I know what your saying Lee. When people find out that I actually took a
job that pays 580 American bucks a month, they were shocked! But it paid
me more than Ecuador! I have everything I need and more...By
Chinese standards I am very well off. So it's all relative...

Nice to meet you too Ms Teddy...no worries!

i have nothin either......and i like it

Would you say September 11th was the
'defining' moment for you, JJ?

Was it hard to do?

Shelley said she applauds your courage...was it courage?

I wonder...did it feel like courage? or stripping away the pre-conceived
notion of who you thought you were?

Crazysillygirl, sorry, I can't remember your name, I feel a little
rude...

You have nothing? or do you have everything?

Everything you require?

Like JJ's two suitcases?

I believe I am defined by the things I create -- the stories, the
essays, the music, the ideas, expressions of an innate and inherent
identity. Those are the true reality.

I cannot be defined by what I own. I cannot be defined as an adjunct to
another person. I cannot be defined by anyone else's expectations or
stereotypes.

As much as "they" like to pigeonhole and oversimplify, "their" results
are always going to be tragically incomplete and inaccurate.

Well spoken, Lex.

And how I feel now, as to who I am, how I define me.

I thought of a word that defines Jess......

WOMBAT!

Eats roots and leaves?

Tunnels underground, perambulating around the forest, minding it's own
business, Allen?

Umm....yeah sure! You umm...dig tunnels in your garden...and umm...you
eat veggies I assume so theres your roots and grass. You don't really
mind your own business, but thats ok, cause you don't step on people's
toes either

I don't define me, I just am me.

Yes Lee, September 11th was a very defining moment for me...sitting
there in that office, with all my co-workers watching it unfold...Hadn't
seen my sons in over a year, hadn't had the time...couldn't remember
when the last time I had just had dinner with a friend...as I had no
friends...didn't have time...
My house echoed in it's silence that night...
I thought to myself, if it was me in one of those towers, what would I
have left behind in memories. Would my sons be proud because I had a
fancy house and gobs of toys. Would I be remembered to my grandchildren
as such a person. Is that what I wanted?
And coming from a very poor background with my own mother only leaving
the reservation at 9 years old, the memories she left me with, were
certainly not ones of material things....but the picnics at the beach,
her getting her car stuck in the ocean...us watching as the Pacific ate
it up. She had spirit, and although poor, her spirit was huge...that's
what I was left with...and grateful for it...
Was it hard to make the choice...not at all...was painless...unlike the
days that I had spent before...worrying and stressed out over
meaningless issues...not able to sleep at night...
It was an easy choice...and that's what it's about...choice

Yes. It is.

(The emoticons are not enough to show the tears, and the smile, that you
invoke in me, JJ)

My relationship with God, and my human brothers and sisters define me.

Thank you Lee! At times the things you have written
evoking the same in me...it's nice to know a kindred spirit as
you

fairness, rebel, humor = A I R

My strength...and my weakness.

My independence...and my reliance.

My faith...and my questions.

My courage...and my fear.

My certainty...and my doubt.

My love...and my pain.

my profile.. did not want to type it twice..

Hmmmm, I think my actions define me. More so than any thoughts, material
expressions, or nomenclature used to define - it is my actions that
truly express who I am. Actions don't lie, and if you pay close
attention to them, they even express intent.

At one time I had it all...and I was the most miserable and screwed up I
have ever been....mentally, emotionally and physically....I drank, I
drugged, I sliced and diced....I hit bottom and hit it hard...lost it
all...I have just what I need now, I have my son, my family, friends and
the love of a good honest man...what I was before does not define me any
more..what I am now defines me..I am poet, mother,sister,friend,lover,I
try my best to better my part of the earth and world..I am alive