It's all about me! Tagged, I'm it!

A while back I was tagged by Connie to name seven (7) things you didn't know about me. I've been reading what every one has been writing and I will say that I find it interesting. So having given some thought to this list, here goes:

1) I'm not afraid to travel alone. One summer, I took off to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia for two (2) weeks by car. I camped the whole time. The following year, I went across Canada, by car, to Alberta in order to photograph the Calgary Stampede. I camped once again. On my way back, I took the US route and stayed in Hotels. For some reason I did not feel safe. I made a stop in Chicago to buy photography equipment.

2) I studied Professional photography at Dawson College in Montreal.

I love photography, my specialty being portraiture and photo journalism. My apartment in Montreal was often turned into a darkroom. I worked mainly in black and white. It was at the suggestion of my good buddy Philip Carpenter, who encouraged me to apply for a press pass, that I was able to do so much at the Calgary Stampede. He finished his degree and studied communication at Concordia. He is presently a professional photographer for a large Montreal newspaper. This is a picture of my daughter at our wedding photographed by Philip. His work is amazing. I do hope to get back into the medium sometime soon.

3) In September 2001, I took a leave of absence from the Toronto Dominion Bank to finish my university degree in Psychology. I was a single mom on her own. To this day, I am proud that I was able to make it financially. Like all single moms I had day care, a car loan and other debts. It's really amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it!

4) I met my current husband on the Internet. I had written a small introduction paragraph on Yahoo personals on a Monday. On Wednesday, I was telling Marlene (my massage therapist) how it was really silly to try and find a mate. Being in school full-time with a four year old child, no income and not much time, how could I keep up? After my appointment I went to delete my profile and Stephen had written to me. We arranged to meet the following Saturday, November third (3), for coffee (it was my birthday). I saw him from afar in his car and said to myself "Oh another reject. That's okay, it's the last one". Well, I really don't know to this day what or who I saw in the car. When he walked towards me I said to my self "Wow, what a hunk! He is cute!

5) In August 2003 I left my employer (The Toronto Dominion Bank) to do a graduate degree in Philosophy and Religious thoughts. My husband thinks I'm on a quest! I won't argue with that. I'm always on a quest! ;o) I would like to do a PhD in psychology. Frankly, I don't know what I want to do when I grow up. I left a management job with an excellent income because it wasn't me anymore. Sometimes I think I'll never grow up!

6) Until a couple of years ago, I was one of those individuals who had taken off in a plane, yet never landed in one. I parachuted. To this day I still remember the experience and do hope to do it again.

7) I was in the Canadian Militia - The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada. I went as high as Sergeant, being the first female Sergeant in it's history (so I was told). I had been often asked to go as a commissioned officer, but that was not the experience I was looking for. As a soldier, I had the opportunity to throw lots of grenades, shoot bazookas etc... When I became a Master Corporal, being a woman in an infantry unit, it was not possible for me to lead in the infantry. So I obtained my military driver's licence and had an opportunity to drive huge vehicles (2 1/2 ton truck) etc. It was a chance for me to continue playing soldier in the field. .

That about covers it. Gosh this is turning into a long post. I won't be tagging anyone as it's been pretty much around the ring. However, if you have not had a chance to do this, tagged you're it!