Raised in an academic environment, professors for parents, in Mansfield Center, Connecticut. Moved a few places and back after high school. Three years later went to Yale for bachelor's and master's in Linguistics; graduated top of the class; magna cum laude for the college as a whole. While there, played ice hockey very badly; taught and encouraged (with monitoring and candy rewards!) undergrads how to recycle; changed the vegetarian meal plan to a very modern, tasty, and healthy diet for all of Yale (that 's what happens when you complain so much about the crappy diet that the cafeteria worker tells you to go talk to the head chef when he is in the dining hall); oh, and "scored" the assist on the only goal we ever got in the Ivy League, at Harvard, in my ten seconds on the field ) .
Went to University of Connecticut for linguistics, full scholarship. Won both the National Science Foundation fellowship and the Jacob S Javitz Fellowship in the Arts (probably the only person to ever do that). Suffered from depression and dropped out after two years, graduating after oral exams with another master's.
Went to Germany for a two month intensive German class (that, while excruciatingly depressed; and playing ice hockey for a year under a captain who wanted me to quit; are the hardest things I have ever done. Don't underestimate the extreme emotional fortitude they took), and stayed for five years. Lived in an adorable village in the South for a year and a half, and Berlin for four years. That doesn't add up because for a half year I lived between both. Taught English for a living.
Moved to Ireland to be a telephone agent in Hertz Europe-- Germany (what fun to defang those angry Germans with American hospitality-- and how much more angry they would have been had they known I was not German!); ran the department after about 8 months, during which time I had instigated and helped implement many improvements in agents lives; for instance going from a six month backlog and harried agents with programs, to 24 hour turnaround and relaxed agents doing their nails using one program, as well as with an Internet cafe, gym, doctor on site, and healthy foods in vending machines (it is amazing what you can get done when, from the lowest rung, you walk up to the American CEO of an all-Irish company, say "I have been wanting to meet you" in an American accent, and reach out your hand to shake).
Incurred a traumatic brain injury from domestic abuse in 2001, leaving me just as intelligent, creative, normal, and interesting as before, but taking away my memory of grad school, math ability, carefree existence of travel and choices, and some of my energy; and adding some pain. Please do not let this scare you off. I walk, talk, appear, and sing, as I always did; which would mean I still can't sing . I am less cute than I was 20 years ago but I suspect that is normal ! I think I show off about the rest to make up for this. Please erase any misconceptions or hesitations you may have about what a head injury does to a person, and just meet me if you are in my area!
Moved in 2001 to the awesome East Village of Manhattan; once evicted, to the most crime-ridden part of Brooklyn; next, to a boring but safe neighborhood across the Hudson from Manhattan. Founded and run a now 55,000 member 'website' about primarily the care of pet rats and mice, with a library, nursery, medical clinic, disability support , community center, mentor program, and complex team running all of it (ask me!); through the medium of a Facebook and satellite groups -- by accident.
Moved back to Mansfield Center January 20, after 25 years away; always hated the city (except Berlin and the East Village) and parents are 84, and they live on the lake I grew up... practically in. Three miles is the perfect distance.
Wildly happily engaged, though we will never be able to get married unless there is Medicare for All because Diabetes more than takes up the salary of two jobs so it will not support a second person.