Mala Bielawski:  

After graduating from MHS, I went to Boston University and got married, before graduating. After graduation, I started moving around the country, as a corporate wife. I have lived in eight different states, and I've also taught foreign language in each of those states. Throughout all of the relocations, I continued my education, earning an M.A., at Miami of Oxford, and a PhD, at the University of New Mexico (French & Spanish Literature and Philosophy). I've spent most of my career teaching upper school foreign language, as well as establishing foreign language departments, developing and certifying curricula,from beginner level through the Advanced Placement levels. In the last decade, I did contract negotiation for Aerospatiale and Dassault aircraft companies,as well as Thiokol, during the Paris Airshows. When not working full-time, I've been a contributing writer for the SAT II's, Spanish and French (literature and language)and Advanced Placement Exams (same specialties); contributed segments to Heinle and Heinle Publishing Co. for a classroom text series, widely used in today's high schools; and lectured at N.Y.U. and U.C.L.A, briefly. I still coach students for the SAT II's and Advanced Placement Exams. Although my career has centered around education, my real passion(o.k., Herbie Kepnes, this one's for you)was for the world of cosmetics (treatments, makeup, perfumes,etc.). I became a student of every brand in the industry (commercial, as well as medical), not to mention a "cosmetic junkie," for many years. I would roam the cosmetic counters, trying to get samples and information from managers and line people to either affirm or refute any research/study that might accompany each line. This was both a pleasant and insightful way to escape from my studies and work. Within the last several years, my second life has mainly dealt with the intriguing world of ballroom dancing (have always been "a closet dancer"). I've competed throughout the country in both the Latin International and American Rhythm styles, working with a professional partner and former U.S. American Rhythm Champion. The whole undertaking has been both challenging and rewarding - challenging, in that I've had to put in more than 15-20 hours/week to prepare for each competition; rewarding, in that I've been able to get feedback (both critical and constructive) from some of the best professionals in the business (all the professionals on "Dancing with the Stars," etc.), as well world champions who represent their countries. Their input contributed to my motivation and subsequent regional and national wins. Have I mentioned how much makeup one gets to wear at these competitive events? You wouldn't want to be caught dead on the streets with all that stuff on your f...Expand for more