T. Mama

I've lost count of how many bio-blurbs I've written. I always try to come up with new ways of re-stating the same facts, but I'm running out of ideas.

I graduated from high school in 1997 and began working towards a Bachelor's Degree. By May of 2000, I had earned an Associate's Degree in General Studies, having majored in English, Music, and Business. 

In February of 2001, I moved to Asheville, NC, where I worked in a retail music store selling various music accessories and band instruments. I loved living in that area, but due to circumstances beyond my control I had to move back to my home state of Mississippi in November of the same year.

In January of 2002 I went back to school part-time to finish my B.A. True to form, my major continued to change--first Public Relations, then English Education, and finally, by my third semester I ended up right back where I started, working towards a B.A. in English. Fortunately, the majority of courses I took those first two semesters were core requirements, and the non-core courses counted as electives.

This pursuit has become more of an odyssey than I ever would have imagined. Since going back to school I have worked full time, been married and divorced, and moved twice. I originally thought I was going to graduate in December of 2006; I had been advised I had completed all the requirements for graduation, but after a degree audit I discovered my advisor had overlooked nine hours of electives that didn't transfer. It's an understatement to say that this was something of a train wreck. This was the only time I ever seriously considered abandoning my academic pursuit, and I only entertained the notion for a weekend at most.

I'll be finishing my B.A. course requirements this fall with a Creative Nonfiction course, about which I am extremely excited. I also have to pass a CLEP exam next spring to get my last six hours of foreign language credit.

I'm a full-time employee at a state healthcare institution; I work in medical billing and believe it or not, I enjoy it. I have the privilege of working in an excellent department with a great group of people, and although most people would find what I do to be extremely boring, I find it downright enjoyable compared to most other jobs I've had. I think my meticulous nature and attention to detail serve me well in this particular field.

I'd like to continue my education, eventually earning a Ph.D. and teaching literature at a college level, but after six years of full-time work and part-time school, I'm ready for a break.

Music is my passion and the people dear to me (or "Dear Ones," as they have become known) are my world. My hobbies are reading, writing, singing, seeing live music, spending time with friends, tromping about outdoors when the weather is nice, and watching movies and TV shows on DVD.

I have eclectic taste in everything.  If there's anything else you'd like to know about me, just ask.