Back to the Homepage Here are all of the places I've lived in throughout my thirty-odd years thus far... Nippon--the land of the rising sun. I was born here, on the island of Kyushu, in Sasebo. I obviously don't remember much about the first two years of my life here, but we did return to live there when I was about 13. Later, we lived in Yokota, Fussa-shi, on the outskirts of Tokyo and Tachikawa. I spent seven years here, until college began and I left for the United States. It's taken me years to shake the sense that I should avert my eyes because it's not polite, and to never count change in front of the vendor. I lived in Germany for a period of about five years, mostly in Baumholder. My parents later lived in Neu Ulm, Augsburg, Ottmarshausen, and Heidelberg. My brother was also born in this country. I learned German fluently when I was younger, although I didn't retain as much as I should have. Tanta und Gunter used to "borrow" me on the weekends and reward my language accomplishments with "Kinder" eggs...chocolate eggs with little put-together toys in them. My parents sent those to me again while I was in college as little trinkets with their care packages. Very earthy country. Rich foods, no-nonsense people. Sun, sand and a volcano. I definitely hold the most cherished memories of this place. I spent six years here, after Germany and before Japan the second time. This is a wonderfully vibrant, colorful country. Just keep a tight hold on your purse or wallet, otherwise it's liable to be snatched. The people here are poor, and the local Dons most definitely have a time-honored hold on the communities. I remember my father paying "security" money and American cigarettes so that our house was safe. Basically, we paid them not to rob us. But, that aside, the people are wonderfully charismatic. If I could revisit any place, this would be it. Land of sweet onions and wheat (at least east of the Cascades). The college years. I went to college here, in Walla Walla. I have generally good vibes about this state, although the eastern portion of it (where I lived) was a bit isolated at times. I didn't visit before I left for college, so when I flew into Walla2, I was shocked to see dry wheatfields instead of the greenery I'd always imagined. The Cascades mark a stark contrast on each side... Seattle was always a nice escape--I visited there when I performed with my college's Wind Ensemble and on Rugby trips. Land of sun and liberal kookiness. I moved there after finishing college up. I didn't have anywhere else in particular to be and I wanted to be with my college sweetheart. It's the most materialistic place I've ever experienced. It was amazing how my outlook about life changed. There were great things about it--the scenery, the laid-back approach to life, and the opportunities in the Silicon Valley. The Bay Area is a nice place to live, albeit expensive. Land of the Cheeseheads. Hence the Packer Page that I have on this site. Incidentally, I've received a lot of grief about that site. What can you do though, when both parents hail from Wisconsin? I moved there after deciding to leave teaching and a failed engagement behind. After shivering through a winter season, I decided that moving there was a grave error on my part. I'd visited relatives there once every few years while I was growing up, but it didn't have the same feel as what I expected a permanent "home" to have. I suppose I'd hoped to claim some sort of ownership on a place, finally. Great cheese curds, though. Our nation's capital. I actually like DC, although I'd heard so many bad things about it. Primarily from people in Wisconsin, come to think of it. There are a lot of great cultural and historical sights here, lots to see and do. As long as you're not stupid and travel alone at night in bad neighborhoods, you're safe. But then again, isn't that true for every city in the world? I lived in SE DC, infamous for its crime. I lived in a neighborhood about six blocks from the Capitol Building--that meant that the policing was a little more obvious. Otherwise, it's a beautiful city, and I love it here. Virginia is for lovers. And for G. Gordon Liddy. Beautiful state. Technically, it's part of the South. The values tend to be traditional, which I like. They do tend to view "others" with some animosity, however. How they define that varies from county to county, which can be a bit disconcerting. The military plays some part in this...USMC HQ, Quantico, Andrews, and Fort Belvoir are just a few of the installations here, not including the Pentagon, which I could see out of my backyard (if that's what a 10X12 inch slab of cement and a couple of pathetic bushes can qualify as). DC is only minutes away and there was never a lack of things to do. I'm in Pennsylvania now, near Pittsburgh. Work allows me to travel cross-country (California, mostly) and even overseas a few times a year, so I do get to escape from the sheltered enclaves of Pittsburgh. The areas surrounding Pittsburgh are unique from other suburbs. Every area has a distinct "feel" and sense of community. We're living near the Cranberry area, which holds a lot of suburban and some older farming families. We just bought our first house and I'm excited about living here now! Back to "About Me" pages