This was an activity on facebook where for 24 hours anyone could ask me any question and I had to be honest with my answer. Here are the questions and the answers ....
Q: How are you feeling as July 17th approaches? :)
A: Not as freaked out as I think I will be come January/February. We've pretty much got everything that we can get done...done. Just have to figure out centerpieces for the reception. I'm pretty good at planning events, plus I have a great book to guide me.
Q: when did you know your were gay?
A: Funny how I've gotten that question a couple of times today. Hmmmmm.
I started to be more aware of my same sex tendencies during middle school and high school. I didn't know what it was, but I knew it was different from what my other friends were experiencing. In addition, I was raised Southern Baptist, so I had a few issues to deal with as the Southern Baptist Convention isn't too keen on the "ho-mo-sexuls".
In classic form, I did have a huge crush on the captain of the football team. He's been my "type" all my life. sigh..... If only he were on facebook.
I came out to myself my senior year in college and then began to come out to friends and family during grad school. I'm happy to say that my family has been supportive of my life and love Matt.
Q: In college or grad school, did you have a secret crush(es) on anyone(s) we both knew and if so, who?
A: What an awesome question... OF COURSE I had a secret crush in college. Actually I had a few. The remainder of this answer has been redacted to protect the innocent.
Q: What's the most embarrassing question you've had to answer as part of this endeavor?
A: See previous question. :-)
Q: do you actually like teaching and why?
A; I do really enjoy the actual teaching part of the job. I love the feeling I get when a student understands a concept for the first time. I love the laughter that I experience when my students and I engage in the silliest conversations. I love working with my coworkers and sharing war stories. I love being able to share Washington D.C. with my students.
What I don't enjoy are the hoops that I have to jump through to satisfy the state for various things. I also wish people would understand that classrooms are a real world setting and not the idealized places that are often referred to by "experts". Guess what, we have kids with ADD, ADHD, students who come to school hungry, sleep deprived or burdened with having to help raise their brothers and sisters. We are juggling 20 things all at once. Ok, enough venting about that.
But overall I do enjoy my job. Sure there are days when I really don't wanna get out of bed, but I do and once the day starts, everything seems to get better. :-)
Q: Okay, if you could do anything on earth today without any negative repurcussions, regardless of money, distance, or any other limiting factor, what would you do?
A: Hmmm, this is a challenging one. I would love to travel to see the great monuments of the world (Great Wall, Machu Pichu, Angkor Wat, etc).
If it were a job, well the obvious choice for me would to be a police officer. Again, the coolest job that I don't have the intestinal fortitude for. But a boy can dream. :-)
Q: OK, really a two part! How did you meet Matt and define "engaged" since our government has yet to allow you your right to marry? Have a great rest of the week!!
A: Matt and I met the old fashioned way ---- newspaper personal ad. LOL I had just moved to Iowa City from Tallahassee and put an ad in the local independent newspaper. He answered, we chatted on the phone, met for dinner a few days later, and have been together ever since. :-)
We are officially engaged as Iowa does allow same-sex couples to marry. We have a progressive Supreme Court (7-0 decision) and it is very difficult to amend the state constitution!
Q: When did you decide you were gay and how did it happen?
A: For me being gay has never been a choice, it's just simply who I am. It wasn't an issue of one morning waking up and thinking, "hey, I think I'll like guys." I think as one grows up, they just become aware of what they are attracted to. I know there are people who believe that being gay is a choice, and I respect that belief. But I do ask them, "when did you decide that you were straight" or "if it were a choice, why would I decide to be something that carries such a stigma." The second question I don't use too often now-a-days.
