| Who is Barb? |
| There's plenty of information at this website about what I do, what my interests are, but precious little about what makes me 'tick' or what motivates me. I can start by telling you something of my past that has great bearing on who I am today. I am the daughter of a career Navy officer, a fighter pilot in WW II and Korea, and a test pilot during the cold war days of the 50's and 60's. This man married the ideal Navy officer wife: strong, independent, able to take care of herself and 3 daughters while being left home alone for months at a time. This same man hoped to instill these same virtues in his three daughters and succeeded. In the words of my older sister, "he raised 3 great sons." Some of my co-workers call me a "soft guy" but they also admit that I'm a pretty feminine package! From this, I've grown up to be a low-maintenance kind of woman. I carry this trait into all aspects of my life: I can live for a week out of a carry-on bag, I'm pretty self-sufficient, and my hide and my pride are not easily wounded. I'm not afraid to get out there and tackle life, and I tend to march to my own drummer. The survival skills necessary of a military dependent translate well into adult life. The experience of changing schools every two years, of fitting in quickly has fostered many qualities in my make-up today. I'm quiet, introverted, but not shy. I prefer one-on-one company of another person over a loud and crowded party or restaurant. I'm an active person, and you'll rarely find me spending my evenings on the couch watching mindless TV. But at 10:00 or so on any evening I like to wind down with the man of my dreams or with a good book. The other way I clear my mind of the stresses of work and an overpopulated city is to run. It's the perfect way for me to process the day, to meditate, and to formulate. |
| I am an optimist towards life and other people. Pessimism is a self-fullfilling outlook. Besides, crabbiness is so unattractive! I am not a quitter. I've never been afraid to try something, no matter how difficult it might seem. Some were easy, but some were downright hard. It's been the really hard ones that have given me the most satisfaction. I always look forward to the future,and don't dwell on the past. I learn from my experiences and mistakes, and move on with life. It's this outlook that has allowed me to store any 'baggage' permanently, leaving only the good memories on an accessible 'shelf' to revisit once in a while, when I need a smile. I have learned to REALLY appreciate life and to live it one day at a time, savoring every moment, every seemingly insignificant thing about each day. The loss of my father and my husband, both to cancer, both two very important men in my life, gave me that appreciation and a newfound sensitivity. And, because of this..... I always make myself emotionally available to the other people in my life. Good communication is the key to a successful relationship, whether it's a lover, a spouse, a child, or a close friend. Physical touch is important in my life. I like to touch and be touched. Touch someone every day. Either give that person a hug, a kiss, or a compliment. Say something nice. Wave to that person who lets you in to traffic. The power of touch to heal, to soothe, to nurture is undisputed. |