1986 – 2001 – Santa Cruz
Well, my Santa Cruz adventure started with a big bang. Just two weeks after my arrival we had the Loma Prieta earthquake. Here I am cleaning up the mess. But that did not deter me from the wonderful feeling of freedom and happiness I was having. For the first time I allowed myself a one year off from work or any obligations to do whatever my heart desired. And of course the first thing to do was to get a convertible Mustang to travel in.
That was a fun time, traveling all over California from Yosemite to San Diego and venturing into Mexico. I took several courses offered by UCSC and UCSB as well as some new age spiritual trainings that nourished my mind and soul. I also challenged myself by learning how to scuba dive as although I am a good swimmer I am afraid to be under water. I also went skydiving, walked on coals and did rebar bending on throat with a partner.
Note I ‘cheated’ with this picture. I removed my tandem instructor to give it a more dramatic look 😉
It was a wonderful time and also a bit lonely as I missed my children who at the time did not want to come with me to the U.S. and I did not know anyone here. One day, when I was feeling a bit sorry for myself, I got a surprise in the mail. My aunt Verona from Romania sent me a postcard my Dad had sent me when I was two years old. He was in Italy at the time and we had not yet joined him. That post card really had a strong effect on me, it was as if he was reaching out to be with me.
After my year of freedom I started to work for Robert Dilts‘ Behavioral Engineering, a software company using NLP concepts to create interactive computer products for education, training and personal development. At the time Robert was also developing Mind Master – a unique computer interface utilizing the electrical activity of the skin to allow the computer to respond to a person’s thought patterns aimed to help the handicapped.
I then worked for the software company, Borland for a few years and after that managed the office of the NLP Institue of CA.
In 1996 I met George Pór and we got married in 1997. I worked with him for his company, Community Intelligence Labs. One of the most exciting things we did at the time was to create the very first international online conference, in partnership with Lisa Kimball. We had over 500 participants.
George introduced me to the Ehama Institute founded by RainbowHawk and WindEagle who taught Native American wisdom for self development. That is where I got the name of Singing Heart. This picture is from our Native American style wedding.
Rainbow Hawk and WindEagle
Under the guidance of RainbowHawk and WindEagle we did a two-year Council Guide Training. I am so very grateful for that training as I am who I am today thanks to what I learned and continue to learn based on the ancient wisdom we were taught by these two amazing beings.
Unfortunately our marriage did not last and George and I got divorced in 1999.
It was a good thing for both of us as it allowed each of us to meet new partners we were more compatible with.
After our divorce I started teaching online facilitation with the wonderful, fun, Nancy White. We were quite the trailblazers back then.
I also made time for being on my own and figuring out what I wanted to do next. I had a dog at the time and took long walks on the beach which inspired the following little poem which describes my inquiring mood of that time:
Just Strolling
I’m walking my dog, just strolling
I leave my work and the ‘have to’ behind
I bring my heart and my soul
I’m just strolling, what will I find?
We’re all out here on the beach walking
Me, my dog, my heart and my soul
We’re just wandering about
We’re strolling, without any goal
A man and his dog pass us by, jogging
We wonder, my heart, my soul and I
As we stroll here on the beach
What else is passing us by?
I’m walking my dog, just strolling
Someone, the ‘doer’, has been left behind
So, strolling out here with the dog
On the beach, who is this ‘I”?
A child by the sea, laughing and playing
Imprints of her little feet in the wet sand
They draw patterns of steps yet to be taken
A future untold, is it planned?
Playful questions, just floating
Teasing my mind with some fun
What does the sky taste like?
And what is the smell of the sun?
I’m walking my dog, just strolling
With the taste of the sky and the smell of the sun,
The past, future, the dog, my heart and my soul,
The man, the child, the doer and I, we are all ONE