About Me

Hello. My name is Mark Santos. I was born in Manila, Philippines on May 12, 1978. I understand tagalog, but I speak English all of the time. I also know some Spanish and a little Latin. I was 8 years old when I moved to New York City. I currently reside in Florida.

I am studying economics and sociology at Valparaiso University in Indiana, better known as 'Valpo.' Previously, I studied at Indian River Community College, one of the best community colleges in the country, and Fort Pierce Central, a most disreputable high school, where I played some football. Before Central, I attended Northport and the late C.A. Moore.

My most memorable accomplishments involve a thing hanging on my wall at home, a thing I've had to sign every year, and really heavy things that like lying on the floor that insist on being picked up anyway. Lately, I beat ADOM twice.

My future is indeterminate. Possibilities hopefully include something involving IT, or perhaps something in human services, but preferably something that requires a college degree. Recently, an opportunity at the New York Stock Exchange has presented itself.

My current hobbies include anything involving computers, playing the piano, playing pool, playing basketball, and lifting weights. Music I go out of my way to listen to include classical slash baroque, especially Mozart, and punk, especially Bad Religion and NOFX. Parties whose primary attraction is not consumption of alcoholic beverages are also of interest to me. I am interested in the performing and fine arts, but opportunities are becoming fewer and farther between than I prefer.

I have studied Dutch Baroque art, Rembrandt in particular, in depth. But my favorite artist of this period and all others is Vermeer in his realism. I have taken an art history class covering post-Renaissance Western art (my most rewarding class so far). I have also studied the English Romantic period, especially its poetry, and particularly Houseman's. Blake and Keats are my favorite poets. I also cannot help being influenced by my studies in American Transcendentalism, but this influence has been waning in recent years. My most recent readings are of Douglas Adams, Zelazny, and Tolkien. Talk radio is neat. My most recent 'academic' interest is concerned with symbolic interactionism, though I've noticed that deviance, or non-conformity, facinates me. I also possess not an insignificant amount of [practical] knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, as well as 'contemporary' exercise and diet theory.

My work experience includes teaching at the middle and high school levels, being a personal trainer, computer consulting, and clerical assisting. I hold certificates in business computer applications (word processing, spreadsheet, database, etc.) and in mental health technology. Non-profit organizations I have been involved with include Columbia Hospital, New Horizons (mental health and substance abuse), and Habitat for Humanity.

Return to Site Map