All about me: A to Z

Last year I signed up for Cathy Zielske’s “Me: The Abridged Version” class over at Big Picture Classes.

The class was based on the book "Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life," by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. I started reading the book and loved the concept. Basically, Amy tells the story of her life by using each letter of the alphabet and structured her book like an encyclopedia with cross referencing, etc.

I loved the idea of the class, but for some reason I never managed to actually make the pages/book that Cathy envisioned for the class. I did all the journaling, which is now just sort of collecting dust in a Word file on my laptop.

I want to give myself a kick in the pants. So starting today I’m going to dedicate my Wednesday to sharing a little bit about myself Amy Krouse Rosenthal style … from A to Z.

Airports. Since I travel. A Lot. I spend countless hours in airports around the globe. There is something soothing about no matter where you are in the world most airports are pretty much the same. I can almost always find a Starbucks. The chairs are always ugly and uncomfortable. And no matter how much they charge for the food, it’s always “airport” food … if you know what I mean. Bleh.  Even if the food isn’t so great, I find comfort in airports. Being in an airport tells me I’m just a flight away from being home and home is where I always long to be. See also Airplanes, Home and Travel.

Airplanes. I hate flying. I’m actually terrified of flying. I didn’t fly on my first airplane until I was 18 years old and headed to Army Basic Training. The second time I boarded a plane was at the Army’s Airborne School and I jumped out of it. Not really my idea of fun. With such a huge fear of airplanes and flying, it always surprises people when I tell them that I travel extensively for a living. I’m on the road and in airplanes nearly half my life. Two to three times a month I board a flight; and each and every time I have the same anxiety I had 18 years ago when I took my first plane trip. It doesn’t get any easier for me.  See also Airports and Travel.

Army. There was a moment when I was 18 years old that I decided I needed a change. I walked into an Army recruiter’s office and started what would be a 14 year journey. I spent four years on active duty and another 10 in the Army Reserves; those 14 years were interesting to say the least. I saw the world, from Orlando to Budapest and Arizona to Iceland, and went place and did things I never thought possible. I jumped out of an airplane for heaven’s sake. It was an adventure, a grand one; I wouldn’t trade it for all the money in the world. I gained disciple that has helped me every day since I left the army. I learned how to be a part of a team, an essential skill when working in corporate America. I learned how to take care of myself and be on my own, which didn’t come naturally to as I was used to being surround by a large, ever meddling family. I learned serving something greater than yourself can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.  Any success I have these days can be directly related to who the Army molded me into.