Occupation: Semi-retired Graphic Designer and a “wanna-be” artist
Location: Born in Seattle, Washington, but have lived and loved in Laguna Beach, California for 42 years.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor and Why: Hagen-Daz Coffee Ice Cream. I will eat the whole pint in one blissful splurge. I call it “wiggle food”, cuz I wiggle with joy when I eat it!
Boy, this is a tough one, since I have so many!
#1 – Making sure my elderly parents are well looked after, in their own home of 42 years, not in assisted living. Mom is confined to a wheelchair and Dad suffers from late stage Alzheimer’s Disease. It can be very stressful at times, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
#2 – My family, I mean ALL of my extended family, which also includes all of my friends, and of course my fur-babies, too! At the moment two Siamese cats “own” me.
#3 – Planning my retirement, which is to travel the world. And I do mean the world! Great Wall of China, the Pyramids, the Great Barrier Reef, New Zealand, Australia, Bali, you name it!!!
#4 – Sorry but HAD to put a 4th one down…I love nature, the earth and ALL the animals that co-habitat here. But, I adore Dolphins….I actually got to swim with Dolphins a few years back and have even kissed one!
One of my best friends, Marie Curry, volunteered with Great Shape the previous year. When she returned home from Jamaica, she was so full of bliss, contentment, love, and smiling all the time. She told me it was the best, most fulfilling and giving experience of her life. I must admit that I was a little envious of her joy…and I wanted to feel that way too! So, I volunteered! I had never taught an art class in my life, and was so anxious and worried that I’d mess up somehow. But guess what? I can teach and love at the same time!!!!
Oh my, I have 3! The first treasured experience was on the first day at Boscobel Primary School. I was in the hallway, waiting for our first class to begin, when a beautiful little boy ran up to me and gave me my first BIG HUG, (the first of many) and grinning ear to ear, said “Welcome to Boscobel and Jamaica!”
The second was when we went shopping at a local flea market. I barely heard this soft high voice calling from behind me, “Missy Suzanne, Missy Suzanne!” I turned around and another little boy from Boscobel school ran up to me, hugged me and thanked me for “THE ART.”
The third best moment was attending a baby sea turtles hatch. Such determined little fellas! I was in awe of Mother Nature that evening…and still am!
I have to be honest here…I did have some personality conflicts with some fellow volunteers, but that’s to be expected. Not everyone can love everyone! That’s what makes us, as humans, interesting and unique. That and having to get up before the sun came up!! Hello…I’m basically not a morning person. Tee-hee!
Unfortunately, no, didn’t have the guts!
Due to my father’s Alzheimer’s and high medical bills, (I broke my arm a few months ago with NO MEDICAL INSURANCE!) Finances are really tough right now, but I will do my best to be there for the second week. I am envisioning being there in my mind and will do whatever I can to “feel the love” again!
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| Michaela |