Comments:
I only have 8,000 characters for 25 yrs? Ah, well, will try to give you the brief version. For many years I worked in child welfare and working with people with disabilities as a counselor. I got married in 1995 and divorced in 2004. In 2001, I got my black belt in Tae Kwon Do. In 2002, I moved to Belize, Central America. I can't really relate all the experiences I have had since moving here, but I will say I think I have found my forever home. If you want to read a little bit more about my life in Belize, you can go to this link: http://www.expatbelize.com/meet-the-experts.html
For about 6 years I taught English at Muffles Junior College in Orange Walk Town. In Aug, 2009 I got a job as School Counselor at Corozal Junior College in the same town where I live. I also teach some psychology classes there. One of my primary other activities is teaching self-defense all over the nation of Belize. I mostly teach women and girls, but have started teaching street safety and defense against weapons (gun, knife, machete) to men/boys. To date I have taught over 700 women and girls and about 20 men and boys self-defense. I work a lot with the Women's Dept to do the courses, school, private groups and have self-defense clubs at the schools where I teach/counsel. I've written articles about domestic violence, rape, personal safety for national newspapers. I have also appeared on radio and tv programs about safety, self-defense, and preventing sexual assault. I wrote safety based public service announcements which have aired on national radio stations. I participate as much as I can in activities and activism for many issues. I'm part of environmental clubs in the community and at school. I still play volleyball and basketball, even a little football (soccer in the US). I love supporting my school's athletic teams and provide first aid for our them. When I do have some spare time, I love to walk my dogs along the sea front every night and have been called many times "the dog whisperer of Corozal". Belizeans aren't used to seeing someone walking dogs much less 5 at once. I love reading in my hammock on my veranda surrounded by orchids, ginger, and palms. I recently started writing poetry in earnest and post lots of them on Facebook and have just started posted some of them on this blog: http://shethingsd.blogspot.com/
Other interests include anything outdoors related: swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, boating, motorcycling, camping, fishing, hiking, running thru the rainforest, visiting historical sites (Mayan ruins are a favorite), having intelligent conversation, helping others, dancing, and laughing... Wow! And still over 5,000 characters remain...
