’m taking this week off to recoup and more or less have a similar job lined up with an agent who left our agency a few months ago but nothing is in writing yet so I’m planning to just canvas local retail if I haven’t gotten more definite confirmation by the end of this week.

    A lot of my time is devoted to caring for our puppy since she’s still in the early stages of potty and obedience training and she’s SUPER high energy but it’s worth it because she’s a ginormous love bug. Before we got her, I obsessively doted on my cat, Gus, who is a 15lb black male Maine Coon (he’s a good boy who loves his mommy and nursing on a fuzzy green blanket) because my boyfriend’s petite short-hair, Rex (female, which he didn’t know when he got her), is indifferent to humans who aren’t my boyfriend. The cats are admittedly less cuddly now that the dog has taken over and it makes me sad. The rest of my non-work time is typically spent either cleaning (I’m not a naturally clean person so I work pretty hard at it) or catching up on shows we DVR or working on a TV series on Netflix. We’re currently watching Prison Break, Veronica Mars, and Breaking Bad. And we’re very excited that Dexter starts next weekend. In addition to reading Dear Wendy constantly (I started reading her columns about 2 years ago when The Frisky was still good), I also read The HairPin and Thought Catalogue. I’d like to read more in terms of actual books but I’m just finishing up a long journey of listening to the entire backlog of the Savage Love Podcast on my commutes first. Book suggestions are welcome!

    I’d say that my emotional age is in my 30s or 40s. I don’t really enjoy going out or parties or big social outings and get along better with people who are a good deal older than me, like a lot of my parents’ friends. I’m excited to get married and have a couple of kids and luckily my bf is equally excited for the same things. We’ve been talking about getting engaged and married for a few months and are just waiting on his finances to even out (he just finished grad school and started working so he’s a couple of paychecks away from total stability) before I get a ring but we’re planning a pretty short engagement and a City Hall ceremony sometime in 2012.

    This is already a novel so I’m going to wrap it up before it becomes my entire autobiography 🙂

    1. The cats will get cuddly again, it just takes a while. I also mourned the loss of my lap cat when my dog started taking over, but the two have learned to coexist pretty well, and are actually both laying on the couch with me right now 🙂

      1. LittleLuWho says:

        Ah, that makes me so happy to hear 🙂 We’ve had the puppy for a month and a half and the cats are still cautiously warming up to her. The dog just wants to play and chase the cats and the cats just want to sniff her and lay on our laps and eat her puppy kibble. We’ve been trying to do a controlled immersion type of thing where the dog isn’t allowed in the bedroom so the cats have a safe space but the cats are shut out of the bedroom for a couple of hours when the dog is running around every day while we supervise. I just want my baby boy to smother me on the couch while the puppy chews on her bone!

    2. Yay Maine Coon love! I’ll bet he’s a beauty. My cat is half Maine Coon/half street cat – his mum got out of the house when her owners were on holiday and got knocked up haha. He’s a 2 year old ginger tiger called Niko and I’m quite worried that he’s just never going to stop growing although I hear 3-5 is normal for them…

  65. I’m 25 and living outside of Boston- just moved here in May from Maryland and I love it! I’m originally from a small town in Pennsylvania that’s the “highest settled point in the state” which basically means it snows about 7 months a year. So, I can drive in snow and ice, but I can’t park a car to save my life (I hit my garage walls twice in two months-oops). I recently got married (August 13th) and am actually a LW to Dear Wendy. I wrote to her regarding a maid of honor problem which tore me up at the moment, but in reality, was just me not letting go of a friendship that should have ended years earlier. I’m a hoarder of friendships, basically. haha

    I have a crazy black lab/pitbulll mix who is my life. I’m addicted to college football and obsessed with Penn State football. I love kids and am returning to school for a second degree so I can open a daycare/preschool center within the next two years.

    1. Woo! I’m a Penn Stater myself!

      1. Yay! I always seem to find Penn Staters wherever I go. I’m so glad there’s another Penn Stater on Dear Wendy!

      2. I am a Marylander- but love Nebraska Football. I surprised the boyfriend with Penn State vs Nebraska tickets…should be an awesome game!!! I also went to East Carolina University for grad school, so I have to cheer for the Pirates too!

  66. I’m Lindsey, I’m 30 and I live in Toronto, ON. I write sex blogs for a living which means that I’m extremely open minded and also that I have no concept of what people think is kinky anymore.

    Although it surprises people, writing about sex can be just as boring as any other job some days! I do love it though!

    My jobs have ranged from telemarketer to nonprofit fundraiser to phone sex operator before I decided that I wanted to work for myself.

    Right now it’s just me and my cat named Flo!
    I’m a big movie and tv nerd and don’t discriminate. I love everything from classic musicals (Gene Kelly equals swoooon) to low brow comedies (looking at you Adam Sandler) to movies that are so bad they are good!!

    I also love to read (YA especially) and enjoy revisiting books that I have read over and over since my childhoold. (The cover is falling off my Anne of Green Gables!)

    I also just learned how to knit around this time last year. I’ve made a blanket and am now in the middle of making a hoodie. I find knitting ten times more relaxing then yoga!

    1. i revist books all the time too. my two favorites are to kill a mockingbird and the poisonwood bible.

    2. I have a coverless Anne of Green Gables as well =)
      And I cry every single time I read the scene with Matthew…you know the one.

      1. Me too! I always skip that part! 🙂

  67. Hi. I’m 23 (F) and I’m from Sri Lanka. I’ve never been to the US!! I graduated from med college last year and will be getting my internship next year. Till then I’m working part time. My hobbies are traveling, reading, talking to my friends and anything else mainstream. My friends are currently scattered all over the globe and they mean everything to me. They were my family growing up. I am outspoken, hot headed and way too honest. Really great to meet everyone. =)

    1. P.S. I’m single. Fall is my favorite time of the year (although we don’t have seasons in SL. I studied abroad and really miss it. It’s just endless summer over here). My emotional age seems stuck at 16.

  68. Hi ya’ll-
    (but seriously, the english language is really lacking a ‘you’ plural)

    My name is actually also Emma, seems a popular one on DW, I just turned 23 last week. As of right now don’t really live anywhere but have been bouncing around the east coast since last April when I returned from a year abroad in Bangkok. I technically live with my parents and younger brother in Burlington, VT or at least thats where most of my stuff is being stored. But you can also find me in New York’s Chinatown where my boyfriend of almost 2 years lives or in Boston,Philly, DC and Baltimore where I keep in touch with my friends from college. My bag is always packed for a trip and I’ve loved getting to know each city really well in the last few months.

    Currently I’m working on my masters thesis in human rights at a university in Thailand. I’ve finished a year of coursework there and am now doing my fieldwork back in the US. Its pretty bizarre to be studying abroad in your own country but its been nice to reconnect with friends, family and not be a $1300 plane ride away from my boyfriend.

    I don’t drive but love road trips which means I’m a really good navigator. My twin sister recently moved out to Indiana for her masters degree so I’ve been slowly introducing myself to the midwest, previously a rather mysterious region. While I went to college in my home town I’ve managed to live in some pretty cool places over the years including Berlin, Germany and Accra, Ghana. Right now I’m trying to get comfortable in back in the US and being very nomadic has been helping. I’m obsessed with: learning to cook, the 2 am dumpling lady across the street from my boyfriends apt, NYtimes columnists, Ethiopian food, flying, Megabus,getting manicures in unexpected places and my never-ending quest to understand american football.

    It’s great to meet all of you!

  69. Hi, I’m Caroline! I’m 21 and I live in Houston, TX (born and bred) and go to school here as well. This place is actually my third college that I’ve been to – I dropped out of the first one I went to after a week and a half of total misery and then went to a large in-state school before transferring to this smaller one in my hometown. I do have issues with homesickness, but I’ve gotten over that for the most part I think and I can’t wait to move out of Houston! I love it and all, but it’s too freaking hot here. I’d love to move to Colorado or to the East Coast.

    I’m an Environmental Studies major with a minor in International Relations. I love Environmental Studies, but I wish I was studying it at a different school, because this program has way too much religion in it. It’s really frustrating, but I’m nearly done so I’m just going to stick it out. I love traveling, I’ve been all over the world and so that’s why I’m minoring in International Relations. I’d love to live in Ireland (spent three weeks there this summer for school – one of the best trips of my life!) or New Zealand (beautiful country) someday.

    But honestly I have no idea what I want to do once I graduate. If I could do college over again, I would have done it differently. For starters, I would have gone to the other school that I really liked that accepted me with a generous scholarship. I’m wishing I had gone into interior design, history, or archaeology…those are my secret dream careers. Maybe I’ll get a masters in archaeology when I graduate, but I don’t really want to go to graduate school right away. I need a break from school. I’m just trying to figure out my life plan at the moment. Nothing is for certain and that unsettles me. I want to move out of my parents’ house and into my own little apartment.

    I have a boyfriend that I love so much, and we’ve talked about getting married, but I don’t think we will end up getting married. Our personalities are similar but I’m liberal and he’s conservative and we have very, VERY different plans for our futures. I’m just not sure that we can compromise enough to be happy. It sucks, but for now I’m just happy to be with him. He’s my first boyfriend, and I’m really happy that he is.

    I could say more but I don’t want to bore anyone so I’ll leave it at that!

  70. Hi I’m PInky. I’m 42. If you’ve read “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” you’ll know that 42 is the answer to the Great Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. I also share a birthday with Douglas Adams (March 11th) so I’m playing it up for all it’s worth this year. I’m from Pasadena, CA and after bopping about the planet for a spell, came back and grew roots in my hometown. I teach English as a Second Language at my local community college. I also facilitate a reading club at a local after-school program. I’m always looking for good YA fiction so the kids will actually enjoy reading. I’m married to my best friend. I’ve know Mr. Pinky for about 17 years. We’ve been together as a couple for about nine years and married for about four years. We have the two best cats in this sector of the galaxy.

    1. My birthday is March 11 too!

      1. Caroline, have you noticed that the new time change is usually on our birthday weekend? Spring forward!

  71. AlmostLola says:

    I’m a major advice column addict and the moment I stumbled across DW on TF I was hooked. Though I’ve never commented before, I probably check DW more often than facebook.

    I just turned 30 last July. Some days I feel like I was born 40 years old, other days I can’t believe I’m a day passed 25. Currently I live in Lansing, MI, though I have lived all over the state. I am a freelance writer and a novelist (no one famous). I love reading–classics, women’s lit, sci-fi, adventure nonfiction, biographies–photography, throwing dinner parties, and cooking–I started my own cooking blog a couple months ago. I’m Buddhist and study architecture and religion just for the fun of it.

    I live with my wonderful boyfriend of three years. 2011 started out a great year for us, we were planning on getting engaged, buying a house, getting a dog but then the economy kind of bit us in the ass and all our plans got put on hold until our fiances get back on track.

  72. My bucket list has only three items on it:

    1. Show my own dog at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
    2. Spend Christmas someplace with snow (perhaps Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, Oregon)
    3. Publish at least one of my novels

  73. Finally back to DW after some technical difficulties. Love this thread!
    I´m 32 (I still have to do the math to remember that and 33 is just around the corner), I was born and lived until 16 in New Zealand, since then I´ve lived in Buenos Aires Argentina (my parents were from here originally).
    I´m an Occupátional Therapist, but currently (and for the foreseeable future) I´m being a full time mummy to my 2 princesses, one will be 4 in December, the other will be 5 months old tomorrow.

    1. Another New Zealander! (well, expat, anyway) I was wondering if there were any more of us!

  74. I’m 26, and I’m a lawyer in South Florida. That sounds so stodgy and grown-up, but I sometimes I still feel like a college kid without a care in the world! I enjoy my job, but I never expected to find myself in this field. My dream was to become a novelist, and I still hope that happens someday; it’s just tough to be creative in the time I have left after a demanding day job!

    In the next 10 years, my dreams center on getting married and having babies. Lots of them, if my body is willing! It saddens me when people think that those dreams are anti-feminist, and I wish it wasn’t also considered anti-feminist for me to be well educated, doing well in a man’s field (my area of law is very male-dominated), yet hoping to one day be a stay-at-home mom! But, life being what it is, and kids being what they are, I’ll probably have to work anyway.

    In the mean time, though, I’d love it if my near future involved adopting a puppy, growing a garden, and getting back into a favorite sport from my childhood.

  75. A little late in the weekend..but I’m Kerry. I grew up and went to college in Pennsylvania, moved to MD to get my Masters of Library Science, and I’m recently unemployed 🙁 I live right outside of DC and when I’m not applying to library jobs in the area, I play with my miniature dachshund, Summer. I also love reading, cooking, and trying new foods. My bf and I are in an LDR right now because of his job, so I go to West Virginia once a month. We spend a lot of time outside together in that wild and wonderful state. That’s my life right now!

  76. AliceInDairyLand says:

    I love this idea! My name is actually not Alice, it is Laura and I turned 21 relatively recently. I tend to comment sporadically, but I do read every day and have written in I think 3 times (?) and need to send an update for one of them.

    I grew up in WI, did my undergrad in WI, and am currently in my first year of veterinary school in WI and although I haven’t done a ton of traveling I am glad I have made the choices I did. I got my undergraduate degree in Dairy Science kind of on a whim and wanting to get more large animal experience for my application. I ended up falling absolutely in love with the cows, the farmers, and the medicine involved. If I had had more time I would have also minored in Environmental Studies but I ended up getting in to vet school after 3 years of undergrad. I am really interested in sustainable agriculture (livestock especially!) as well as animal welfare. I have a lot of life options open to me but luckily I have another 4 years before I really have to start making up my mind.

    Next week I will be celebrating my 1 year anniversary with my amazing boyfriend. He is 5 years older than me, which I think compliments me well because a lot of guys my age aren’t on the same page of life as I am. He is an organic vegetable farmer, however my passion/obsession with livestock has won him over and he is starting to raise a few pigs and might be starting to sell eggs as well. My life is kind of different than most 21 year olds as I often spend weekends planting/harvesting/making apple cider but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

    Interesting thing about me: I have worked a TON of different animal related jobs. I milked cows on a small dairy, I currently teach dog obedience classes, I worked at a pet resort, shadowed a veterinary acupuncturist, and worked in a canine oncology laboratory. Oh yes, and took care of lab mice/rats for a year and milked sheep and goats in Italy and learned to make goat cheese one summer (DELICIOUS!).

    1. I’m visit Wisconsin often, as my boyfriend lives there. We’re practically neighbors, since I live in Minnesota. 🙂 (And I highly dislike the Vikings and NFL in general, so no hating on me because I hail from the land of 10,000 losses. Ha.)

    2. honeybeenicki says:

      Apparently there are a couple of us Cheeseheads on DW 🙂 I was born and raised near the Dells but live in Madison now.

    3. My Cousin is in Veterinary School in Madison right now! She has actually been out there for 2 years now I think!

      1. AliceInDairyLand says:

        Ahaa too weird. Most likely I know her or at least have met her. There are only 80 of us in each year so it starts feeling like a tiny-high-school REALLLY quick.

        Also, Madison and WI in general is pretty much my favorite place in the whole world and I am glad to see I am not the only one representing!

      2. honeybeenicki says:

        I love Wisconsin (and Madison specifically), but I really hate the cold so one day I’m going to buy the state and then pick it up and move it south. For the people who like snow… well, they’ll just have to stay in the vacant hole that it will leave. Madison is such an amazing place and like they say its “15 square miles surrounded by reality” 🙂

  77. i’m late because i didn’t open my computer yesterday. i’m 35 and live in Austin-Texas but i’m originally from Lima-Peru. I’m doing my PhD in education and I’ve been married for almost a year now to the smartest and hottest guy i found in the US (i’m biased i know, but you should see him!!!). I don’t know when i get the time to read DW with all the stuff i have to do but i always find it. i have three big dogs and we’re thinking of buying a house soon and have a baby too (i don’t know where i’ll find the time to study, write, publish and change diapers… headache starting now) what else? i’m always looking for the best sushi in town and looking forward to music festivals. i don’t know if i have a bucket list for when i turn 40 (not afraid of my age, actually my personal e-mail includes the year i was born as a statement)… but i know if i have one that won’t include an iron man or any kind of marathon.

  78. I’m late too! My name is Coralie, I’m 23 and I live in Wellington, which is the capital city of New Zealand. (Incidentally, where the Rugby World Cup is on right now…if you care!) I just finished my MA in history, and am job hunting. I have some contract work as a Research Assistant but it’s not very exciting – hoping to find something more permanent soon. I love jumping onto Dear Wendy every day, though I’ve only just started commenting.

    I have been dating my bf for two years and am very happy, hoping that we will stay together even longer term though I’m not interested in getting married just yet! We are planning travel together though which is exciting. In my spare time I love to read crime novels, game a little bit, and go to the gym.

    1. fast eddie says:

      I was lucky to spend a few months in Christchurch on Operation Deep Freeze in 1962. The people there are wonderful and country is beautiful. It would be super to grab 3and6 of fish and chips again. No matter what they call here in the US it’s not even close to being as good as yours.

  79. Jessiebelle says:

    K, so I have been totally lurking here forever and this is my first ever post! I grew up on Long Island but moved to NoVA (northern VA). I’m 25 and attended college in upstate New York, majoring in journalism and women’s studies. I am a grad student at American University studying public communication, and my dream is to be the VP of communications for a nonprofit. I currently edit a Patch website in NoVA and freelance for a trade association on the side. I’m recently single, broke up with my boyfriend about 2 weeks ago, and I’m dealing with the heartache but I’m still truckin’. I like to bike, swim, dance, practice yoga, and write, and I’ve been playing the flute for the last 16 years.

    1. Cyber high-five to a fellow flutist!!!! 😀 I’ve been playing for…14 years? Lost track a long time ago.

  80. Firegirl32 says:

    I’m a little late, but I love this thread so I’m in! I’m Jolene – 34 – born and raised in rural, WI. I live in the country with my son, my firefighter, our cat (Cami) and 2 chickens (Gilligan and Ginger)! I have a degree in English and I work for a utility and do a lot of talking and writing about energy efficiency. As I sit here, I have a fire in the fireplace (holy chilly weather today!), the cat curled up at my side and the TV on – which is about a perfect a Sunday night I can get. We have a huge garden…as we both LOVE cooking and saying “honey will you go grab some potatoes and onions and peppers out of the garden for supper” makes me happy. My most favorite of recent memory was walking out of the house to head to work and seeing my son eating peas off the vine and the chicken laying an egg in my flower bed. It makes me ridiculously happy. That’s about me in a nutshell! Thanks Wendy! I love this idea!

    1. honeybeenicki says:

      I’m from WI also 🙂 I was born and raised in the middle of nowhere but now live in the city. I always thought I’d be a country girl, but I’ve been in the city for 10 years and don’t think I could ever leave.

      1. Firegirl32 says:

        I tried the city, thinking after college I was going to maove away fromthe country forever…I couldn’t get back fast enough! I just love the quiet. Being able to see the stars. Riding 4-wheeler out back. 🙂 But my favorite travel spot is Vegas…so every now and again the big city calls my name!

      2. honeybeenicki says:

        It probably helps that I was moved to the city (against my will) at 15, so I did do most of my growing up in the city from an adult standpoint. I do miss the country sometimes and I often go back to where I grew up and hang out at the creek I spent a lot of my childhood at.

    2. Those things would make me ridiculously happy too 🙂 Loved reading your bio!

  81. fast eddie says:

    I’m very glad you did this thread Wendy. I’ve often wanted to know a little more about the DWits and marvel at the diversity therein. My mini bio’s somewhere around the middle of this. A heart felt thanks to all of you for sharing.

  82. Fancy Pants says:

    I’m a bit late, but maybe some of you are still looking at this. I’ve loved learning about all of you. I’m a 26 year old, originally from upstate new york but I currently live in downtown Toronto with my wonderful fiance. I work in TV, and Wendy is my favorite out of all of the advice columns I read.

  83. Ok, for reference, I am Nick, I am 36, male, live with my wife and lovely kittehs in California. I am a libertarian, with an anti-cynical bent. I’m not much of a discloser. I am a huge fan of balance, wit, and good writing. I’ve appreciated Wendy’s writing for quite a while and sometimes take contrarian views.

  84. I am oh so late but here: I am twenty-three, from New Zealand but living in Australia, and off to see what it feels like to live in England very soon. I have a degree, but havent used it yet. I have a boyfriend of over four years and we are very happy together.
    I get very homesick, but that hasn’t stopped the travel-bug in me so far! Its getting to be spring here in Oz, and all that fresh air and sunshine makes me want to drive off into the unknown.
    I am more of a lurker here than a commenter, but I find all the comments really interesting, and one day I will have something good (and useful!) to say, I hope.

  85. honeybeenicki says:

    I’m a bit late on this, but I was sick all weekend 🙁

    Anyway, I’m 25 and have been married for almost 3 years and have been with my husband for 6. I have 2 awesome, fantastic, terrific stepkids that I love as if they were my own. They are 11 and almost 14 and the best thing in my life. I live in Wisconsin, the land of Packers, Badgers and cheese. I also have 2 beautiful English Bulldogs (Emma and Justy), 2 cats (Rayne and Ares), 2 rats (Merlin and Jiminy), a bearded dragon (Mushu) and a hedgehog (Sophie).

    I have a Masters Degree in Criminal behavior from Tiffin University in Ohio and just graduated last December, so I am still adjusting to having this weird thing called free time. I even took on a second job just to not have so much free time.

  86. wendyblueeyes says:

    Wendy from the western suburbs of NJ, where it is TOTALLY different than what’s portrayed on TV. Although if you’re from Essex County, the Sopranos is pretty much accurate, and Jersey Shore was filmed in Sleazeside, 2 places I wouldn’t be caught dead. The rest of the state is normal. Married almost 40 years, 2 kids, 1 dog, 2 cats. I live next to a nature perserve. Hobbies are gardening (although all I do is feed the marauding deer, racoons, possums and groundhogs), reading, and DIY projects around the house. It was so nice to see a little something about the regular posters.

  87. Anthony – 25(m) – from Upstate NY. I do fractography which is the study of fracture surfaces which goes hand in hand with general failure mode analysis…. so kind of like a lamer “CSI” forensic job…but spend most of my free time playing guitar in my band Underwater Tiger…our album is due out later this fall and a single / music video will be out in a few weeks! (w00t?)

    1. I should probably explain the handle too – it’s a derivation of my nickname, Budj – it has nothing to do with anything really…more than likely a byproduct of being one of 4 brothers and it just evolved into that over my childhood. Many people have asked me if it has anything to do with budging in lines (hence the motivation for using Budjer here) which sounds really silly and makes me seem inconsiderate.

      I prefer a nick name with mysterious origins over that any day.

  88. Shadowflash1522 says:

    Wow, I am WAY late to this thread 🙂

    Heyo, I’m Rachel. I’m a 21-year-old female from Cleveland, OH. I work in software R&D and I sneak in DW breaks during testing phases. I’m majoring in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Philosophy.

    Right now I have no time for a relationship, serious or otherwise. I know a lot of people say that, but seriously, I’m co-oping my way through private college (for those of you who don’t know, that means I alternate work/study semesters and take 5 years to graduate with my bachelor’s). On the bright side, I’m guaranteed a job until I graduate but on the down side I don’t spend more than 3-4 months in the same place before moving on. By the time I meet someone and get to know them, I have to move back to the other place. I’m also a very “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” person. It can be frustrating.

    I don’t just jump into friendships or relationships, I like to take things slow. I rank way high on the introvert scale but I’m also very opinionated and I love debating. My favorite color is green, and my favorite sport is Devil’s Advocate.

    1. Another northeast Ohio-er! 🙂

  89. Responding a bit late but oh well…

    I’m 27 and live in the NW burbs of Chicago with my dog, who is more like a child. I work as a medical receptionist. I don’t have too many hobbies; I’m an avid reader, I love movies, going out to eat, golf, and being with friends. No man in my life and I’m okay with that. It’ll happen when the time’s right.

    I just want to say how much I love this website. I love the advice and reading everyone’s comments. It’s so great to see so many commonalities and to just get the feeling that what you’re feeling or going through, guess what, you’re not alone!! Thanks everyone!!

    1. Oh I also wanted to explain my “name”. It’s a mix of two nicknames my dad calls me. “Sunshine” or “SS” for short and “Boo Kiddy”. No idear where boo kiddy came from but I love it.

  90. Late too! I had an astonishly refreshing weekend in which I never turned on a computer!

    So, hello everyone! I’m Virginia, I live in New York (Manhattan), but I’m originally from North Carolina. (Can we throw some more states in there??) I’m 25 years old and moved to NYC on a whim (I had never visited the city before) after my engagement ended nearly 3 years ago. Since then, I’ve bounced around a few jobs trying to find something (permanent, not temporary) that allows me to have some insurance and salary. I ‘ve been in an administrative-type role for about 2 years, but I’m itching to move on and get into the event/wedding planning industry that I’ve been pining for for quite some time!

    I actually wrote a letter to Wendy when she was over at The Frisky and I’ve followed religiously ever since!

  91. Better late than never, eh?

    Hi! I live Seattle…born and raised in the greater Seattle area. I work at a non-profit doing grant and budget management. My boyfriend of 4 years and I have a house outside the city that we are remodeling…a lot of work but a lot of fun too. The sunsets and quiet area make my hour + long commute a little less painful. 🙂 We have a dog named Belle, a cat named Spook and 4 chickens who are nameless. I turned 30 earlier this year and set out on a quest to do 30 things this year. So far I’ve been skydiving, climbed Mount St Helens, competed in a triathlon, and attended a local tulip festival among other things. I’ve been blogging about it and that has been fun as I used to really love writing but hardly do it anymore. If you’re curious: http://www.thirty-30-adventure.blogspot.com. (Shameless, I know.)

    I started reading DW when Wendy was over at TF and have been following the new DW since it started…I only commented for the first time last week so I kind of feel like a DW stalker! Checking in here is one of my favorite breaks at work. 🙂 I enjoy reading, biking, cooking/baking, wine, skiing, burts bees, hiking, cupcakes and people watching.

  92. Hi All,
    I’m in Cleveland as well – I’ve been here about 18 months. I am 33, feel like I’m in my late 20s somewhere, and work as a researcher. I read a lot, spend too much time surfing the internets, and I’m engaged to me married. I love the DW community – this is one of the few websites I visit where I read the comments as often as the posts…

  93. Hi! I’m from Detroit and found Wendy through The Frisky. I’m 44, work as an executive assistant, am (trying) to write a memoir, and am actually writing poetry which I post on my blog, The View of the TEM (www.viewofthetem.blogspot.com). I’m studying writing with a local arts league and have just begun reading my work locally – and that’s a blast. I have three cats (all rescues), two divorces (and I’m not dedicated to remaining single ’cause I don’t do well in captivity), and one amazing side gig as a volunteer with a service that reads for the blind. I have to say that I love this site and the comments. There’s lots of love, laughter, and sound advice available here and that’s a true treasure.

  94. I’m a semi-lurker and a rare commenter. This was a really cool idea. I’ve enjoyed reading about all of you!

    I turned 30 last month (eeek!), but am the happiest I have ever been in my adult life… so 30 doesn’t have to be so bad. I “feel” about 27. And am usually told I look younger.

    I think a lot of you on here seem to have very cool jobs and admit to being a little bit envious. But, I also believe that the simple things in life are the things that bring me the most joy… so I don’t want to worry about what I don’t have. While my job isn’t very lucrative, I am really thankful to have it. I work for a non-profit mental health agency as an “accounts receivable coordinator”. I like to see the good we do for the community and that I can be a small part of it. I do have a bachelor’s degree in sociology, but upon graduating as a 21 year old didn’t really have a clue what to do next. Hmm… still don’t! So, here I am!

    I have recently started a relationship with who I am extremely confident is “the one”. For a while, I was in a bitter place where I started to believe that true love didn’t exist. But, I have never felt so healthy in a relationship. It also helps that he is someone who I have been friends with for 10 years (which I almost wrote into Wendy about dating a friend… but I went with my gut and it has worked beautifully!). I trust him… a brand new concept for me! And as we journey into conversations about us in the “future”, there is not a single cell in my body that is afraid. I know he’s right for me. Having been through both the most dysfunctional relationship and many hopeless days as a single girl… I just feel really lucky & ecstatic! I know someday we’re going to get married and (with any luck… I know the clock’s a tickin’) he’ll be the Dad of my child(ren). And I know that he’ll be that person because he is the person I want to be with… not just because I feel the need to meet some society standard of marriage & kids. Wonderful feeling!

    I live with my longtime best friend and her (stinky) dog in a tiny (but very homey) apartment in rural town in Massachusetts. I love cats, but since the dog is not cat friendly, I can’t currently have one. I do get to be step-mommy to my boyfriend’s two kitties though. And he tells me there has been recent talk of “adoption” among them. Which made my heart melt with all of its adorableness.

    I love books and the outdoors. I tried white water rafting for the first time this summer. And then played in waterfalls the next day. And hiked a mountain after that. It was the most adventurous/active vacation in my life. I hope to do more of that in my life 🙂

    Thanks for reading if you did!

  95. XanderTaylor says:

    I’m a 47 year old female. I don’t have an awesome boyfriend or girlfriend. I was married to the very 1st guy I dated for 20 years, divorced going on 7; single for the last 2 years by choice. 2 adult children & 1 grandchild. Love my grandchild, but my kids are thorns in my side. Really wish they would move out & get their own lives. Those 2 have had sooo many issues that their isn’t a whole lot I don’t have experience with from teen pregnancy to addiction & rehab. I love them but give me a break! I lived completely alone for 1 year & loved it – sigh, one day….. Why won’t they leave???? I used to think BitterGayMark was, well, bitter, but some days I think I could give him a run for his money! I really enjoy this sight & am in wonderment sometimes as to the positive feedback given to those who really need it. Keep up the good work Wendy & all of the posters as well!

  96. I am 38 but I always felt 17 until my son’s crib got put together. I am raising him to be the perfect husband for some lucky woman/man. I am finalizing my second divorce…this one is much easier then the first. I kicked him to the curb b/c he was/is a crap father. I am glad I MOA so my son didn’t learn how to be a crap dad. I met my bf on an online dating website after chatting with a ton of creeps. I truly believe we show people our worth and how to treat us.

  97. I’m a 25, but probably still feel 23. I live on the East Coast of Canada. It drives me nuts when I have to explain to people that yes, there are provinces further east of Quebec. I try to explain that I live even more east than Montreal, and some people just don’t believe me.

    I am a french Canadian (there are lots of us outside of Quebec – 1 mil.) and grew up a 20 minute drive from the beach (in Canada we measure distance by time it takes to drive there!). I went to university and got a Liberal Arts degree in Criminology and Sociology. I have been in Scouts all my life, and truly believe that it has made me who I am.

    Today I work as an assistant director for a literary festival. We are small potatoes compared to the ones held in bigger cities – but we did manage to snag Margaret Atwood last year 🙂

    Other than Scout and community related events, I like to canoe, mountain bike, read, and waste an insane amount of time on the internets. I live with my boyfriend of 2 years, we have no fur kids, or real kids.

  98. Mllejaguar says:

    Hello, eh!
    I’m also a DW addict, followed over from TF. I rarely comment in written form, but often scare the kitties by responding out loud. This thread is such an awesome idea, really great to get to know all of you & to understand where you’re coming from. Yes, I’m late to this thread, but I have a no internet on weekends policy. My nickname is French for Miss Jaguar which an old FWB gave me, based on one of my 2 tats, but you can call me Kat.
    I have recently returned to the ultra small town in the country where I grew up, about an hour south of Montreal, Canada and spitting distance from the VT border. I turned 40 this year, and have suffered no serious side effects. 3 yrs ago, I reconnected with a high school boyfriend after 20 years & 3 days after I closed on the house in the country that I bought with my mother (divided so she has her own apt that will allow her to live independently when she retires from teaching next year). Boyfriend & I had exactly 87 days to figure out if we were each others’ “one” before embarking on a LDR. He moved out here a year ago. We aren’t married, and don’t really plan to, but are fully committed to each other and intend to be cynical old people together. We share the house with 2 Bengal cats (one’s neurotic, the other’s an a$$hole) & 1 big silly black dog. I currently am self employed in the music biz, work from home & often in my jammies.
    Now for the tough stuff that only about 3 people know all about *deep breath*:
    My father is an emotionally abusive alcoholic, son of an alcoholic. The first time he left I was around 14 & the last time I saw him I was 17. It is my understanding that he is still alive, but I have no interest in reconnecting or forgiving. As far as I’m concerned he died years ago, it’s just that no one has put in a headstone yet. My mother is a strong, hardworking woman. She worked 7 days a week to keep the 2 of us afloat, and still found the time to teach me long division, how to change a tire and generally how to be a self sufficient independent woman. She’s my biggest feminist influence.
    I moved in with a guy at 19, got pregnant at 20. I lost the baby 26 wks in, to Dandy Walker syndrome, a genetic brain formation disorder. I’ve never entirely gotten over it, and decided at that time that I would never be pregnant again. The relationship did not survive and I moved on. Not long enough after, I met a guy that was –on paper- exactly the kind of guy that I should marry, so I pursued the relationship and we eventually moved in together. He was madly in love with me, unfortunately, I was only in love with the concept of him. He moved out 3 months later. It was very messy, and I hurt him terribly. I’m very sorry for that.
    After him, and as my career got more demanding, I had a succession of no-strings relationships. Then, the morning after my 30th birthday, looking over at the sleeping FWB that had come over to wish me a happy birthday, I had an epiphany: merely satisfying my physical needs was no longer satisfactory! I decided then and there not to get physical with anyone else unless I was also attracted to them intellectually or emotionally – basically someone with the real potential of becoming a life partner. 30 year old me felt this was a very smart and mature thing to do, and it probably was. I met lots men, dated some, but stuck to the plan: no sex with anyone with no long term potential. There was really only one flaw in the plan…I ended up being celibate for 7 yrs!!! Yes, it was a very hard thing for a sexually adventurous woman to do. No, I don’t hate sex. Really no. I learned a hell of a lot about myself, and what’s important to me in a relationship. I got rid of lots of baggage. I grew up. Most importantly, I came out of it prepared to share my heart, mind AND body with someone. For the record, the guy that ended up being my “second first” is the guy I share my life with now and it’s the best and strongest relationship I’ve ever been in. Admittedly, this course of action is not for everyone.
    My apologies for the length of this post, but if my experiences can help just one person, it’ll be worth it.

    1. Good to know you a little better, Kat!

  99. Hi, I am a little late in doing this but hopefully several of you may check it out again. I am Jordana otherwise known as “JJ” when I comment sometimes. I just turned 29 back in August, I graduated from Penn State in Abington, near Philadelphia in May of 2010. My BA is in Psychological and Social Sciences. I love coming on this site on a daily basis though I do not always comment. I just moved about an hour from Pittsburgh and I just started working again this week after two months of searching.

    I am originally from the Dominican Republic and moved to the states in 1987, living in Florida and then now PA. Eventually, I want to pursue my Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology.

  100. I am a 29 year old reactor control operator from South Floridra. I love to travel and am currently single but am dating to find the next guy for me. I work rotating shift work so it is tough for many activities outside of work. I am a class sponsor for my sister’s kindergarten class and help out there occasionally. I like to go to the beach on my days off, especially in the Fall, Winter, and Spring when most people are burried in snow. I also support my local high school robotics team. There are very few girls but I encourage them to pursue engineering like I did. I graduated college in 2005 with a degree in mechanical engineering. My long term goal is to be a nuclear plant procedure writer to utilize my skills as a engineer, smarts in english, and nuclear plant operating experience.

Leave a Reply to Lindsey Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *