Diana Tabbi:  

When I was in school I was a very quiet girl and somewhat of a loner because I was raised by two very strict old-fashioned Italian/Sicilian parents and I was not allowed to date (until I was in college) or go to any sporting events except for the football games - which I LOVED. But I could only attend the games if I worked at them as a Lettergirl selling programs or something like that. Even then, they were in the car right outside of the football field waiting to hear the final bell - then I had only 5 minutes to get to the car OR ELSE ! ! ! After I graduated from Cleveland I went to Pierce College to get my Associates Degree -- and start dating --- and I had a great time. No more wallflower. I learned to dance and 1 week after I turned 21 yrs old (required by strict Italian families - to live at home until you were a legal adult, that is) I got my own apartment and a good job with Litton Industries. Then I discovered the "Bourbon Square" in Van Nuys - Victory & Sepulveda - where I danced 8 nights a week. If nothing else it kept me in great shape (Size 3) and gave me a LIFE. I suddenly had a lot of new friends to spend my evenings and week-ends with & who invited me to parties. And many of these wonderful people became lifetime friends. I myself, am now divorced. My marriage only lasted for 4 years because I am a little obsessive about paying things off so as not to have money worries (bill collectors on our back), but my husband was great for saying "just charge it honey and I'll pay the bill" (since they were my credit cards). Then when the bills arrived he always had something else he wanted to spend his money on saying "Hey, the bills will still be there next month, but...Expand for more