The days last forever, but the years fly by.

My time in high school

Attended high school in the
1990s

Overall high school experience
5/10. It was what it was. Sometimes it sucked a lot and sometimes it was great.

Grades in high school
C's and below. I sucked at test taking and math in general. My grades were all over the place though. I always got A's in English, Science, and most of my electives. Everything else was a painful struggle and I hated it!

 

Favorite subjects
English, Science

Struggled with...
History and Math were equally painful. History was just boring and math and I still don't get along.


Life since high school

It’s an amazing crazy humbling experience to give birth. I had to learn that not everything goes as you planned...That even if things don’t go the way you want it’s much better to except and embrace the change rather than push against it.

Attended college / university at
I went to Foothill then transferred to San Jose State after two years.

Majored in
My major was early childhood education.

Places lived in US
Washington

Current occupations / past occupations
Currently I am a stay at home mom and I also teach life science classes to preschool and pre-K aged children. In the past I was an infant teacher, preschool/pre-K teacher, and Nanny.

Industries I've worked in
- Educational Services

Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
Yes.

Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
No, not really. I kinda always knew what I wanted to do since my early childhood. 


A little introspection...

To me, being successful means...
Doing something you love that hopefully makes enough money to pay the bills.

My definition of success has not changed over time. 

My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
Having children. It's an amazing crazy humbling experience to give birth. I had to learn that not everything goes as you planned. That you have to learn to adapt and except what the reality of a situation is vs the ideals of what you thought it should and would be like. That even if things don't go the way you want it's much better to except and embrace the change rather than push against it. 

My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
I used to lie a lot and ended up hurting/losing friends in the process. I don't lie anymore. I absolutely hate it. 

An unexpected event that significantly changed my life and how it impacted me
My freshman year of high school I was raped by a senior. It happened on campus after school was out. Only about four people know about it. My husband and three close adult friends. It took me ten years to tell a single person. It has impacted my life in every way possible and I honestly think it's part of the reason I used to lie so much about my life. It completely changed how I saw the world and who I was and am as a person.


This alumni is open to your questions and follow-ups.
In order to protect anonymity, we will pass along your message and they can choose whether to respond.


My favorite spot in or around Palo Alto

Technically it was Mountain View. Bay City Coffee