Maria Forte:  

Annabel Lee (yes I sang for my supper) ferry boat. 1991-1993 Chi Chi's (waiting tables in college)and retail Limited Express. 1993-1995 US Navy It was not just a job but an adventure. I worked on Electrical systems. I went to Orlando, FL; Great Lakes,IL; Treasure Island,CA and Pearl Harbor,HI for assignments. With my ship I went to American Samoa, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and U.A.E. 1995-1996 Olive Garden (yes I need to wait tables while I am going to college). 1996-1997 worked for both the Candlelight and Forum Theaters in the Chicago area. I did theater tech for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, It's a Wonderful Life, Christmas Carol, Phantom, The Odd Couple, Sherlock's Last Case, Cash on Delivery and Seasons Greetings. I worked with spotlights,props and pyrotechnics. Theater went bankrupt after 38 years in the business. 1997-1998 worked at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Illinois. I gave tours of the Coal Mine and German U-boat. I worked on an educational outreach program with the local school districts. We worked on a Mars Landrover, computerized Lego module, a 747 airplane, human body virus exhibits and other items to assist students in improving their standards of learning in math and science. One day a week I volunteered to work in the collections department with the museum registrar. I worked with artifacts,loans and new exhibits. I worked on the Sounds of Chicago Exhibit (grammy awards, Latin Music Station,Opera set pieces, Placido Domingo's cape and etc.) 1996-1998 worked as a substitute teacher for the Chicago Public School district. 1998-2001 worked at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington,D.C. I worked with Visitor Service doing special events,educational programs, volunteer coordination, information and ticket services. 2001-2004 National Park Service. I worked in the Intake training program. My host park was the Historic Preservation Training Center. I worked in the woodcrafting department. I worked on window glazing,lead abatement and a slate roof project. I worked on Rose Hill Manor (a Georgian Mansion), Harpers Ferry (the Armorer's house), Arlington House and Best House Farm House at Monocacy Battlefield. I had work assignments at the Harpers Ferry Conservation Center(I worked with the registrar's office). We took in artifacts from other National Parks all over the country so the conservators could work on them. I got to see Teddy Roosevelt's "Big Stick". I had a work assignment at Hampton National Historic Site. I worked on their environmental controls and I assisted in decorating the historic house for Yuletide. I worked at Clara Barton National Historic Site and Glen Echo Park. I cataloged artifacts, assisted in moving new acquisitions, assisted in environmental controls and historic housekeeping. I worked at Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial. I assisted appraisers with a collection. Assisted in seasonal changeovers, assisted in long-range planning for the site and assisted archaeologists with access to the site. I worked on the Hurricane Isabel Incident Recovery at Jamestown. I was able to have training in Montana on Log Cabin restoration, training in Louisiana on Universal Accessibility for museum exhibit design, training in Illinois on collection management, training in West Virginia on contracting and section 106. 2004-Present: Army Medical Museum as a museum registrar. I work with a collection that spans from 1775-present. Photographs, oil portraits, uniforms, flags, medical equipment and etc. I work on computer programs to keep track of items as they move through new exhibits, go to conservation, go on loan or moved into better storage conditions. 2004-Present: My part-time evening fun job is doing spotlights at Sea World for the season. I work on the Shamu show but have been known to work on the Halloween shows as well. I really like being by the water and seeing sea life Military Boot camp was at Orlando, Florida: My mom has a picture of me smiling. I actually enjoyed boot camp. I loved the fire training and although my eyes would say no, I did have fun with the gas mask training. I liked the survival at sea training. I liked the instructors who kept things interesting even though we were trying not to fall asleep due to sleep deprivation. I don't miss the blue fuzz balls that shed off our sweat pants. I was blowing blue out my nose for at least a month. After boot camp I had a mini-vacation. My boyfriend came to pick me up and we spent time in Orlando and at Nagshead. Electrician Mate's A school at Great Lakes, Illinois: I was amazed on how shiny the floors could get by using car wax. (Good trick Theresa!) We had two fist fights in our class. We had the same instructor for both fights and we all had to fill out forms. I remember the icicle trees and the base being -90 degrees (with windchill). I ate at McDonalds so much with my boyfriend that the lady asked where he was when I went without him one day. I remember Theresa setting me up with the Coroner and not telling me. I almost drove off the road when he said what he did for a living. I remember upside down shots at the bar. I remember handing my roommate an engagement ring (I wasn't using it) so she could have one when she married her boyfriend. I remember singing in the choir. I remember wearing a skirt and heels to walk in the snow so we could sing for Martin Luther King's birthday celebration. I remember going to Chicago almost every weekend and visiting my cousins. I helped my cousin cut out paper hearts, apples and etc for her pre-school program. I remember Dennis giving me a heart. I remember Foster and his pink cast. I remember dumping tomatoe sauce on one of the cooks when we were in galley company. Class C school at Treasure Island, California: I remember driving from Chicago to Treasure Island in the snow. I remember trying to get over Donner's Pass. I remember hanging out with Remmy and Corum. I went to Alcatraz with them. We played Q-sar. They hired the Bushman to scare me for my birthday. I remember having a string bead in my hair going through a military inspection. I remember Corum and I eating at a French Restaurant and discovering what Sweet Bread really was. I remember watching Anime with Remmy. I remember going to Berkley and buying my nephew a Pull the Monster book. I remember scrubbing floors and picking up sea gull feathers. I remember going to dance clubs and the Chinese New Year in San Francisco. Pearl Harbor Hawaii: I remember the ship running aground. I remember the coast guard ramming us and causing damage. I remember becoming a shellback. I remember seeing a wild pig in American Samoa chasing a guy on a bike. I remember having a traditional British Christmas in Hong Kong. I remember eating whatever the Australian had in Singapore. I remember Chanel No 5 for three dollars in the U.A.E. I remember riding a scooter for the first time. I remember eating the best food ever. I remember bombs rolling around on our decks. I remember pimentos being flicked on walls. I remember hanging out with Australians.