Post date: Feb 7, 2011 6:08:38 PM
January 8, 2011
In response to the highly amusing and poigiant email sent out by Juli Grace Smith requesting news for the Spring Quarterly column, I received an amazing amount of news this go around. Unfortunately, each class is only allowed around 950 words per issue and we had to edit the submissions considerably. Therefore, we decided to post all of the news in its entirety [having asked everyone if it's ok to put on the web], beginning with Juli’s email since some of the submissions reference it and because, well, it rocks. Thank you again Juli!
Hello Class of ’95!
As I sit here writing this (filling in for Ms. Sarah DuCray, who I hear is in the depths of a technology conference courtesy of her new job at Gallaudet University. Yeah and congrats to her!), I’m remembering joking about Alumnae Quarterly updates with Amy Walton, ’94 way back before we were closer to 20 than 40. Anyway, we never wrote in during those early years, because we didn’t think our “real” updates would make it in. They weren’t impressive, muscular enough to lift that ink off the page and strut it around in all the “see what a success she’s becoming” glory. They would have been pedestrian, chaotic, conflicted, and real. Like us.
"Juli Grace, ’95 is starting to realize that the writing hermit/living in a cabin in the woods dream will not pay her student loans or keep her cat in canned food. Currently working at a soap factory as a receptionist, developing a serious perfume allergy, and trying desperately to quit smoking by taking up a contraindicative activity: long distance running. She has no plans to go to grad school, is not on, and will probably never be on, the 30 Most Successful Under 30 list, and has spent more time with People Magazine than with fine literature in the past six months. She has not invented anything, avoids her mother’s phone calls, and vacations in a tent with a slow drip at the center seam. She does like moderately priced Prosecco, however. Please feel free to send her some."
That’s how it would have read, anyway. And you know what, I WISH I would have sent it in. And I WISH it would have been published. This isn’t "What Are You Doing Olympics." This is just sharing. And we want your minutia. We hope the age of social media has loosened your expectations on what you filter out as Quarterly-worthy, because when it gets right down to it, that you dodged your Weight Watchers instructor in the grocery store so she wouldn’t see your cart full of sugary goodness, or that you finally stopped biting your nails after 38 years, is probably going to make our collective day. We will rejoice, because we just want to hear from you, beautiful old friend.
Tell us all your sassy business and make it snappy. Email Sarah at sjducray@gmail.com by November 13, 2010. Also, if you could take some time to make sure all your information is current in the Alumnae Directory (updated names, addresses, email addresses, etc.), we'd appreciate it.
Warm wishes for a beautiful fall,
Juli Grace Smith, ‘95
Sharon Lockwood Mills:
I'd love to share that my husband Jay and I added daughter Isla Ryn to our family in June 2010! She joins big sister, Zoe (almost 3), who is a little mayor and who introduces her to everyone as "this is my friend, Isla!"
Sally Seeker:
I just finished the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon on Oct 3 - my 2nd worst or 3rd best, depending on how you want to look at it. I'm still in San Antonio, enjoying my job as a non-descript government attorney, running a bunch, and working on my project to "Spay the world" (in my Dad's words) - and have started with 15 neighborhood cats. Otherwise, I'm usually found enjoying a post-long-run nap with my real pets (2 dogs, 2 cats)…and, "I do enjoy a moderately priced (heck, I'll take cheap) Prosecco, however. Please feel free to send her some"
Katie Gillespie:
I do have lots of updates - I had a 2nd boy, Bendigo, in October 2009 [just had his 1st birthday last week!], we moved to Portland OR in September and are loving it, and I just started a new job last week that so far is great - and is a 10 minute bike ride away.
Julie Smith and her partner Jesse Markowitz welcomed a new baby girl, Eleanor Rebecca to their family. Eleanor joined her four older siblings giving mom and dad a wonderful fall full of soccer, school, leaves and fun. They still live in Easton, PA where Julie is a professor of economics at Lafayette College.
Marni Rothman:
Well, I've been inspired to give you an update; unfortunately I had to miss our reunion this past May, as I was in San Francisco for my graduation from California Institute of Integral Studies, where I got an MA in Counseling Psychology. I have a private practice in psychotherapy at the Dublin Holistic Centre in Dublin, Ireland. I moved here last year with my husband Brian after our wedding in Muir Woods, CA in August of 2009. Brian is a lecturer in Irish Studies and Contemporary Irish Literature at Trinity College Dublin, and we occationally see fellow Smithie (and now fellow Dubliner) Rebecca Woolf. In August we had a mini-reunion with Stephanie Billings ('96) and Jennie Pyers ('95) at Steph's home in Florence, MA. Jennie and I visited the Smith Art Museum and were delighted to get some of the votive holders made of the old Art History slides. I can't believe they've retired the slides and gone digital, but I am super happy to have slides of Della Robia's work and the site of the Delphi oracle, with candles glowing in them, sitting on the fireplace mantel in our Dublin home!
Cindy Drake-Whitehead:
This past summer I moved from Las Vegas back up to Alaska. My husband and I are fixing up our rental house and will be here for at least two more years. I’m currently not working but do volunteer at a humane society and with the local hospice. I’ve already encountered a bear while walking my two dogs, but luckily my dogs were on leash and the bear didn’t seem to care about us. In August while driving my car up from Las Vegas to Anchorage, I had to take a four-day ferry ride for part of the trip. All of the sleeping rooms were booked, so I slept out on the deck each night with my fellow ferry passengers. What an amazing experience to be out on the ocean exposed like that for three nights and to meet such great people along the way. Living in Alaska is definitely an adventure!
Leslie L. Harris, M.D., F.A.A.P.:
Thank you for the email. I have been thinking a lot about Smith lately.
I am currently still enjoying my career as a neonatologist at Baylor College of Medicine. My days are busy taking care of critically ill babies at Texas Children’s Hospital here in Houston, which I do about 6 months out of the year. I also teach medical students, pediatric residents, and neonatology fellows. I am working on improving education in end-of-life patient care for our infant population, who unfortunately sometimes die too soon. I co-Chair a Bereavement Committee here at Texas Children’s Hospital to provide support and continued follow-up for affected families. I am also excited to be named the Chair of a new statewide Palliative Care Committee for Newborns in the Texas Pediatric Society this year.
I was married to my best friend for the past 12 years Dr. Edward G. Baptista on December 4, 2009. He is a cardiologist in private practice in the Houston area, and I love married life. Our favorite thing to do is to spend time together at home with our three cats.
I have been thinking about certain things I miss at Smith. I recall jogging through the little trails by Paradise Pond, especially at the end of October when the leaves had turned, and I would be greeted by gorgeous sprays of color around every turn. I can’t run anymore having injured both of my knees, so I now spend a lot of time sweating in Bikram “hot” yoga classes instead. I miss my English and French Literature courses, and the joy of losing myself in the beauty and mystery of a story, rather than the medical articles that are now all piled around me in my office! I miss many of my past delicate friendships, which thrived in the protective college environment, but were lost among the real challenges of life.
Thank you for helping me remember such a magical and important experience. Smith was an important step to becoming the woman I am today.
Alison (Stern) Awes:
I completely cracked up when I read this email. I think I have been one of those long time quarterly lurkers, who gets a mention when others write in and talk about seeing me. I might have submitted something about 15 years ago, but I can't be sure right now. Your email inspired in me an attitude of no time like the present! Right now I happen to be on my way to Rome for a meeting-- that's the 'what are you doing olympics' part. The minutia is that we are delayed for 5 hours with probable promise of a lost connection after record breaking high winds in Minneapolis.
I got married about two and a half years ago with my Smithie BFF at my side. Betsy (Rosenburg) Schwartz, Wendy (Rotzien) Ross, and Amy (Call) Well all stood up with me on a gorgeous summer day at the ruins of an old flour mill in Minneapolis. (My husband Zurich also got a great laugh out of Juli's quarterly submission!! He too has not kept in tough with his alma mater...) Zurich and I are greatly enjoying our child- and pet-free life which allows for much travel. After seven years of teaching school children, I was ready for some adult conversation. Currently I am the Director of Elementary Training at the Montessori Training Center of MInnesota. I train adults to teach elementary children (ages 6-12) in Montessori schools. I also present national workshops and to support teachers in the classroom. I'd love to talk with any alums about Montessori schools (alisonawes@gmail.com) and am working with a committee to start a Charter Montessori in Saint Paul in September of 2011.
Anyway, thanks for the nudge and have a great day!
Grace Lee:
This [Juli’s email] is hilarious & actually inspired me to write for the first time.
I'm sorry I missed the reunion. I had every intention of going & then life caught up again. I've been living in NYC for the last decade, trying to be incognito and nesting in my garden apt with partner & dog, while scheming to quit my 2nd career in fashion (occasionally bump into Tenley Zinke here at the job) & move out of the city to get myself a real life. Anyone need yarns, let me know. I have the world's largest stash & it just keeps growing. Actually went on a last minute trip this past labor day to Shelbourne Falls & spent a little time back on campus, at East Heaven Hot Tubs and getting apple cider donuts at Atkins Farm. It had been too long. Hope everyone else is doing well.
Sung Yun:
Hmmm, I have to say Juli's message rings very very true, I am motivated to submit my first...
I am living in Hamden, CT. Never thought I'd settle here but here I am, married almost ten years to an amazing man, David. Lived briefly in Seattle and ended up back East once I had my daughter realizing close proximity to family is key to maintaining my sanity. Now, I work full time at the Yale Peabody Museum in development and raising four kids...yes, four. Danielle 7, Brian 5, Kali and Erin 3 [twins]. Time does fly! I hope that all my old friends from Albright are doing well, I am thinking of you!
Sadaf Shamshad writes in that she’s a stay at home mom of three living in Jersey. (We can’t wait to hear more!)
Francesca Tronchin:
After trying out several years of being an itinerant academic/archaeologist, with various positions in Columbus, OH, Los Angeles, CA, and Winnipeg, MB (that's in Canada!), I have finally settled down in Memphis, TN as an assistant professor in the Art Department at Rhodes College. Too old and creaky for rugby these days, I've been running lots. Fortunately, the running club here usually rolls out a keg of beer at our weekly group runs. OK, so it's not very different from my rugby experiences.
Soozhana Choi:
After six years in New York as a senior commodities analyst with investment bank JPMorgan Chase Bank and the hedge fund Ospraie Management, Soozhana moved to Singapore to take up the position of director and head of Deutsche Bank's commodities research for the Asia region. It's great to be back in Asia where so much is hapenning from an economics and socal perspective.
Maggie Bergin:
Well put!!!!! And inspiring! Sometimes I read the Quarterly updates out-loud to my boyfriend while howling with laughter. I swear I could write one AS A JOKE and it would not sound at all different than ones that actually appear. Here's my real, chaotic and conflicted update:
After working as a lobbyist for the past four years for my company, The Art of Politics, I became increasingly freaked out by the piss poor state of our (ahem) representative democracy. Too many awesome people, organizations and companies are not at the political table. As a result, I've recently transformed The Art of Politics from a lobbying firm into a Government Affairs Training company. In other words, instead of fishing for people, I'm now teaching people how to fish. If it doesn't work out, I might open a sno cone stand in Majorca. On the personal front, I live with an awesome man, in an awesome city, in an awesome house (www.holyokehome.com). To sum up? Lots of awesome.
Coyote Karrick is listening to her favorite mix on Pandora featuring some Lady Gaga and Bob Marley, and dancing around the house like no one is watching. Happy in life and love (also the name of her new life and relationship coaching website: inlifeandlove.com), she says she is always learning what it is to be a "happy thriving taking the easy path more of the time person while staying on the adventure!" There's nothing she'd rather be doing than the above. She is also becoming about her own business, finally getting what Gloria Steinem spoke to at our graduation, basically, "let the turtle be even if it's in the middle of the road." I hope everyone is well and loving their adventure! Always appreciative of Smith and my memories there, until next time, Coyote Karrick
Janis and Jennie Abbott Abbingsole are thrilled to announce that after years of trying, they are now parents! Jennie gave birth at home in Oakland, CA, to baby George on 10/10/10 during a long-weekend visit from her sister. "Janis was the ideal labor partner, and the midwives worthy of all our trust. It was everything we could have wished for, and we are, of course, in love with George." Although Janis and Jennie are listed as parents on George's birth certificate, California domestic partnership laws don't protect their family in all other states, so Janis is in the process of also legally adopting George as a "step-parent." What a wonky system!
Paige Levin graduated in July with an MFA in Creative Writing from Stonecoast at the University of Southern Maine. Her work has appeared in Southern Women’s Review, Indie Ink and AOL and she’s currently finishing her first novel. In her free time she contemplates segueing fully to a writing career, though the prospect of subsisting on Ramen Noodles at this age is daunting to say the least.Also, in June Paige met up with Samantha Coker ‘95 in Manhattan for a girl’s weekend (read: pedicures, cocktails and shopping).
Derry Voysey Wade and husband David welcomed a daughter, Mia Rachel, on 6/19/10. 4-yr-old son Tyler is surprisingly (and thankfully) enjoying his role as a big brother. Derry started in a new position just before Mia's arrival at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business where she is the communications manager for the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Later this year she will celebrate a decade of working at the University of Virginia and 15 years of living in Charlottesville, VA - a town that often reminds her of Northampton. She was sorry to miss the 2010 Reunion but is looking forward to seeing everyone in 2015!
Mel Hudson-Nowak recently accepted a new position at Bowling Green State University as Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, Auxiliary Services. She wrote that she in the 'drinking from the fire hose' stage, which means every question results in another huge pile of reading and a handful more questions. Strangely reminiscent of Smith days, including the occasional trip to the public library, although this time with two kids in tow. Mel also reported she just passed her fifteenth wedding anniversary, which is conveniently aligned to our graduation year and therefore easy to remember.
Lisa Maloof happily pursues her two favorite activities-- Mysore yoga and writing—during the wee hours of the morning. Once the sun comes up, she turns back into the stay at home mother of two twirly-skirted Leo daughters and a seven year old dog of unknown provenance (also a girl.) She lives in Oakland.
Anastasia (“Stasia”) Drohan studied medicine at Tulane University after graduating from Smith. She specialized in Dermatology and is now living in Panama City, Panama with her husband, Raul Cochez, and her daughters Gloria Valeria (4) and Mia Anastasia (2). I look forward to seeing our facebook page and reconnecting with a lot of Smithies.
Kirsten (Wallace) Fisher wrote: “I continue to live in St. Petersburg, FL while working at the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) in sponsorship sales and marketing. 6 months ago, my husband, Ashley and I, adopted a beagle puppy named Matilda. She is currently the center of our universe and more joy than work…and she is a lot of work! We are planning to spend the holidays in Ashley’s home town near Sydney, Australia.”
And of course, this column would not be complete with out an update from Juli Grace Smith:
Juli finally realized one of her post-grad dreams and moved her family to the woods about six months ago. Right now she's probably sitting on the couch, watching "Swamp People," flipping through a People Magazine, and toasting you all with a glass of Prosecco. Cheers!
Remember, the next deadline is February 15 so please send me your news!
Sincerely your scribe,
Sarah J. DuCray