Questionnaire.
Questionnaire

1. What brought you to Miami? Are you a Miami native or a transplant?

I've always been a city girl, but I am definitely not a native to Miami. I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. Before moving here for college, I had only been to the area with my parents for vacationing purposes all of twice in my life. Colleges in Miami have a tendency to be seen as party schools, but really I just loved the memories I had here, running along the beach and enjoying the sites. Who wouldn't want to move here? So, after college, I stayed, found a job at a local hospital and tried to make a life for myself. It had it's difficult moments, but I always felt that it was a worthy experience, even though I was so far away from my parents. I don't call them everyday like I used to that first month in college, but we do have some nice conversations on weekends, or at least when they are not vacationing in Boca.

2. Describe your family life growing up.

I could never complain about that. Not really. Being an only child, I gained both of my parents attention in equal portions. They were always supportive in everything that I wanted to do or attempt to. Always loving and always there for me. They were like the perfect yin and yang. Don't get me wrong, they did bicker and argue just like any other married couple, but they always found peace with one another before they went to bed. They always had a way of knowing just what the other person needed out of the other. Both sides made compromise upon compromise without really giving up anything, including who they were and what they really needed. Their relationship was something that I strove to gain but found myself unable to do so. I don't know if it was me, him, or just everything in between. Either way, none of that matters now. I'm just glad that my own parents were able to maintain some sort of balance and happiness. I will find my own way. Maybe theirs just isn't for everyone.

3. Did you go to public or private school, or were you home taught? Did you graduate, pursue a higher education or blow it off to work at McDonald's?

I started out in private school. My parents were determined to put me in the best schools that money could buy. They wanted what was best for me and believed that somehow, that was one of those things that would also protect me from the outside world. From all that 'crazy teenage' whatever. But that was short lived. By the time I was in middle school, I had bothered my parents countless times about the life experiences I could gain in public school. About how it was safe and how I wasn't just like everyone else and how they had taught me right. Not that they listened to me really, but they understood that I didn't care for the school uniform policy and was really just complaining about it all. The moment there was a scandal regarding one of the teachers and a few students, I was promptly pulled and put into public school. I worked hard and believed in my own education. I really wasn't sure what I was going to do, or at least not completely until I was in college. But as soon as I made up my mind, everything just went from there. After gaining my bachelor's degree in nursing I met my husband. Then, while I was married, I chose to take some online courses as well as a few night classes and found myself moving on up to being the nurse practitioner that I am today.

4. What is your occupation and what do you like or dislike about it?

I've been in the nursing profession for a good twenty years. Emergency medicine had always fascinated me. Not knowing what was going to come in the door and how that just had your adrenaline pumping when it did. Don't get me wrong, there were more regular hours and boring moments than exciting ones, but they were always worth it. It did well to help me hone my own skills as a nurse. But it's not easy to do the same thing day in or out for so many years. You need a change. So, I was put on rotation as a floating nurse. It was then that I realized that I wanted to go back to school. To become a nurse practitioner. It's nice to get to know some of your patients on a regular basis. Right now my specialty is obstetrics and gynecology, and yes, I hear a lot of bad jokes on that end. But who wouldn't enjoy helping women through pregnancy and delivery? The downside tends to be some of the things you find along the way.

5. What are some of your bad habits, hobbies, things you like to do when you're bored, etc.?

Bad habits? I'm a tapper, I guess is what you could call it. Someone that taps their finger nails on the table or desk. I click pens repeatedly. I don't even realized that I'm doing it most of the time. My mind is just somewhere else and it just kind of happens. I also have a tendency to talk with my hands, if that makes sense. And I'm a lip biter. I'm not sure if those are really nervous ticks or bad habits, but that's all that I can think of really. That and I laugh at the worst times. Not at others, but if something bad happens to me, I just laugh it off before it all sinks in. I've gained a few crazy looks for that one. Oh, and I have noticed that I keep feeling like I lost my wedding ring and toying with that finger, but that's more so because I haven't been wearing it for a few months. If I'm not with him and especially now with the divorce, I shouldn't wear it right?

I do have a comic book collection. Yes, I know, I was a geek once, and to some point probably still am. They are all hid in storage somewhere at the moment. I also love art, especially newer artists. Not sculptures or anything like that but actual paintings. I also have a wonderful collection of medical books but that kind of goes with the territory right? When I'm bored I just kind of love to curl up to a good book, watch a movie, or go to a museum. It's soothing and I need a little more serenity in my life.

6. Where are you in your life right now? Are you married with children? Are you content or restless?

My life right now is a little bit chaotic, but isn't that life, really? I am no different than millions of other people in the world that go about life doing what they feel they need to, want to or whatever else to get by. To live their life to the fullest means possible. To make good decisions and bad ones and wait to see how they all turn out. I can't say that my failed marriage was completely a bad decision. I gained a daughter out of it and some good memories, but with the good came the bad. With high expectations also came failures. Marcus and I have been separated for a year, and I've finally decided I want to move on from this point in my life. I want that sense of normalcy. I want to be able to go home and have that life where I'm not worried I'm going to get that call or someone coming to my door to tell me that my worst fears had come to life. To not know what to expect by not receiving that call or that text when he said he would. To worry that any day that I'm at work, I will find him there yet again, not to visit but to be seen. Most of my marriage I've been restless, as I am now, but I'm on my way to content. As soon as everything is done and finalized, I will find a way to be content.