Vickie Allen:
CLASS OF 1966
North Eugene High SchoolClass of 1966
Eugene, OR
University of Oregon - MusicClass of 1974
Eugene, OR
University of the PacificClass of 1970
Stockton, CA
Vickie's Story
Life
Time to Update!
I'm now 62 and happier than I ever have been. Just returned from a fabulous trip to Thailand. What a wonderful country and amazing people. I have an offer to go on a trek with a guide who became a friend. I'm working on getting into shape to do that hopefully before too long.
I also started a pet sitting business and am having the blast of my life! People actually pay me to play with their pets. I earn my travel money this way.
Travel is the name of the game and in the past 6 years I have been to Ireland, Canada, Mexico, Hawaii 4 times and Thailand. So many places to see!
I am blessed with wonderful friends and enjoy them as much as I can. I also have a wonderful family in Oregon-brother, sister-in-law, niece and her family and nephew whose wife is expecting their first baby.
I also am fortunate to not have been badly affected by the economic troubles-I'd just retired the year before, own my own home and don't believe in building up debts.
I try to give back through volunteer work with a wild animal rescue organization. Some say I've gone to the birds (I specialize in rehab of song birds).
We truly live in a wonderful world. I hope I don't miss a single moment of it!
________________________________________________________
At 59 yrs old I find myself looking at life a lot differently than when I was 16 and in North Eugene.
I live in beautiful northern California - Bay area. I worked as a music therapist for 22 years, a field which is an exciting field. 9 years ago I moved into a management position at a state Veterans Home. Last year, while looking at retirement, I decided I had to make a tough decision. Stay at the Veterans Home in a job I loved with clients who were exceptional or take an amazing pay increase and move to work in a state prison system. I made the choice to change jobs and be able to look at an early retirement. Although it was a change that has suprised me. Many of my stero-types of the criminal system and prisoners have been changed. It is an unique setting with many challenges, but as it turns out, a good change for me. I anticipate being here about a year, then retirement.
The biggest shock of my life was, after 28 yrs of marriage, five years ago I suddenly found myself single-which was, and is, another learning experience.
I find now that many interests I did not have time/courage/tools to do--I have managed to follow later in life. Such as travel-I love to travel in and out of USA; Photography-I've done some professional photography and printing as well; Animal training-wish I was as well trained as my dog; Sailing-ahh, is there any better way to relax?
It is exciting to know, no matter my age, I am still learning, changing and expanding my horizons. I can't wait to see what retirement will have in store...Expand for more
for me!
School
I enjoyed school although I wouldn't say it was easy. I worked hard for the grades I received. I was very shy-which often people took as being 'stuck up'. Some experiences are hard to shake. Overall however I enjoyed high school-manly because of my involvement with Band. Mr.Frazell, the band director, was a beacon light for me. He conducted a class that was fun, insightful and inspiring! He also told me about a field (Music Therapy) which I pursued. In Band I ended up marching in parades and attending football and basketball games-something I probably would not have done otherwise. I also really enjoy the German class I took for 2 years. (Don't ask me any german now!) Of course I fell in love for the first time during this school period.
If I could go back and be less serious, more outgoing and maybe not be quite so worried about grades I probably would have a much more fun time. All in all however, high school was a fun experience.
College
From high school I stayed in town and continued my love of music at the University of Oregon. I was going for a degree in Music Therapy, but only went here 2 years because the U of O did not offer a degree in that field. However my Oboe playing benefitted greatly during these two years. I also worked at the campus switchboard. The lowest grade I ever received was when I was having so much fun at work that I worked full time for one semester. Great for my social life, terrible for my GPA. A high school friend, Carol Redpath, followed me to college. We had a ball! My Junior year I moved to Stockton CA to the University of the Pacific to complete my degree. What a shock of going from classes of 300 to 13! Another different, but very enjoyable experience. I was dorm monitor one year. No close friendships developed from this experience but it was a very wonderful 2 year experience.
Workplace
I am a rare creature who decided in Junior high what I wanted to do when I grew up--and did it!
I choose the health related field of Music Therapy. My first job was in a mental institution. The mind is an amazing thing-both good and bad. I truly learned the most about people in that environment. I worked with psychotic adolescents and loved every minute of it, although safety was a major concern.
After 5 years with this population I moved on and worked with developmentally developed adults for a year-not my cup of tea.
Finally settled working in a Veterans facility of elderly. Wonderful people. I have been at the Yountville CA Veterans Home for 31 years. I could not hope to ever work with any finer group of people. Every day they are an inspiration to me. Having a father who served in WWII makes this even a more important job for me.
I look forward to retirement in 2 or 3 years.
After that another new world to explore!
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Register for Free to view all yearbooks!
Reunions
Photos
Register for Free to view all photos!