You must be here because you'd like to know a little bit about me, huh? Well I'll answer a few questions for you, but not too many, because... well... I'm rather paranoid... :)

My name? (Obviously) Shannon - (aka Shanshan, Shaneinei, The Queen of the Universe, Shanny, Shanire, but most often it's just Shan.)

My birthdate? March 15 - I'm a Pisces with a Cancer Rising and a Moon in Leo.

Married? Very happily. :)

Children? 2 beautiful boys - we adopted our boys in 2005 and 2006... Ernesto who just turned 18 (a wonderful, intelligent young man - he's my Angel) and Jose who is almost 15 (the sweetest, smartest boy around - he's my Hunnybear)... :D We've known the boys for a few years - they came from a troubled family and when circumstances found them lacking a home, we decided that they'd been part of our family for a long time, it was time to make it official. :) My boys are my heart and soul. I have lots of pictures of my boys... :)

Pets? Two kitties, Boots who is a Maine Coon (mama's boy) and Sugar who is Siamese and Himalayan(daddy's little angel - not!). They have come to be lovingly referred to as "Trouble" and "Troublemaker"... We have 2 dogs - Bella, who's a mutt, really - part Chihuahua, Wiener Dog, and Pekinese - but the most important thing is she's as sweet and loving as can be (we got her as a family dog, but she decided that she's in love with Ernesto and that was that ~_^). And then there's Brutus who is a Pit Bull Terrier (and don't let the Terrier part fool you into thinking that he's a little thing, that guy isn't even a year yet and he already weighs 60 pounds!) - Brutus is a good boy and my sons *adore* him but the truth of the matter is he is Jose's baby! :)

Favorite movie? When it comes to classics, it's "Gone with the Wind" - anything with Heath Ledger in it is good with me **fans herself** Is it getting hot in here? But honestly, I'm not much of a movie-goer.

Favorite color? Green... some of my favorite things are green... like pistachio ice cream... plants... money... :)

What anime/cartoon character am I most like? Hmmm... Well, I wish I could say I'm sweet like Princess Allura or noble like Captain Keith, but in all honesty, I'm a little nerdy... and paranoid... So, my honest answer would be... Edd (aka "Double D") from "Ed, Edd n' Eddy" (I have the whole neat, orderly, disinfected thing down to a tee). Now I also have to say that, after seeing "Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040" I'm a lot like Nene Rominova, and after watching "Cowboy Bebop" I'd say I'm an awful lot like Ed - I really am about as goofy as they come.

What makes me happy? Simple things... Seeing my children laugh and smile... a hot cup of tea and a slice of cheesecake... snuggling up under a warm blanket on a rainy day with the one I love...

What have I learned from Life? A lot. To start; Life is a circle - What you give is what you get. Secondly; Never walk away mad - You may never get a chance to say you're sorry...death is often unexpected. Lastly; Stay true to yourself - It's the only way you'll ever succeed.

Favorite quote? "None of you will have real Faith until you wish for your brother what you want for yourself." - Mohammed. There is so much truth in this.

Hobbies? Well, obviously, I love anime... especially Voltron - Cowboy Bebop is another favorite. I also like Outlaw Star, Robotech, Blue Seed, Sailor Moon, Gundam Wing (really any of the Gundam series I've seen), BubbleGum Crisis and the list goes on. I love writing. And drawing. I enjoy reading, gardening and cooking... find Marilyn Monroe absolutely fascinating... I like history and science... and learning... I like moonlit walks on the beach-- wait a minute... is this beginning to sound like a personal ad to you too?

Music? Love it. Classical, Jazz, R&B, Oldies, Soft Rock, Hard Rock, Alternative, Country... Almost any music...

Sports? I'd rather not. I think this is actually my hubby's area of expertise... Okay, okay... I like baseball (I even enjoy watching it on TV) - my favorite team is the St. Louis Cardinals... I like basketball (but I only like watching the play-offs) - my favorite team is the LA Lakers... I really don't care for football (except for watching the Super Bowl) - and if I don't say my favorite team is the Dallas Cowboys, then my Dallas Cowboys-obsessed hubby might take all my Voltron stuff away. O_o Heh - Okay I had to update this a bit because my sons threatened to hide my new Voltron DVDs when they noticed that the San Diego Chargers weren't mentioned here... So there it is. ~_^

Drink of choice? Coca Cola Classic... Iced Tea... Hot Tea. Then there's Dr. Pepper... Hot Coffee... Iced Coffee... (are we seeing a caffeinated trend?)... sometimes a glass of Merlot.

Last meal? Well, I've thought and thought about this and I can't come up with an answer... I love food. So, here's what I don't like. Liver (or any other type of organ)... Carrots... Beets... Okay, I'm out.

If I could change anything about myself? Besides the answer most females would give, like "my thighs"... I'm very impatient and I can be very unforgiving... I don't like those two things about myself and I have to work very hard to change them.

What do I like about myself? My Faith. I have an unyielding Faith in my Beliefs. And my sense of humor... although at times it is more than a little warped.

What's been my best investment? My friends. I know most people think "money" when they hear the word "investment" but, the way I see it, my time is much more valuable than money, so my investments are what I put my time and effort into - and that would be my friends. I don't know what I'd do without them...

So, here's the place where I say a small thank you to each of them. (You had to have seen this coming...)

Paul (My Paulie-Po-Po) - My partner in crime. The one I goof off with and who accepts me, weirdness and all, and loves me more for it. We've been together for more than 10 years now... I'm looking forward to the rest of my life with you.

Ernesto and Jose (My Angel and My HunnyBear) - God is the only one who knows how much the two of you mean to me. I never truly knew what unconditional love was until you came into my life - you see that no matter where you go, no matter what you do, my love for you will never fail, it will never end. You really are everything to me. Here's a poem that I wrote for you.

Adiel (My bestest friend and favorite sister) - My biggest supporter - I don't know what I'd ever do without you. You keep me on track when I'm losing it - you always understand, even when I don't. You give me strength and keep me strong.

Lynne (My Psychic Twin) - Are you sure we haven't know one another forever? You are truly a blessing. We have so much in common and are so much alike, but at the same time are so uniquely different - how wonderful is it to have a friend that you share so much with, yet can open your eyes to another world?

Caro (Mi Amiga) - You have helped me to create some of the things I'm proudest of - it's been so much fun to get to know you and I look forward to working with you so much more often!

Michael (My Baby Brother) - I am so proud of the man you've become - and your new wife is absolutely terrific! I can't believe you're about to become a daddy... I am so happy for you!

And, last but not least...

My Mama - My confidant... You're not just my mother, you're my closest friend.

You've all loved and supported me unconditionally. None of you could ever know what that means to me... except maybe my brother.

Someone that I truly admire and wish I could meet is Somaly Mam.  After reading an article on this incredible woman, I sought more information - I read almost everything I could find on the internet and my inital thought was confirmed...  This woman is the definition of a hero.

Here's a link to more information about her on wikipedia.  Please take the time to check out her myspace (Somaly Mam's Myspace).

Personally, there is nothing that makes me angrier than when someone abuses a child.  No one deserves to be mistreated - but when it comes to children...  There are no words to express my feelings on this matter.  Helping abused children is my passion.  I am a foster parent.  It has been the deepest ache in my heart as well as the greatest gift ever given to me.  Multiple times I have witnessed how deeply damaging it is for a child to be mistreated - multiple times I have witnessed how kindness and love can be the salve that heals those wounds.

Look at my friends list on myspace...  Do you see all those beautiful young faces?  Those are some of my kids.  Some of them may seem to be a little rough around the edges...  Sometimes they may seem to be trouble - as well as troubled - they may seem to be on the wrong track, they may seem to be less than honorable.  But I can tell you that all of those beautiful angels are amazing, intelligent, kindhearted, and have a depth of honor that puts most adults to shame.

So, my point is...  Love your kids.  Love a kid you don't have to love.  Next time you see that one kid that you just know is trouble, ask yourself how they got that way...  Ask yourself if they may just need someone to show them a little love, a little kindness...

I love the following short story by Elizabeth Silance Ballard - it's a touching story, even if it is fictional.  The truth of things is - who knows what you can do when you reach out to a child?

Three Letters from Teddy

By Elizabeth Silance Ballard

Teddy's letter came today, and now that I've read it, I will place it in my cedar chest with the other things that are important in my life. "I wanted you to be the first to know." I smiled as I read the words he had written and my heart swelled with a pride that I had no right to feel.

I have not seen Teddy Stallard since he was a student in my 5th grade class, 15 years ago. It was early in my career, and I had only been teaching two years. From the first day he stepped into my classroom, I disliked Teddy. Teachers (although everyone knows differently) are not supposed to have favorites in a class, but most especially are not supposed to show dislike for a child, any child. Nevertheless, every year there are one or two children that one cannot help but be attached to, for teachers are human, and it is human nature to like bright, pretty, intelligent people, whether they are 10 years old or 25. And sometimes, not too often, fortunately, there will be one or two students to whom the teacher just can't seem to relate.

I had thought myself quite capable of handling my personal feelings along that line until Teddy walked into my life. There wasn't a child I particularly liked that year, but Teddy was most assuredly one I disliked. He was dirty. Not just occasionally, but all the time. His hair hung low over his ears, and he actually had to hold it out of his eyes as he wrote his papers in class. (And this was before it was fashionable to do so!) Too, he had a peculiar odor about him which I could never identify. His physical faults were many, and his intellect left a lot to be desired, also. By the end of the first week I knew he was hopelessly behind the others. Not only was he behind; he was just plain slow! I began to withdraw from him immediately.

Any teacher will tell you that it's more of a pleasure to teach a bright child. It is definitely more rewarding for one's ego. But any teacher worth her credentials can channel work to the bright child, keeping him challenged and learning, while she puts her major effort on the slower ones. Any teacher can do this. Most teachers do it, but I didn't, not that year. In fact, I concentrated on my best students and let the others follow along as best they could. Ashamed as I am to admit it, I took perverse pleasure in using my red pen; and each time I came to Teddy's papers, the cross marks (and they were many) were always a little larger and a little redder than necessary. "Poor work!" I would write with a flourish.

While I did not actually ridicule the boy, my attitude was obviously quite apparent to the class, for he quickly became the class "goat", the outcast -- the unlovable and the unloved. He knew I didn't like him, but he didn't know why. Nor did I know -- then or now -- why I felt such an intense dislike for him. All I know is that he was a little boy no one cared about, and I made no effort in his behalf.

The days rolled by. We made it through the Fall Festival and the Thanksgiving holidays, and I continued marking happily with my red pen. As the Christmas holidays approached, I knew that Teddy would never catch up in time to be promoted to the sixth grade level. He would be a repeater. To justify myself, I went to his cumulative folder from time to time. He had very low grades for the first four years, but not grade failure. How he had made it, I didn't know. I closed my mind to personal remarks.

First grade: Teddy shows promise by work and attitude, but has poor home situation.

Second grade: Teddy could do better. Mother terminally ill. He receives little help at home.

Third grade: Teddy is a pleasant boy. Helpful, but too serious. Slow learner. Mother passed away at end of year.

Fourth grade: Very slow, but well-behaved. Father shows no interest.

Well, they passed him four times, but he will certainly repeat fifth grade! "Do him good!" I said to myself.

And then the last day before the holiday arrived. Our little tree on the reading table sported paper and popcorn chains. Many gifts were heaped underneath, waiting for the big moment. Teachers always get several gifts at Christmas, but mine that year seemed bigger and more elaborate than ever. There was not a student who had not brought me one. Each unwrapping brought squeals of delight, and the proud giver would receive effusive thank-you's.

His gift wasn't the last one I picked up; in fact it was in the middle of the pile. Its wrapping was a brown paper bag, and he had colored Christmas trees and red bells all over it. It was stuck together with masking tape. "For Miss Thompson -- From Teddy" it read. The group was completely silent, and for the first time, I felt conspicuous, embarrassed because they all stood watching me unwrap that gift. As I removed the last bit of masking tape, two items fell to my desk; a gaudy rhinestone bracelet with several stones missing and a small bottle of dimestore cologne -- half empty. I could hear the snickers and whispers, and I wasn't sure I could look at Teddy. "Isn't this lovely?" I asked, placing the bracelet on my wrist. "Teddy, would you help me fasten it?" He smiled shyly as he fixed the clasp, and I held up my wrist for all of them to admire. There were a few hesitant oohs and aahs, but as I dabbed the cologne behind my ears, all the little girls lined up for a dab behind their ears. I continued to open the gifts until I reached the bottom of the pile. We ate our refreshments and the bell rang. The children filed out with shouts of "See you next year!" and "Merry Christmas!" but Teddy waited at his desk.

When they had all left, he walked toward me, clutching his gift and books to his chest. "You smell just like Mom," he said softly. "Her bracelet looks real pretty on you, too. I'm glad you liked it." He left quickly. I locked the door, sat down at my desk, and wept, resolving to make up to Teddy what I had deliberately deprived him of -- a teacher who cared.

I stayed every afternoon with Teddy from the end of the Christmas holidays until the last day of school. Sometimes we worked together. Sometimes he worked alone while I drew up lesson plans or graded papers. Slowly but surely he caught up with the rest of the class. Gradually, there was a definite upward curve in his grades. He did not have to repeat the fifth grade. In fact, his final averages were among the highest in the class, and although I knew he would be moving out of the state when school was out, I was not worried for him. Teddy had reached a level that would stand him in good stead the following year, no matter where he went. He enjoyed a measure of success, and as we were taught in our teacher training courses, "Success builds success."

I did not hear from Teddy until seven years later, when his first letter appeared in my mailbox:

Dear Miss Thompson,

I just wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my class next month.

Very truly yours,

Teddy Stallard

I sent him a card of congratulations and a small package, a pen and pencil gift set. I wondered what he would do after graduation. Four years later, Teddy's second letter came:

Dear Miss Thompson,

I wanted you to be the first to know. I was just informed that I'll be graduating first in my class. The university has not been easy, but I liked it.

Very truly yours,

Teddy Stallard

I send him a good pair of sterling silver monogrammed cuff links and a card, so proud of him I could burst! And now today -- Teddy's third letter:

Dear Miss Thompson,

I wanted you to be the first to know. As of today, I am Theodore J. Stallard, M.D. How about that? I'm going to be married in July, the 27th, to be exact. I wanted to ask if you could come and sit where Mom would sit if she were here. I'll have no family there as Dad died last year.

Very truly yours,

Teddy Stallard

I'm not sure what kind of gift one sends to a doctor on completion of medical school and state boards. Maybe I'll just wait and take a wedding gift, but my note can't wait:

Dear Ted,

Congratulations! You made it, and you did it yourself! In spite of those like me and not because of us, this day has come to you. God bless you. I'll be at that wedding with bells on!

End

Touching, ne?

Do something good today - do something for a child.

So, there you have it... er... have me. If there's anything else you'd like to know, email me, I may tell you - I may not. And if you have a really good question, maybe I'll even add it to my list here. :)

That's not enough??? You want pictures, too?? Well, okay... if you insist, here are some pictures...

If you'd like to email me, I really do love to hear from people who visit and enjoy my site, so please feel free! For info on how you can Contact Me try this page.

Still not enough? Well, check out my myspace or my myyearbook...

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