Alison Gingras:
CLASS OF 1998
Lake Travis High SchoolClass of 1998
Austin, TX
University of California - EnglishClass of 2009
Berkeley, CA
Feather River Community CollegeClass of 2007
Quincy, CA
Austin Community CollegeClass of 2000
Austin, TX
University of North TexasClass of 1998
Denton, TX
Alison's Story
Life
Ok, so, I should be reading right now, but I just came back from freezing my ass off at the outdoor California Shakespeare Theater, spending my time watching "King Lear," so I suppose I deserve a break and some warming up! After high school, I went straight to The University of North Texas and came home to Austin every weekend to party, receiving a lowly 2.57 GPA for my first semester. Needless to say, I did not waste my parent's money after that! I went to ACC for two semesters, only gaining 10 units and a 4.0. I was just burned out. I decided to take a break and in many ways I am glad that I did. I experienced much of what life has to offer, obstacles included. I worked for Wells Fargo Bank for four years, waited tables to afford my party habits, and even worked for a law firm for six months. Shawny had moved to Greenville, California in 2003. Wanting to help me out of my situation and being such a good friend, she got me a job at a coffee shop in downtown Greenville (pop. 2000), flying to Texas to get me. I made the move, getting away from a hardcore relationship with a broke, drummer asshole, and made the most beautiful trek to California (we drove through NM, CO, UT and NV to get to CA)! I will never forget the day that I rolled into the Plumas National Forest! AAAHHHHHH! I was home! The natural beauty of that area surpasses any other I have witnessed yet. Picture this...rivers flowing by roadside's edge, curving through the mountain sides; valleys showing hawk's flight into one conifer or another; bald eagle's nests in trees beside lake's reflection of snow-capped horizon; air cleaner than a sheet on a clothesline and water more tasty and crisp than a frozen coconut bar. I lived among the Ma...Expand for more
idu Indians - the old mining towns - the railroad. I was inspired to achieve inner light and love among the atmospheric beauty that became my home. It was in this beautiful place that I was able to grow and discover my voice again; singing for the awaiting ear and allowing my inner peace to be made; writing my thoughts at last. I also decided on a path in life. I was going to be a teacher! I started attending classes as a Liberal Studies major at Feather River College in 2004. I actually graduated in 2006, but stayed an extra year because I wasn't ready to leave yet and I could take some transferrable classes still. I was paid to go to school in California! Yes, I am still being paid! I never thought that anything of the sort was possible, but California has an amazing college education system! At FRC, I was able to become a star in their universe. I became President of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society, worked as a tutor, won scholarships and awards, and became a respected voice in class, whom most teachers desired. My hard work paid off and I was recently accepted to U.C. Berkeley's English department on scholarship! I am loving life in Berkeley and taking full advantage of the resources at hand. There is so much for me to explore in this life and that exploration has only just begun! I am not getting any younger, so I plan on the PhD being finished in the next 6-8 years and then I can think about a family, but not until I travel the world and teach English in Spain, Greece, Japan, Korea, or any other country that I wish! The world is in the palm of my hand, I need only to nourish and protect it, learning every step of the way! May you all have many a beautiful day and thanks for reading about my way!
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