A New Life

In the summer of 1998, after trying for over a year to salvage a failing marriage, my husband and I split and I went to start a new life with my daughter.

I immediately got involved with someone.  After 6 months we were living together.

Up to this point, I'd bounced from job to job.  Never found a career.  I was working as an administrative assistant and thinking seriously about going back to school which I did in the fall of 1999.  I graduated in May 2000 with an Associates Degree and enrolled immediately in a B.S. program.

I got married for the second time in December 2000.  My life was spent working full time, going to school 4+ nights a week and raising my daughter.

In May 2001 I found a job teaching computer classes to adult students.  I truly loved my job, and I was good at it.

May 2003 - It had taken me a total of 14 years, but I'd finally graduated - Cum Laude.  I'd earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from St. Leo University.

What an awesome day!

Over the next year I continued teaching and earned multiple IT certifications, having taken and passed 14 certification exams in 12 months time.

I had accomplished so much, and yet I was so miserable.  My weight had reached an all time high - 220 lbs.  I was married to a man I didn't love and couldn't stand.

 

At right: me and Nicki at my highest 220 lbs.

Continue to A New Life - Again!