The Personal Stuff!
The Past
Born on July 27th, 1969, I lived all my life in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. I wanted to be an artist since childhood. Nice to be living the dream. I graduated from Ringling School of Art and Design as an Illustration major in 1990. In October of 1997 I married this cool guy Bill, after dating him for about 5 years.
Back in 2002 we bought a beautiful but totally trashed house in foreclosure and fixed it up. It's our sanctuary. We love it, and good thing, since it almost cost us our sanity! We live there very happily with our furry babies.
After knocking around in a series of jobs for which I was not a good fit, in 1997 I came to work as an adjunct professor at The International Academy of Design and Technology. Teaching computer graphics and design is a blast. In addition, I am both teaching and developing classes for our new On-line campus. I also do work as a freelance Illustrator/designer.
The Present
In my personal time I am a VORACIOUS reader, and an avid biker (the pedaling kind). I recently completed my second 100k ride for the American Diabetes Association. I study Buddhism as well, and meditate regularly. Oh and I love to take naps... loooong ones if I can get away with it.
The biggest, and craziest thing I'm doing right now, is finishing up my Masters Degree in Instructional Technology. After being out in the professional world for so long, making the jump back into school at 35 was a wee bit spooky for me. But now I am really into it. It's very empowering and fun to be a student again! I've already gained useful skills, of which this site, KUpmeyer.com, is an example. After many semesters of work, I am also nearing the end, and close to earning my degree.
Aside from grad school, teaching and freelance, I hang out with my family, friends and hubby, and my beloved and very spoiled pets. I read a LOT, meditate, bike a lot and love a good sci-fi or horror movie. I am a doting Aunt to my little niece and nephew. The Hubby and I are happily child-free DINKS except, of course, for our furry, four-footed babies.
The Future
Well, heck if I know. Once I've finished my M.Ed., well, who knows? I know I'll continue teaching since I love it, and will probably pursure opportunities in creating Distance Learning, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Anyway, I just hope to continue to get the most out of my life. OK, going to wrap this up now before it becomes to much of an Oprah moment.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kerstin Upmeyer
Revised August 14, 2007
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How
Bill and I met, and Married
(warning, sappy!)
