Era Who?

Here we are, each occupying our own unique time and space in the universe.    Are we simply the sum total of our circumstances and life experiences?  Merely an accumulation of labels assigned by our friends, families, and society? 

Well, until I can figure  that out,  here is a list about me.

25 Incredibly Long Winded, Convoluted Facts About Era

1. “Why does your picture look like that?”, you may wonder.  Simple.  I can’t afford software that will make me look like Halle Berry. (Note to self: replace above photo with picture of Halle Berry).
2. Grand entrance:  March 13 in the late 1900’s.  Don’t snicker.  If you’re reading this, you were probably born in the 1900’s too.  So there.
3. I was born in Heidelberg, West Germany, so technically, the country of my birth no longer exists.  And people wonder about my self-esteem.
4. The last child and only girl born into a military family, my parents were in their forties at the time of my birth.  (The doctors told my mother I was a tumor, because no one her age could possibly have a baby.  Wow, how times have changed!)   I have three brothers who are, on average , 18 years older than I.  For the most part they were grown and living independently during my childhood.  So in many ways I grew up like an only child.  My big brothers are very cool though.
5. We lived in Ft. Eustis, Virginia, a US Army base until I was seven.  When my father retired from the military, we moved to St.Thomas, US Virgin Islands where I lived until graduation from University (Summa Cum Laude)- BA Bus. Admin with concentrations in Accounting, Marketing, and Finance.
6. I attended the the University of Miami School of Law on a Dean’s Scholarship, graduated with a Juris Doctor, and am licensed to practice law in the state of Florida.
7. Love to paint, draw, and generally get my craft on.  The creativity tends to include writing, although you may disagree after reading this tome.  I play piano, a little.  Singing –  not so much.
8. I am intrigued by interior design and architecture.  If I had the time and money to pursue another degree, you now know what it would be.
9. Used to enjoy roller blading but  now I prefer pilates. I go to the gym twice a week in a lame attempt to stave off decrepitude.  However, I generally dislike exercise and despite my best efforts, can’t seem to loose the extra chin.  Refer to photograph above.  (Note to self: forgot to insert picture of  Halle Berry)
10. Love to travel.  Spent a summer semester of law school at University College London.  A bomb threat closed the school one day but being a summer semester, we couldn’t afford to miss any class time due to the credit hour requirements.  So while students of other nationalities kept a safe distance – the Americans had to enter the building and resume classes.  Well, thankfully I’m still here.  Plus I got to travel around Europe – one of the best things I’ve ever done.  In Amsterdam there was a fire drill at our hotel early in the morning.  Nothing like rounding up a bunch of international students at the crack of dawn in their pajamas.  It was cold – in June!
11. Married to a great guy who happens to be from India.
12. Have three children whom I love deeply,  although they have changed many a hair on my head from black to gray. 
13. I Enjoy travelling throughout India.  I’ve travelled from Delhi to Chennai by train (kinda like going from New York to Florida – but not exactly).  Been to Agra (yes, seen the Taj Mahal),  Jaipur, Hyderabad, Bangalore,  Mysore, Cochin, and Munnar.  Now I would like to visit Mumbai, Darjeeling, perhaps Goa, and a few other places.
14. Despite travels in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, I have never been to Spain, Italy, or Eastern Europe.  Never been to Africa, Hawaii, Alaska, or Chicago.  Really want to walk the Great Wall of China.  Would love to see Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan…  Oh, then there’s Australia and New Zealand.  I hear Seattle is great.  Making a list – checking it twice… (insert tune of popular Christmas song here).
15. Have my PADI  advanced open water scuba diving certification.  Another one of the best things I’ve ever done.
16. I’ve always done well academically, but after several years of reading lots of Dr. Seuss … did I mention the three kids?
17. Love to dance.  Hope to take ballroom and country line dancing lessons.  Hey, I’m a complicated gal with diverse interests.
18. I am four feet fourteen inches tall.  Why the unconventional format?  Size doesn’t matter (except maybe font size – tee hee). 
19. I have experienced several major hurricanes.  I lived without electricity and running water for 2 months after Hurricane Hugo hit the Virgin Islands in 1989, thus proving how adaptable human beings are.  I actually had fun, but I will be the first to admit that once the lights came back on I was thrilled.  After Hurricane Marilyn in 1995, I could not contact my parents for a week.  I was in Florida, they were on St. Thomas.  I feared the worst.  When I finally spoke to them I was relieved that they were OK but the roof was gone and most of the house destroyed.  When Hurricane Andrew hit Miami in 1992, I had just arrived a week before.  Luckily our area sustained little damage.  Unfortunately, other areas like Homestead, not so lucky.
20. In highschool I shared a deeply moving letter/journal entry with my best friend in response to one she had shared with  me.  Given her interest in journalism, she returned it with red proof reading marks.  I wonder if she got the gist of what I was saying? 
21. Hi, my name is Era and I adore chocolate.  MMmmmmm.  I also like sweet and salty snacks including vanilla ice cream with a touch of  Lays potato chips.  All I can say is don’t knock it ’till you try it.  
22. Biggest regret:  the thank you note I never got to send my aunt before she died.
23. Most amazing thing I’ve ever seen:  My husband’s expression when he saw each of our children for the first time.  I’ve never seen anything like and it’s my favorite thing….  Oh yeah, the kids are OK too.
24. My favorite book (for now):  “Princess Academy” by Shannon Hale.  I know it’s junior fiction (I’ve just graduated from Dr. Seuss) but it’s a great read –  check it out.  My favorite genre (books, movies, whatever) is comedy.  I love to laugh.
25. What I want most out of life?  The short answer is for the kids to turn out all right. 

These are mostly circumstances and life experiences.  What about the real me?  That will have to come later.  If you’ve read ’till this point, go take a break… you’ve earned it.  If you’re really a glutton for punishment then please see Another Side of Me (coming soon).