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Birth
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Period: to
Tonya's Life
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Started Kindergarten
I had never gone to daycare or had a babysitter other than a grandmother. I lived a very sheltered life attached to my mother's apron strings. My mom and I were the only two crying hysterically. In time, I loved school. -
Started Public School
I was extremely shy as a child, so a small private school was the perfect environment for me. I had a lot of friends and did well in school, but classes were small and all of our parents were very involved in school. It was a Christian school, and I honestly never heard swearing or yelling at school. As a child, I loved the nurturing environment, but as an adult, I realize I started life with a very distorted view of the world. -
Best Year in School
I flourished in junior high. It was my time. I played volleyball, basketball, and softball. I played saxophone in the school band, and I acted in school plays. I took dance lessons, and I started making a lot of friends after a few years in public school. I hated high school, but I wouldn't mind living these years over. -
Realized My Love for Literature/Writing
I had the most caring teacher for freshman English, and she had a passion for literature. She was getting her master's the year I was in her class, and she was so excited about sharing the things she was learning with us. I had always enjoyed English, but her class was the first time I had really gotten excited about classic literature. She was also head of the newspaper, and I started writing for the newspaper my sophomore year. -
English Teacher Dies During Christmas Break
My English teacher died my sophomore year, and it's significant to me because of how we treated her. She never moved from her desk. She would always have us read out loud or give us busy work. I was angry because I was really into English at this point. We really gave her a hard time, but of course, we didn't know she was so sick. I felt tremendous guilt that has never goneaway. I learned the importance of not judging others. We never know the life they lead. -
Went to Europe
This was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I not only fell in love with the places (Switzerland, Germany,and Austria) but also with travel. I now have to settle for reading about places instead of travelling to them. I'm struggling financially these days. -
Graduated High School
I probably had the biggest smile on my face. I hated the last two years of high school. I had made friends with mostly older kids, so when they left, I was left with very few friends. I always seemed older than I was. These years were awkward for me. My interests weren't popular with most high school kids. I loved reading, classic movies, and art. -
Started Ohio State
I only attended one quarter, and I crawled back home knowing my parents were right. They knew I was too shy to be happy so far away from home at a huge university. I am shy, but I have always longed to be an adventurer. I usually have to settle for living through the adventures of others. As I'm getting older, I am learning to care less about what other people think and it helps tremendously. I'm still not there yet, though. -
Started Career with Department Store
I was lost. I had gone to ECU a semester, but I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I had thought about teaching at this point, but I wasn't driven to make good grades. I started working part-time, and it was great for my self-esteem. I worked hard and was praised for doing a good job. I worked harder to impress my boss, and I did enjoy the job. -
Mom's Car Accident
My mom was almost killed by a drunk driver Memorial weekend. I will never forget the first time I walked into ICU and saw her swollen, purple, and hooked to hoses and metal rods. She was confined to her bed and then to a wheelchair for over a year. She is disabled, but her strength and determination amazes me. She has gone through so much, but she still pushes herself every day to do things most of us take for granted. -
Promoted to Cosmetic Manager
I have never considered myself to be beautiful but working as a makeup artist and then as manager, helped my self-image. -
Met Clint (Caleb's Dad)
I ate, drank, and slept my career, so I never took time to go out and meet people. I'm sure I was hiding behind work. It was safe because I was good at it, and I had mostly work relationships, which were easier than social ones. Clint works for my grandfather, and we started talking very casually when I'd visit my granddad's business. He is a larger than life person and very funny. I've never felt as comfortable with anyone. -
Promoted to Area Sales Manager
I commuted to Rocky Mount for two years. There were many times I got home, slept three or four hours, showered and dressed, and drove back to work. I had no life! -
Promoted/Increased Staff-Transferred to Greenville
The commute was over, but I had gained a lot more responsibility. I missed so much. My family stopped asking me to life events. -
Caleb's Birth (son)
The happiest moment of my life!! It really does completely change your perspective on life. -
Promoted to Merchandise Coordinator/Moved to Southern Pines
I had worked very hard to reach this point in my career. My boss told me that he insisted I get a nanny and gave me names of organizations to assist me in finding one. I went along with it for awhile, and my parents spent more time with my son than I did. I was told that I would have to work fourteen hour plus days to prepare for a visit from the corporation owners. My son's first birthday was during this time, and I didn't see him on his FIRST birthday. -
Quit my Management Job
I decided my priorities were screwed up after I allowed owners of a corporation to come before my son. I quit with no regrets. It was difficult financially. I was earning $80,000 a year plus bonuses, and I earned less than $16,000 last year. My life turned upside down, but I know it will be worth it. -
Returned to College at Pitt
I started college two weeks after I quit my job. I knew what I had to do to be happy, but I had a lot of people try to convince me not to teach. My family thought I had lost my mind to leave a financially rewarding career to seek a lower paying one that would take years to begin. Money isn't everything, and I've learned that fact, even if they haven't. -
Returned to ECU
It's been a slow process and more difficult than I could have ever imagined.
