A Little About Me

OK since I decided to start this off with my friend and I'm hoping people will comment and get involved in our little blog here, I thought it would be a good idea to know a little bit about us. Nancy should be writing her mini-bio right now. I told her to leave all the x-rated stuff out!! LOL
Anyway, I was born in Jersey City at the Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital on June 26, 1971 and given the name Carmen Lizandra Colon. My birthplace is now the home of "The Beacon"--very high priced living that I cannot afford! Well that's ok. I'm not bitter (Can you tell?) LOL Ok my mom's name is Gladys Maria Vazquez and my dad's Luis Angel Colon. They were both born on the beautiful isla of Puerto Rico!! My father is from San Lorenzo but now resides in Rio Grande. My mother was born in Juana Diaz but grew up in nearby Villalba. She passed away on June 26, 1997. Yes, that was my 26th birthday. I didn't celebrate for a while because it didn't feel like I was suppose to. Then I realized that my mom adored me and would not have wanted me to stop having birthdays. So I do celebrate now but on the low-key style. I miss her terribly. I know everyone always says their mom was the best but mine really was!! LOL
Anyway, I was an only child. My dad and mom seperated when I was about 6. He wasn't that big a part of my life when I was growing up--he had issues he was dealing with (alcoholism). However, after my mom passed away, I have to say he has really stepped up to the plate. He calls me weekly and lately he's been calling me and having people play "Mi Nina Bonita," a song he dedicated to me when I was born. I still have the old "78" vinyl record. LOL Anyway, he has made amends and I love him dearly! He's my daddy.
Ok what else can I say? I went to high school at St. Mary's also in Jersey City. What's up Rams?? Then I went to the all-girls (ohhhh) college at Convent Station NJ called College of St. Elizabeth. They have since changed the address to Morristown NJ. Good thing too because they were probably scaring away prospective students who like me, thought they were going to be brainwashed to become nuns!! LOL Those were the best 4 years of my life thus far!! I will never forget them and all the friends I met there--some are for life!! (Shout out to Gina, Marisol, Kathy!!) I then took a year off. My mom was very ill at this time. We got through it and I decided to go to Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison NJ and get my Master's in Clinical Psychology. I made one very good friend while I was there but the last time I saw her was at my mom's funeral I think. Those days are fuzzy. Her name was Pamela Abel and she later married Scott Fuller. The last I heard she had been working at Clara Maass Hospital. I would love to get in touch with her again so if anybody knows Pam, let her know I'm here. I wasn't very social at FDU. I have to admit I felt like I did not belong there but I did manage to graduate in 1996 and have my mom attend the biggest graduation ever!! I have to admit that's the only reason I stayed in the program--that and the talk Dr. Potash had with me when I told him I was leaving. I'm glad he made me stay.
I worked at Hudson County Welfare from about 1996 through 1998. I really miss those people but the pay was downright rotten!! So that's why I came here. I now work for the state government doing some work with disability. I get paid better but I'm not enjoying myself much. My co-workers are great though!
I am not married and don't yet have any kids of my own (that is not to say I don't have a kid). My kid's name is Richard Maldonado Jr, my cousin's son. He's my little midget as I lovingly call him. He lives with me and I take good care of him. He's now in 5th grade. And just so everybody knows--I hate homework!!!!!!
So there you basically have it. Although most of my academic training has been in psychology, my true love has always been literature and writing. I'm still thinking about maybe one day pursuing a degree in Literature or Women's Studies. Then maybe I can go teach at CSE. I would soooo love that. But with a $60,000+ student loan still waiting to get paid, pursuing dreams may take a while. But here's to dreaming!!!