Karen Austen sapan:  

Life I have been happily married to a Clinical psychologist for over 4 decades......As an old Feminist, I have retained my maiden name....As I have mentioned in my announcement I loathed high school.....I am a right-brained, creative, and introverted person who was not in a learning environment which embraced my skills and talents at Erasmus.....Life began for me after high school.....I began my journey after high school by working as a photographers model....I saved money from my modeling jobs to travel throughout Europe and do Easy rider trips alone around the United States....I knew I would go back to college after I found myself by working and traveling.....I became very interested in health, fitness, vegetarianism, wellness.....I stopped smoking, became a Vegetarian and a long distance runner.....I travelled to yoga ashrams and studied Yoga....I became a Yoga Instructor in 1973.....At the age of 24 I went back to college....I received a B.A. cum laude from Brooklyn College in 1972 and an M.A. degree in Speech and Theatre in 1974.....I taught Yoga and Speech and Theatre for many years....A friend gave me a gift certificate for a Massage in 1979....It was my first time having a professional massage...I loved it...I then went to the Swedish Institute to study Massage Therapy....I graduated from the Swedish Institute and passed the state boards to become a Licensed Massage Therapist....I also became certified as a Consulting Hypnotist.....I became active in Animal Rights....I like 4-legged animals more than their 2-legged counterparts.....My husband and I began rescuing dogs and cats...Presently I have 2 canines and 5 felines.....We lived all over the country...In the early 1980's we moved to the coast of Maine where we purchased a passive solar contemporary house with 2 fenced-in acres where cats and dogs can roam free.....In the 1990's I went back to graduate school to get a second Master's degree in Adult Education....I also became certified to administer the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory....I am an INFP.....I have had a private practice in Massage Therapy for over 30 years...Besides practicing Massage Therapy I still teach Hatha Yoga classes, do hypnotherapy part time and am a published writer in my field....My hobbies are liberal politics, calligraphy, weight training, animal rights, writing professionally....I look at life as a journey....The destination is insignificant....I try to live in the moment....I am a Buddhist....We plan to move to Northern Arizona in a few years....I have always marched to my own drummer....I do not like parties, crowds and large groups....I embrace my solitude....I have many friends....But I enjoy my friends only one-on-one....yes, I am an introvert who enjoys my space......I live a very pure life....I do not smoke..I do not drink...I do not take drugs (not even aspirin)....I keep my life simple and do the things which bring me pleasure and bring pleasure to friends, family, clients, students, and my adopted 4-legged friends....I am mellow and assertive......I speak with a Maine accent....I love films and eating at Thai and Japanese restaurants....I enjoy writing (as you can see)....Introverts like me prefer to express themselves through writing...You will not find me at a cocktail or dinner party......I will express myself in an extroverted way in writing....I am athletic and fit.....I used to do long distance running...I now have a home gym where I work out with weight machines and I practice yoga and meditation daily....Politics is my passion...I would describe myself as a liberal/libertarian....I do not understand how George W. Bush had been president for 8 years....In 2000 he was selected, not elected. I am joyful that Barack Obama is our 44th President .(We finally have high Intelligence in the White House). I will always remember November 4, 2008 when I heard that Barack Obama received 365 electoral votes..I said to myself "America finally got it right. I will always remember my tears of jubilation on that magical election day..." I have evolved from the rebellious student at Erasmus hall high school who spent her time cutting classes because she was bored with the robotic style of the teachers..Peace and Love to you all.....If you want to see PHOTOS of how I look at age 20, 30, 40, and NOW please view my FACEBOOK PAGE----Karen Austen School .My happiest memories happened outside of school--not in school......If I had to do it all over again I would be home-schooled or would have attended the High School for the Performing Arts.....I was talented in Dance and in Mime......Erasmus might have been a wonderful school experience for many---but for me it was Draconian......I needed to be in a school environment which embraced the performing arts and Writing......I do not have ...Expand for more