Travel Tips

1. I was born in Cranford, New Jersey, USA.
2. I'm the youngest with 2 older brothers.
3. The first time I ever flew was when I was 12 and my parents took me and my brother to Walt Disney World. That was one of our 2 family vacations we went on during my childhood. My parents both worked hard and didn't have time to go away for extended periods of time.
4. I graduated from Montclair State College in New Jersey in 1989 (now an official university) with a BA (Bachelor of Arts) in Psychology.
5. My first independent travels occurred in 1987 when I completed a semester abroad at Worcester Polytechnic in Worcester, England. Obviously, I ended up becoming addicted to travel. Prior to the start of term, I backpacked around Europe (alone) for 3 weeks and did major travelling in the UK for the 4 months that I attended this polytech.
6. I worked in more jobs that I can count and have done everything from bank teller, housecleaner, retail, and working with adults with developmental disabilities.
7. I'm now a social worker, working with families with children who receive welfare, identifying any issues they might have like drug abuse or mental illness, referring them to appropriate treatment centers and providing emergency assistance to homeless families.
8. I received my Master's Degree in Social Work from Rutgers University located in New Brunswick, NJ in 2001. I've been a Licensed Social Worker since August 2001.
9. I've been a vegetarian since 1996 and a vegan since 2002 (see my vegan album for more information.) Many of my pages and comments on VT refer to this trait of mine since it is such an important part of my life. I hope not to offend anyone, just educate.
10. I met my husband in 1996 in a newspaper personal ad. We're very much alike yet have many opposing traits.
11. We celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary in 2002.
12. I love animals, all animals but currently only have a cat (duh!) rescued from a shelter.
13. I love walking and can walk for miles but feel more comfortable walking in a city than the countryside. Real, desolate country initimidates me, I'm used to seeing buildings, houses and loads of people. I think this is why I enjoy quiet so much.
14. My favorite television show is Eastenders, a British soap that I've been watching (off + on) since 1987.
15. I love all vegetables except for beets which I only ate in Russia because other vegetables were difficult to find.
16. I love all fruits except for raspberries and rhubarb.
17. My favorite movie is Trainspotting. Favorite film in a foreign language is Antonia's Line.
18. My wedding song was Perfect Day by Lou Reed. Favorite album of all times is Pink Floyd's, The Wall. Favorite song with a meaning is Sublime's, Date Rape Song. Favorite childhood song, Jersey Girl by Bruce Springsteen.
19. I have eclectic taste in music but do not like country and western or opera.
20. I'm considered weird but take that as a compliment. Following the norm can lead to boredom and being close-minded.
21. I'd rather have 2 or 3 close, reliable friends than 10 flighty ones.
22. I'm very opinionated and like a good debate.
23. I tend to be sarcastic and consider that a fault I'm trying to correct.
24. I'm very loyal.
25. I agree with the saying that "mean people suck."

26. I can't stand the smell of murdered animal flesh being cooked.
27. My favorite flower and scent is lilac.
28. My favorite color is purple.
29. The ocean brings me peace. I love the smell of it, the sound and the view. I hate the beach when it's crowded though and stay away during the summer.
30. I have a very strong sense of smell that often brings back good (and bad) memories.
31. My favorite cartoon character is Snoopy. No one is cooler.
32. My 2nd favorite fictional character is Winnie the Pooh. My husband is also known as Eeyore.
33. I accidentally got to see the Pope in Rome when I got lost in the Vatican looking for the toilet.
34. Southern accents (meaning from the USA) scare me. Always remind me of Deliverance. I admit I am prejudiced against people from the southern USA, too me, they sound a bit ignorant. I know they're not all ignorant, just sounds that way.
35. I love rainy days and a good book.
36. I read about 5-6 books a month.
37. I must read the Sunday New York Times every week unless travelling. I usually finish it by Monday.
38. My favorite food is popcorn.
39. I've been known to have dinners comprised of toast and popcorn (anyone familiar with Charlie Brown Thanksgiving??)
40. I collected pig-related items for years and still have a sizeable collection even after giving away most of them.
41. I've done many crazy things in my life that I now regret.
42. I've done many crazy things in my life that I don't regret and would do again.
43. The person who had the greatest impact of who I am today was my father who died 2 weeks after my 18th birthday.
44. I make great vegan chocolate chip cookies.
45. I love English gardens. The controlled chaos of that type of garden is very appealing to me.
46. My favorite car I ever owned was my 1994 red Volkswagon Golf. I currently drive a grey 2001 VW Passat.
47. I can't stand dressing up, skirts and dresses. I usually wear pants and sneakers (trainers.) I don't wear makeup, get my nails done, hate shopping-basically all those "girlie" things.
48. I love flannel sheets year-round.
49. I don't trust mainstream media, I listen and read it but try to also get information from other sources like public radio.
50. I have a rubberized bat in my car called Leroy that I've had in every car and has accompanied me on some of my travels since 1985.