Jamie Owen Heijmans

Moved out to Washington State in 2000. Divorced in 2004. I was lucky enough to find a spot on the administrative team at a national lab in 2001. Even after 7 years, it continues to be a thoroughly fascinating place to work. A tad ironic that I now work at a scientific research facility when in high school I did all I could to avoid any science classes whatsoever. If I remember correctly, we only had 1 required science credit, so I took earth science in jr high to get it out of the way. The only thing I retained from Mr. Carlson's class was how to make anise candy in a bunson burner. And now I am surrounded by geologists and chemical engineers every day.
HA! Go figure.

I sometimes regret that I graduated mid-term and missed the last half of senior year, though I'm not exactly sure what is was that I was missing, either. Truth be told, I never really felt that I "fit in" anywhere in high school. The fat, cross-eyed girl syndrome forced me to enhance my sense of humor, I suppose. Teenage angst- ain't it grand?

One story that I do remember was the trip our French class took to Canada. I've no idea what the heck I was thinking sneaking out of that hotel room to go joy riding with a perfect stranger in a foreign country! The eternal search for good herb, I suspect. Or perhaps a temporary case of severe cranial/rectal inversion. Damn lucky I didn't get hurt, that's for sure. No wonder Mrs. Brown quit teaching shortly thereafter- who in their right mind would put up with that sort of crap for a teacher's salary?!? Sheeesh!

I remember always hating history classes - all of them except Flom's. IMHO, the man had a brilliant mind and had a charismatic presentation style that made history come alive for me. He piqued my curiosity to explore the origins and evolution of matriarchial society that continues to fascinate me to this day. The Goddess lives!!!