Comments:
Right after high school I went to both K-State and KU (of course this was just for keg parties!) but attended WSU. After several years of hoping one of my electives would inspire me I chose Spanish as it seemed I had accrued enough credits in the process of looking for something else. During college I had two stints in Mexico—one studying abroad during the summer of 92, and the latter teaching English on a scholarship from the Kellogg’s foundation. These two instances reinforced not only my ability to speak Spanish, but my confidence I would and could find my path.
My path eventually led me to Cessna where I held the position of International Order Interpreter. My territory enveloped all of Mexico, Central and South America along with the Caribbean islands. I sold spares for aircraft but felt out of place doing so. I decided to take ground school and learn a little more about the product. I earned my pilot’s license and felt poised for greater things. After being passed over for promotions internally, I accepted an offer from an affiliated, independent Cessna repair station in South Florida in October of 1997.
Ironically, I met my wife of 8 years during the first year down here. She is originally from Ohio, but had also moved down here from upper-state New York by herself just two weeks before I had done the same. We both worked at the repair station until she went back to school and I had to leave after the effects of September 11th eventually corroded the business and we were sold. I took an offer for the Materials Manager position with a jet charter company; speak my Spanish these days only to a handful of mechanics. We have a beautiful daughter, Grace, 5 and a very funny boy, Sam, 3 who have become my second best friends after my wife.
We bought a home in 2002 and watched the price double within a couple years. I made some improvements (some advised and some ill-advised) and have since the 2008/2009 financial crisis seen the price drop to below what I owe. However, I enjoy the South Florida lifestyle of swimming and spending time at the beach. In the 12 years I’ve been away from Kansas the farthest I’ve lived from the ocean has been a mile. I love the tropical breeze in the summertime and lying in my hammock under my palm trees. I only wish I could be closer to my Kansas family. Sometimes I wish I could click a pair of those ruby red shoes . . .
