Hmm...  Well, perhaps this is a welcome to myself for finally joining the blogging community.  I anticipate that it will take me a little while to get used to this whole blogging and online publishing thing, so please bear with me while I learn my way around.
A little about myself:
I am from the wet and rainy part of Oregon.  While I miss the sunshine desperately during the winters there, I LOVE the green, green land.  Mountains, valleys, rivers, rainforests, beaches, and ocean cliffs -- this is a beautiful place to live!  I am close with my family and even manage to keep in yearly touch with most of my extended family -- quite a feat, since I have more than 26 first cousins.  In my immediate family, I have two younger brothers, my mom, and my stepdad.  My father passed away in 2002, and I miss him daily.  I love rottweilers, and miss my dog, Shila.  I have been voraciously reading for fun -- mostly fiction -- since my mother cleverly tricked me into enjoying books during 3rd grade.  I didn't used to think of myself as a creative person, but am learning that I am very creative in modes in which I am comfortable.  I am a social introvert.  I love to dance, especially casino salsa (not Vegas - Havana, Cuba).  I am also enjoying Krav Maga -- my new passion in the last year.  I enjoy conversations about spirituality, identity development, and what it means to be socially responsible.
The purpose of this blog:
In starting this blog, I hope to provide a forum for discussions with friends, family, and colleagues about some of my passions, starting with student affairs and making jewelry.  I also plan to use it as a networking tool. 
It took me a while to get started, and I need to thank a few people: BH for helping me think about it as something not scary, but fun to try (it's your turn now!); Patty for her help with the name; and my family and friends for their support of my craft-y endeavors. 
Well, let's see how this goes!
 
