Many people have "known" me online, but they don't really know the real me. When it really comes down to it, we can be anyone we want to be over the internet, can't we? Well, although we can exaggerate who and what we are online, I have never done this... I am who and what I claim to be. I figure, in "real life" (i.e., face to face, off the Internet), I only associate with people who will like me for who I truly am inside and out, so why should I pretend to be something I'm not online just to make friends on the Internet? It's senseless, I say! However, honesty or not, people will still only see in me what they choose to see... a young woman who has sung professionally, plays a little guitar, loves animals (especially dogs and horses), is a very nature-oriented person whose spirituality lies amongst nature and philosophy rather than organized religion, a mother of two handsome & intelligent boys (ages 11 & 14).

I'm 30 years old, and am just now finishing my first quarter of college... guess you could say I've finally decided what I want to be when I grow up! My major is a "double whammie" -- Business Management and Computer IT. I never committed myself to college before now because I am disabled.... something that most people online know about me, and that everyone in "real life" knows. I have Bipolar Disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder, and Generalized Panic Disorder. <whew!> I know, that can sound like a lot of labels to put on someone, but actually those three disorders very frequently go hand-in-hand. I've been under treatment for over ten years now, but it's only been approximately the last two years that we (that is, my doctor and I) finally found the right medication adjustments for me. Unfortunately, I am very resistant to medications, so the battle has been very difficult for me. Therefore, I couldn't hold down jobs for any period of time, as I couldn't seem to handle the stress very long, and I certainly had no respect for the authority that came along with having a boss! The same went for school.... going to class and sitting through tedious lectures was something that I just could not get through. Lucky for me, not only have my medications (and years of prior therapy) finally stabilized me enough to find the motivation to set some goals and want to go for my college degree, but I found the opportunity to obtain my Bachelor's Degree via the Internet, meaning I can set my own hours for my homework. This works wonderfully for me as I can be my own boss, and work on the self-discipline of doing what is required of me to reach my goal of a college degree and finally a career that will follow!

I was separated from my ex-husband and on my own with my two boys at the age of 20, and after several tumultuous relationships and ready to give up on love altogether, I finally met and became engaged to the love of my life, Adrinn Chellton. Even so young, I became quite the cynic and didn't believe in soul mates, until I met him. He is my best friend, my lover, my everything. He is wonderful with my boys, and they love him as much as he loves them. If it weren't for Adrinn, I wouldn't be in school now... he didn't pressure me into college or even suggest it -- he simply made me believe in myself, and made me motivated in life enough to want to pursue an education and career! (He, too, is enrolled in the school I'm in, with the same double major! He's currently a mechanic, but he doesn't want to turn wrenches the rest of his life, and both of us share a passion for troubleshooting computers.)

Well, I could run on and on about more things about myself and my life, but this is really me in a nutshell. I wage a daily war against my disabilities (I lose some battles, and win some -- and I will win the war!), I am a singer, a mother, happily engaged to be married, a college student, and although not religious, a very spiritual person who loves and reveres life. What else is there?