Merry Christmas everyone! Today December 25, we have a birthday girl who is also a
Christmas Angel. Isn’t that fabulous!
Corina Carrasco has been a member of gather since Aug 16, 2006. She lives in Santa Rosa,
California with her 16 year old daughter. Her 21 year old daughter lives nearby and attends
Sonoma State University. She also have a 24 year old son who lives about an hour and a half
away from her. Corina says, “No grandkids. I absolutely forbade it till I am at least 55!”
Corina was a stay at home mom until her divorce in 1993 when she began working in schools,
as a substitute teacher then as a full time teacher. She has taught grades 3 through 7. Sixth grade
is her favorite to teach. In January of 2002 she was in a car accident and I have not been able
to return to work since then.
Corina tells us, “I have always loved to write. I still have some of my stories from when I was
in fifth grade! I write mostly memoir but recently finished my first novel during the National
Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). I still have to edit it but I am happy with what I did!
When I was in college I had some of my stories and poems published in the school literary
magazine. Later, in the 90's, I was editor in chief of a regional literary magazine in southern
California. I had a number of my stories and poems published in that. I’ve also had a lot of
my stuff published online on different sites and blogs.
I have always needed to express myself and in my case, the only way I could do that was
through writing. I come from a very large family. I had six siblings so it was easy to get lost
in the shuffle. Writing became my outlet.”
Corina’s hobbies are very simple it is: Writing. Writing. Writing. She also enjoys working
with Paint Shop Pro and Animation Shop to create tags and animations for various groups online.
She loves to sit inside and listen to the rain falling outside. She also loves to listen to thunder
and watch lightning.
Corina is short and I hates it when people keep pointing it out to her, as if she didn’t already
know how short she is duh! She also hates it when people put their elbow on her shoulder
as if I were a shelf!
Corina explains the social issues that concern her the most:
I am really concerned about the lack of quality, affordable health care in the United States. I
have no insurance. I am also diabetic, have injuries to my back, neck and shoulder, and suffer
from clinical depression. I cannot go to the doctor because I probably don’t qualify for
assistance and if I go to the doctor, the cost will be exorbitant and I won’t be able to meet
my other expenses. I live off of spousal support.
I also worry about the elderly, especially the ones that are all alone with no families or anyone
to care about them or for them. The homeless population is rapidly growing in our country and
does not appear to have a solution at the moment. And being a former teacher, I am more than
aware of the inconsistency of quality education in this country. We need to spend more money
at home, in our schools, on our youth, if things in the world are ever going to change.
An important event that has already transpired in her life was:
”About six years ago, I was at a really low point in my life. I got an email from an old high school
friend that I had lost touch with in 1975. It was a wonderful surprise and the friendship we have
shared since then has changed my life significantly. This friend made me see the value in my own
life and made me want to fight my problems to improve myself.”
Corina would love to have my writing published to the general mainstream public.
Corina also tells us, “As far as a birthday memory, I have (almost) always felt pretty special
to have my birthday on Christmas Day. I think it has made me a happy person and it has made
me want to be a thoughtful and giving person. As a child, I thought that the whole world was
celebrating and happy on my birthday. That was a pretty special feeling. When I grew up and
saw the error of that belief, I was saddened but it also made me appreciate a lot of things more
than when I was a child. I like sharing my birthday with anyone that celebrates Christmas.”
”As far as a birthday wish coming true, I think I would just like for people to pause and think
of their blessings and be happy...even if it is for just a day...be happy.”
You can get to know more about Corina by visiting these links:
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976846995
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976845198 (This is my 100
Things About Me List)
To Janelle, I know this is short notice, but if you can find Corina’s music selection she
would be a very happy birthday girl.
”I would like to have a nice copy of Frank Zappa’s Watermelon In Easter Hay. It is one of
his most beautiful instrumentals. “
Happy Birthday and a very Merry Christmas to our birthday/Christmas Angel. Let us all try
to make her birthday wish come true and be happy!
Note to the birthday club members. If you have not yet submitted your birthday dates to
me please to so. I need to prepare well enough in advance. Furthemore, when I send
you the questions to do your celebration I need to have them back, at least one day
prior to your birthday.
Carol Roach: winterose.gather.com
The birthday Club:
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Comments: 33
My birthday is very close to Mother's day (sometimes on Mother's day) and I hate it. I always feel like I get shafted.
Write on! You will heal from your car accident, though it may take several years. I had a skull fracture in '93 and it took 10 years. I had been working full time with two young children but lost my foothold in journalism and am building my skills and resume to return to that field.
I loved your Christmas story, btw !
I hope your birthday was spectacular! You are one of those very special Christmas presents delivered on the day!
My brothers used to tease and say that my mother couldn't return me as a Christmas present!
We have several things in common. Starting with the fact that we both live in Santa Rosa! Isn't that cool?