![]() |
|
| School/College Highlights - Novitiate of the Little Sisters of
the Assumption, Haverford, Pa.
Marriage and Family Highlights - In June 1965, I married Munir Choudry in Manhattan, after he completed his MBA, from NYU. Our daughter Chiara (ki-ar-a) was born August 1967. We divorced in 1973. In 1977, Chiara and I moved to Upper Montclair, NJ, following my engagement. In 1977, Tom and I went our separate ways, but she and I stayed on for many happy years. The Fabends were our neighbors. Homemaker and/or Career Highlights - In 1957, I worked for the Japanese Exporters Trade Association, in NYC. A year later I sailed aboard a Japanese freighter to Tokyo to teach English to Japanese businessmen and students. One was a classmate of the present Empress Michiko. Post-war Japan, still rising from the ashes, afforded me unimagined experiences and was one of the best years of my life. I left Japan on the P&O Oransay, bound for England, jumped ship in Melbourne, Australia, at the urging of two guys from Yale, who went "walk-about", while I found work (illegally) in a hospital, pharmacy, hotel and finally an insurance agency. I was called "The Yank" and learned to say "bloody right" and was something of an oddity to the Aussies. I doubt I 'd recognize Melbourne today Over the years in NYC, I worked in advertising, was Circulation Manager for two trade magazines, was a Headhunter specializing in Bi-linguals and three years ago began the best career of all - sales consultant for commercial and residential burglar alarm systems, in Central California. My office is now my car or sometimes a panel van. In a week I may drive hundreds of miles on roller coaster like roads, through canyons or along spectacular coastline. Climbing out of a truck at a construction site, dressed for Madison Avenue, is better than a business card! Certainly, beats a desk job. Travel/Vacation Highlights - In addition to all but four U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Eastern Canada, I have lived and/or visited, Italy, England, France, Germany, Holland, Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Bali, Australia, Malaya, India, Ceylon, Egypt and Pakistan. I've sailed (never a cruise) on nine ships, flown half way round the world on Pan Am One and driven across the U.S. six times. Experiencing a "perfect storm", en route to Japan, bobbing around in the Indian Ocean in a dinghy, riding horseback to the edge of an active volcano, riding camels, rickshaws, buses with live chickens and goats and finding a baby born in my kitchen, when I was out shopping were a little unusual I'll admit. One of my favorite memories occurred during two weeks in a hill station, high in the Himalayas, in northern Pakistan, where rain clouds often drift through the open windows, and the early morning rides on a beautiful Arabian stallion along terrifying precipices! My companion, with saddlebags and Pathan rifle slung across his back, would later receive the Nobel Prize for Physics; I thought he was just a dashing frontiersman. Next time I'll check credentials. Hobbies/Sports - Voracious reader, films (especially foreign} history (1916-45}, hiking, camping and flea markets. Civic/Church/Political Activities - 30 years as Lector/Eucharistic Minister, taught Sunday school, served on Parish Councils, small group leader, Steering Committee of Renew - the 300 member NYC chapter of a national organization for Separated and Divorced Catholics. Ambassador for the Pacific Grove, CA Chamber of Commerce. Achievements/Awards/Outstanding Events - T .V. four times, guest speaker on Tokyo radio program, extra in a Japanese movie, played "Hot Lips" on in-house radio version of 'MASH' in a veterans hospital. Nominated for president of Renew. Last year, won second prize (my division) national alarm sales. Subject of magazine article concerning raising a child without support. Anything at all that you may want to say - My life has been a "crazy quilt", nothing planned came to be, but adventures undreamed of, came to be. It's been a great ride. I am blest with loving family, treasured friends (old & new), good health and abundant optimism. I have wonderful memories of Nyack High and look forward to sharing them with former classmates. |