Well, it HAS been awhile, hasn't it?

I've been getting lots of questions about what I'm up to lately, so I thought I'd post a little update for those who are interested.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What are you up to, Tara?
A: Quite a lot - thanks for asking! Please read on for details...

Q: I heard you were leaving Stockton - is it true?!?!
A: Why yes, it IS true. My last day is May 6, so if you happen to be around campus, stop by and say Aloha!

Q: But aren't you sad about leaving?
A: I am. But as a wise person once said, all good things must come to an end. I have enjoyed my 10 years there, but it's time to give someone else a shot at the job.

Q: What will you do for food?!
A: I will most likely continue to eat a lot of apples and drink a lot of coffee. I don't expect my leaving Stockton will change that at all.

Q: But how will you PAY for food?
A: With money, which of course I will earn at all my other endeavors. If not, there's always scavenging (a highly underutilized and under-appreciated form of sustenance).

Q: I heard you were building a business - is it true?
A: Yes, it is. I've been a freelancer for more than eight years but I just officially registered with the state. It's called Triple Threat Freelancing, LLC and I'm working on my website right now (www.triplethreatfreelancing.com).

Q: But what will you do in the meantime? Businesses aren't built in a day!
A: True, but I've got it covered. I've been working with a wonderful nonprofit and a fantastic small business, and I plan to continue doing that for some time.

Q: What's the nonprofit?
A: New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NJCASA; www.njcasa.org); I'm the new AmeriCorps Coordinator.

Q: What's the small business?
A: The Philadelphia International Music Festival (PIMF; www.pimf.org); I do a bit of everything.

Q: Anything else?
A: I have some writing and editing contracts here and there. But they're top-secret...for now. And I'm an adjunct at Atlantic Cape Community College - I believe I may be teaching a couple of classes at Stockton in the fall, too.

Q: But what about medical school? Didn't you say you were going to do that?
A: Yes - yes, I did. Plans have changed slightly, though.

Q: WHAAAATTTTT?! After all that nonsense about changing direction and becoming a world-famous neurologist?
A: I've changed direction again and have decided to pursue a doctorate in neuropsychology, which will allow me to do the same type of work without the time and expense of medical school.

Q: What made you decide that?
A: I'm turning 30 this year. I've been taking stock of my life and what's important to me lately and I realized that I don't want to miss out on my marriage and family for the next ten years.

Q: OK, well that all sounds okay. Will we still hear from you?
A: Yes. I never really go away - I'm like the plague that way (you know, except for the whole fleas-on-rats thing).

t.